Snowy white divinity that simply melts in your mouth. This is my Daughter-In-Law Christie's favorite Christmas candy. Divinity is not hard to make but it does take a little time and patience; assemble all the ingredients before starting, and use a candy thermometer to bring the sugar mixture to the correct temperature. Be sure to beat the candy mixture until it is no longer smooth and shiny; this takes awhile so don’t give up and you will be rewarded with perfect Divinity.

Ingredients:

Candy:

2 large egg whites

2½ cups granulated sugar

½ cup light corn syrup

½ cup water

¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Optional Add-ins:

• Traditional Divinity: ½ cup walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped, or
  
  
• Cranberry Divinity: ½ cup walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped and ½ cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped, or
  
  
• Christmas Divinity: ½ cup red or green candied cherries, coarsely chopped, or
  
  
• Halloween Divinity: ½ cup orange gumdrops, coarsely chopped and 5 drops orange food coloring, or
  
  
• Valentine Divinity: ½ cup crushed peppermint candies with 2 drops red food coloring.

Directions:

1. Line a large baking sheet with wax paper. Set aside.
   
   Candy:
   
2. In a large bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Set aside.
   
   
3. In a medium heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt; stir until sugar is dissolved and the mixture comes to a boil.
   
   
4. Clip a candy thermometer to the inside of the pan, raise the heat to medium-high, and continue to cook without stirring. The sugar mixture will cook until it reaches a temperature of 260 degrees F.
   
   
5. As the temperature reaches 245 to 250 degrees F, continue beating the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
   
   
6. When the sugar mixture reaches 260 degrees F, remove the pan from the heat. Immediately start pouring the hot sugar mixture, in a thin steady stream, into the egg whites, while beating with an electric mixer at high speed.
   
   
7. Slowly add the vanilla. Continue beating at high speed until the divinity changes from a smooth shiny texture to a rough dull texture. This can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. As soon as the texture changes to the rough dull texture, quickly stir in one of the optional add-ins of your choice.
   
   
8. Quickly drop divinity by heaping tablespoonfuls onto the wax paper.
   Let the divinity set until cooled, then peel away from the wax paper.
   
   
9. Divinity can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about one week.
   
   Makes about 24 pieces
   
   TheBakingPan.com