Divinity Fudge Food

DIVINITY

Steps:

• Cook sugar, corn syrup, and water in a 2-quart pot over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. (On humid days, use 1 tablespoon less water.) Cook, without stirring, to 260 degrees on candy thermometer (or hard ball stage).
• Beat egg whites in 1-1/2-quart bowl until stiff peaks form. Continue to beat while pouring hot syrup in a thin stream into egg whites. Add vanilla; beat until mixture holds its shape and becomes slightly dull. (Mixture may become too stiff for electric mixer). Fold in nuts (if you choose).
• Drop from buttered spoon onto waxed paper. Let stand at room temperature, turning candy over once, until outside of candy is firm--at least 12 hours. Store in airtight container.

JEWELED DIVINITY

Steps:

• Butter a straight-sided 8-inch square cake pan and set aside. Line with a single sheet of parchment paper.
• Attach a candy thermometer to the side of a saucepan. Add the sugar, corn syrup and 1/4 cup water to the pan and bring to boil, stirring until the sugar has just dissolved. Continue to cook until the syrup reaches 255 to 260 degrees F on the candy thermometer.
• Meanwhile, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
• When the syrup reaches temperature, slowly (and carefully) drizzle it into the egg whites with the mixer on high. Once the syrup is fully added, pour in the vanilla and continue to beat until the mixture is no longer glossy and holds its shape, 7 to 8 minutes.
• Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and, moving quickly, fold 1 cup of the gummy candies into the mixing bowl using a wooden spoon. Transfer the mix to the prepared pan and do your best to spread into an even layer--it will be very sticky. Sprinkle the remaining candies over the top, lightly pressing them in to ensure they stay.
• Allow the divinity to cool completely, about 1 hour. Cut into 1 1/2-inch squares and store in an airtight container.

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.

PERFECT DIVINITY

Steps:

• In a 2 quart saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt.
• Cook to hardball stage, (260 degrees), stirring only until sugar dissolves.
• Meanwhile, as temperature of syrup reaches 250 degrees, beat egg white till stiff peaks form.
• When syrup reaches 260 degrees, very gradually add the syrup to egg whites, beating at high speed with electric mixer.
• Add vanilla and beat until candy holds its shape, 4-5 minutes.
• Stir in the chopped nuts or cherries, if desired.
• Quickly drop candy from a teaspoon onto waxed paper, swirling the top of each piece.
• Let cool.

DIVINITY FUDGE

Steps:

• Combine corn syrup, water, salt and sugar.
• Cook to 234°F.
• Beat egg whites until stiff and pour 1/2 the syrup into them slowly, beating as you pour.
• Cook the remaining syrup to 280°F then add it to the white mixture the same way as before.
• Add vanilla and nuts.
• Continue beating until mixture is thick enough to hold its shape when dropped by a spoon.
• Pour into a buttered 9x9-inch pan.
• Cool and cut into squares.

DIVINITY FUDGE

Steps:

• Stir the first four ingredients together in a saucepan over low heat until the sugar is dissolved.
• Boil without stirring to 265 degrees on a candy thermometer or until a little mixture that is dropped in cold water forms a hard, almost brittle ball.
• Remove syrup from heat and slowly pour over stiffly beaten egg whites, while beating with a mixer until mixture loses its gloss and a small amount that is dropped from a spoon holds its shape.
• Fold in nuts and vanilla.
• Pour into a greased 9"x9"x2" pan or drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper to cool.
• Store in tins.

DIVINITY FUDGE (KITCHENAID)

Steps:

• Place sugar, corn syrup and water in heavy sauce pan. Cook and stir over medium heat until hard ball stage (248oF). Remove from heat and let stand until temperature drops to 220oF. Do not stir.
• Place egg whites in bowl of electric mixer. Turn to high and whip until soft peaks form, about 1 minute. Gradually add syrup mixture in fine stream and white about 2 ½ minutes longer.
• Reduce speed to medium-low. Add almond extract and whip until mixture starts to become dry (20-25 minutes). Turn to low and add walnuts (if desired), mixing just until blended.

DIVINE DIVINITY FUDGE

Steps:

• Beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff. Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Put the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a medium-size heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir to dissolve the sugar, bring to a boil and cook until the temperature reaches 260 degrees F on a candy thermometer, or the hard-ball stage, when a bit of the mixture dropped into cold water holds its shape, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat. Pour in a thin steady stream into the beaten egg whites and beat with an electric mixer on high for about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla, and continue beating on high just until the candy starts to lose its gloss, 5 to 6 minutes. When the beaters are lifted, the mixture should fall in a ribbon that mounds on itself.

GRANDMA ELZEY'S DIVINITY FUDGE

Steps:

• Cook syrup, vinegar, and salt to 265 degrees.
• Beat slowly into well-beaten egg whites.
• Add walnuts and vanilla.
• When mixture begins to thicken, drop by the spoonful onto heavy waxed paper.
• Pack fudge in airtight tin boxes or cans.