Foolproof Pastel Divinity Food

JELLO DIVINITY

Steps:

• Place egg white in the bowl of a stand mixer and let them stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, line three 15x10x1-inch baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
• In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and corn syrup, Stir. Bring the mixture to a boil. Continue to cook over medium heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 250°F (hard-ball stage).
• Shortly before the temperature is reached, beat egg whites until they are foamy. Gradually beat in the Jello gelatin and continue to beat until stiff peaks form. With the mixer running at high speed, carefully pour the hot syrup in a slow, steady stream into the bowl. Beat just until the candy loses its gloss and it holds its shape, about 5-7 minutes. Immediately mix in the walnuts.
• Working quickly, drop the mixture by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared pans. Let the candy stand at room temperature overnight or until it is dry to the touch.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

MAMA'S FOOL PROOF DIVINITY

Steps:

• 1. Cook first mixture until it spins a thread. (Just above softball stage)
• 2. Pour hot mixture over stiffly beaten egg whites, beating constantly
• 3. Cook second mixture to hard ball stage; slowly add to egg mixture, beating constantly.
• 4. Continue beating until it holds a shape. Add nuts and vanilla. If too thick, add 1 Tablespoon of boiling water. Drop by teaspoon onto wax paper; swirl top. Work fast!
• 5. Note: I find this a lot easier to make when you have help. My daughter helps me when I make this candy.

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.

EASY DIVINITY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F. Line 2 large cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper.
• Place dry frosting mix, corn syrup, vanilla and boiling water in bowl of electric stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Mix on low speed until blended. Beat on high speed 5 to 7 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally, until stiff peaks form. On low speed, gradually beat in powdered sugar, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in nuts. Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls onto lined cookie sheets.
• Bake 5 minutes; remove from oven. Slide parchment paper with candies from cookie sheet onto cooling rack. Let stand about 4 hours on parchment paper or until tops of candies feel firm. Remove candies from parchment paper, using small icing spatula to loosen edges if needed. Turn candies over, and place bottom sides up on cooling racks. Allow candies to dry at least 12 hours. Store in airtight container with waxed paper between layers.

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.