Easy Divinity Candy Recipe (2024)

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This easy Divinity Candy recipe is made in one big pan, like fudge, instead of using the drop candy method. Make homemade divinity the easier way. Perfect for gifting!

Easy Divinity Candy Recipe (1)

What Is Divinity Candy?

Chances are that if you live in the South, like I do, then a plate of Divinity will be on your candy table. (You do have a table designated just for cookies and candies, right?) We have other desserts, usually a pecan pie and a chocolate pie, but it’s not complete for me without some rich chocolate fudge, maybe a little cracker toffee, and a plate of divinity.

My mom’s grandmother made Divinity every year at Christmas. Knowing now how it’s made, I can’t imagine my great-grandmother in the kitchen whisking this furiously by hand without the help of a stand mixer. My mom started making it years ago and my dad fell in love with it. It has graced our candy table at Christmastime ever since.

This year she tried a new recipe that made the whole process even easier. Traditional Divinity is spooned into little mounds and topped with pecan halves. That method is too stressful for me. The Divinity continues to stiffen as you make the mounds and is dry before you finish. Nobody likes flat, dry Divinity.

With this recipe, you pour the entire batch into a pan so that it can set and be cut into individual squares to your liking, similar to fudge. We are Divinity purists and never add pecans to ours (fudge either, for that matter). Divinity should be creamy, smooth, soft… it almost reminds me of marshmallow fluff in fudge form.

Easy Divinity Candy Recipe (2)

What’s Needed for Divinity?

To make this Divinity fudge recipe, you’ll need the following basic ingredients:

  • Granulated sugar
  • Water
  • Corn syrup
  • Egg whites
  • Salt
  • Vanilla extract

How to Make Divinity

  1. Combine sugar, water, and corn syrup in a heavy saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Cook until the syrup reaches the firm ball stage (about 250° to 265°F on a candy thermometer).
  3. While the syrup is cooking, beat the egg whites with salt until stiff.
  4. Gradually add half the syrup to the egg whites.
  5. Return the remaining syrup to the stove until boiling again, then gradually beat the remainder into the egg whites.
  6. Mix in the vanilla, then pour into a parchment paper-lined 9×9-inch baking dish.
  7. Let cool completely before slicing.

How to Store Divinity Candy

This Divinity dessert should be stored in an airtight container that’s been lined with wax paper. It will last up to 2 weeks.

Easy Divinity Candy Recipe (4)

Tips for Making This Divinity Candy Recipe

  • Don’t make it on a humid or rainy day. Probably part truth and part wives’ tale, southerners swear you shouldn’t make divinity while it’s raining. The candy won’t set up.
  • Beat the eggs with the whisk attachment and then switch to the paddle when it’s time to add the syrup. The paddle cuts down on splatter!
  • Use a heat diffuser when making candy. A diffuser helps eliminate hot spots and evens the heat surface. Affiliate link: this is the Cast Iron Heat Diffuser we use.
  • Make a parchment paper sling for easy removal from the pan. To make a parchment paper sling: cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the length of your pan. Leave enough parchment so that there are a few inches extra coming out of the pan – so it looks like wings. You aren’t trying to cover the entire pan (all sides) just the bottom and two sides to create the “sling” for easy lifting.

More Easy Christmas Treats:

  • Rocky Road Candy Bars
  • Easy Chocolate Truffles
  • Cinnamon Sugar Pecans
  • Chocolate Almond Candy
  • Chocolate-Dipped Peppermint Sticks

Easy Divinity Candy Recipe (5)

Divinity Candy

3.82 from 50 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 batch

Calories: 2365kcal

Author: Emily Grace

Ingredients

  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup corn syrup
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Butter a 9×9-inch pan and line with a parchment paper sling for ease of removal. Butter the parchment paper as well; set aside.

  • Combine sugar, water, and corn syrup in a heavy saucepan over medium heat.Continue cooking this mixture until the syrup reaches the firm ball stage, about 250° to 265°F on a candy thermometer. (It should be firm to the touch but still able to be flattened slightly when a small ball of syrup is dropped in cold water.)

  • While syrup is cooking, beat egg whites with salt until stiff.

  • Gradually add half the syrup to the egg whites, beating constantly.

  • Return the remaining syrup to the stove until boiling again, then gradually beat the remainder into the egg whites until dry (no longer shiny).

  • Beat in the vanilla just until combined.

  • Pour into prepared pan and allow to cool. Cut into squares when firm with a sharp, thin-bladed knife sprayed with cooking spray to make clean cuts.

