Divine Pecan Candy Food

SOUTHERN PECAN DIVINITY CANDY

Steps:

• Combine sugar, corn syrup, salt and water in a 2 quart saucepan. Stir only until the sugar dissolves. Cook to 260 degrees (hard ball stage). I highly recommend using a food thermometer to make sure you get the syrup to the right temperature.
• With an electric mixer, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. When the syrup is ready, slowly pour it over the egg whites while beating on high-speed. BE CAREFUL! The syrup is hot and it will burn the fool out of you if it splatters.
• Add vanilla and continue beating until the candy holds is shape.
• Add pecans, mix well.
• Drop by teaspoons onto waxed or parchment paper.
• Let the candy dry on the paper before attempting to stack it in a candy dish or storage container.

DIVINE DIVINITY

Steps:

• In a small heavy-bottomed pot dissolve the sugar in the corn syrup and water. Bring to a boil. Boil to thread stage (the candy thermometer should read between 223 to 234 degrees F). Brush down the inner wall of the pot with a heat-proof pastry brush and a small amount of water to prevent crystal formation.
• In the meantime beat egg whites with mixer and whisk attachment until they hold stiff but not dry peaks. Pour 2/3 of the boiled syrup mixture in a thin stream over the beaten egg whites, whisking all the time on high speed. Put the remaining mixture back on the heat and cook to soft ball stage (the candy thermometer should read between 234 to 240 degrees F). Whisk into the egg white mixture with the mixer on high speed. Add extract. Continue whisking until mixture forms stiff peaks.
• Pour into a buttered 9 by 13-inch pan. Let cool and cut. Store in an airtight container for chewier divinity or leave uncovered for a crispier texture.

OLD-FASHIONED DIVINITY CANDY

Steps:

• In a heavy, 2 quart saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, hot water, and salt. Cook and stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil. Then cook to hard ball stage without stirring, 250 degrees F (120 degrees C.) Frequently wipe crystals forming on the sides of the pan, using a pastry brush dipped in water. Remove from heat.
• Just as the syrup is reaching temperature, begin whipping egg whites: In a large glass or stainless steel mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Pour hot syrup in a thin stream over beaten egg whites, beating constantly with the electric mixer at medium speed. Increase speed to high, and continue beating for about 5 minutes. Add vanilla; continue beating until the mixture becomes stiff and begins to lose its gloss. If it is too stiff, add a few drops hot water.
• Immediately drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. For a decorative flair, twirl the top with the spoon when dropping. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

DIVINITY CANDY

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, stirring just until sugar dissolves, and cook until syrup reaches 250 degrees (firm-ball stage) on a candy thermometer.
• Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, starting on low and gradually increasing to high, beat egg whites with salt until stiff peaks form. If peaks form before the syrup reaches 250 degrees, reduce speed and keep mixer running on low.
• With the mixer on medium speed, add the syrup in a slow, steady stream (taking care not to hit the whisk or side of the bowl). Add vanilla. Increase speed to high and continue to whisk until mixture holds it shape and begins to lose its gloss, 10 to 20 minutes. Prepare a small bowl of hot water for dipping and a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop or two spoons; line up miniature candy cups on a baking sheet.
• Working quickly, use cookie scoop or spoons to drop 1 heaping tablespoon candy into each cup, dipping scoop into hot water as needed to prevent sticking. Press pecans into candy. Let candy cool completely, at least 6 hours and up to overnight. Candy can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

CANDIED PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
• Mix sugar, cinnamon, and salt together in a bowl.
• Whisk egg white and water together in a separate bowl until frothy. Toss pecans in the egg white mixture. Mix sugar mixture into pecan mixture until pecans are evenly coated. Spread coated pecans onto a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes, until pecans are evenly browned, 1 hour.

ANDREA'S PECAN DIVINES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F., rack in the middle position.
• Melt the butter. (Nuke it for 3 minutes on high in a microwave-safe container, or melt it in a pan on the stove.) Mix in the white sugar and the brown sugar. Add the vanilla, the baking soda, salt and mix. Add the eggs abd stir it all up. Add half the flour, the chocolate chips, and the chopped pecans. Stir well to incorporate, Add the rest of the flour and mix throughly.
• Drop by teaspoons onto greased cookie sheets, 12 cookies to a standard-size sheet. If the dough is too sticky to handle, chill it slightly and try again. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 10-12 minutes or until nicely browned.
• Let cool two minutes, then remove cookies from the baking sheet and transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

PECAN DIVINITY

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Cook over medium heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 250° (hard-ball stage). , Remove from the heat; stir in the marshmallow creme, vanilla and pecans. Continue stirring until candy cools and begins to hold its shape when dropped from a spoon. , Quickly drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

HONEY-PECAN CANDY

Steps:

• Place large piece of foil on work surface.
• Stir sugar, honey, butter and salt in heavy medium skillet over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves, butter melts and syrup comes to simmer.
• Add pecans
• Cook until syrup turns deep caramel color and bubbles thickly.
• stir nuts occasionally to coat (about 9 minutes)
• Scrape onto foil
• WORKING QUICKLY, separate nuts with spoon.
• Cool completely.
• Break candy apart into desired sizes (NOTE: this is why the yield/servings is a guesstimate).
• Place in airtight container.
• You may now eat a piece of heaven -- or five pieces -- (if you haven't done so by now!).
• Enjoy!