Notes

Please note the nutritional facts are for the entire batch and individual servings will depend on the size of the squares you cut.

Nutrition

Serving: 1batch | Calories: 2365kcal | Carbohydrates: 600g | Protein: 6g | Sodium: 1278mg | Potassium: 97mg | Sugar: 599g | Iron: 0.3mg

Did you make this recipe? Mention @GraceGoodEats or tag #graceandgoodeats!

Easy Divinity Candy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is divinity candy made of? ›

Divinity is a confection made from egg whites, corn syrup, and sugar. It's similar to nougat, fudge, or marshmallow. Tip: replace the sugar with brown sugar to create "sea foam." Other ingredients can be used to give the candy other tastes, like chopped dried fruit and chopped nuts.

Why is divinity hard to make? ›

As sugar attracts water, any humidity or moisture in the air can affect how your divinity turns out. Divinity should be dry and set within two hours, but have patience.

What is the difference between meringue and divinity candy? ›

In a meringue, the sugar syrup is cooked to about 240°F or until the sugar forms a soft, malleable ball when a spoonful is dropped in cold water. For divinity, the sugar is taken a bit further to 250°F (or the firm ball stage) where it can hold more structure.

What is the difference between nougat and divinity? ›

The only difference between making nougat and making Divinity, I saw, was that nougat requires that after blending beaten egg whites without about half of your hard-ball-stage syrup, you heat the rest to near hard-crack before blending it in. So the Divinity process is basically an easier version of the nougat process.

Why is my divinity chewy? ›

Corn Syrup – This is added to stop the sugar from crystalizing giving you a very smooth, chewy texture that's not grainy. Sugar – White granulated sugar is the best for this recipe, avoid brown sugar or it'll affect both the taste and look of the divinity.

Is divinity the same as marshmallow? ›

Old fashioned divinity is a vintage recipe for a meringue-based candy that I would describe as somewhere between fudge (even though there is no chocolate in most divinity, it is often even referred to as Divinity Fudge), nougat, and marshmallow.

Why can't you make divinity on a rainy day? ›

High humidity hastens the breakdown of sugar as it cools. Once the candy has cooled to the point where it can no longer evaporate moisture, it can actually begin to reabsorb moisture. This produces a softer product than may be desirable.”

How long can you store divinity candy? ›

Divinity candy stays fresh even at room temperature for 10 to 14 days. The heat from the sugar syrup removes the danger of the egg content spoiling. To store the divinity candy, line an airtight storage container with wax paper.

Why does divinity fail? ›

You can't make it if it is "too" humid or if it's raining. The moisture in the air will keep the candy from setting and drying properly.

Why is my divinity not fluffy? ›

There could be several reasons that your divinity did not turn out fluffy: The syrup was not at the right temperature when it was added to the egg whites. The egg white and syrup mixture was not beaten long enough. The humidity was too high.

Do you refrigerate divinity? ›

Store the divinity at room temperature in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Make sure the environment is not humid, as excess moisture in the air will make the candy sticky.

Why is divinity candy called divinity? ›

The name “divinity” is thought to have originated from the candy's light and airy texture, which is reminiscent of the divine or heavenly.

Why is my divinity crumbly? ›

Beat until candy holds its shape, 5-6 minutes. (Do not overmix or candy will get stiff and crumbly.)

Can you freeze divinity candy? ›

Long-term storage:

For longer storage, you can freeze the divinity candy. Place the candy in an airtight freezer-safe container lined with wax paper.

Is divinity supposed to be soft? ›

Divinity, whether made the old fashioned way, or using a shortcut, should never be hard or dry and brittle, or grainy and clumpy looking, but light, airy and with a creamy, soft bite.

What is the difference between fudge and divinity? ›

Typically known as "divinity," this fudge is unlike your average. This is because it's a fluffy white or artificially tinted fudge. Whereas traditional fudge is made from your usual baking ingredients (sugar, butter, milk and cream) -- divinity is created out of sugar, corn syrup, egg whites, and artificial flavoring.

Is divinity a type of nougat? ›

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Divinity is a nougat-like confection made with whipped egg white, corn syrup, and sugar. Optional ingredients such as flavors, chopped dried fruit and chopped nuts are frequently added.

Where does divinity candy come from? ›

Divinity is kin to ancient Turkish and 17th-century European sweet meringue-type candies, according to The Food Timeline, an online food history research service. The divinity the Wood family knows probably dates to the turn of the 20th century. That's when corn syrup showed up on grocers' shelves.

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