Holiday Divinity Food

HOLIDAY DIVINITY

Steps:

• Spray a 9 1/2‐by‐12 1/2‐inch rimmed baking sheet (also called quarter‐sheet pan) with cooking spray. Line with parchment; spray parchment.
• In a saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, stirring, just until sugar has dissolved, then cook until syrup reaches 250°F (firm ball stage) on a candy thermometer.
• Meanwhile, in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, starting on low speed and gradually increasing to high, beat egg whites with salt until stiff peaks form. If peaks form before syrup reaches 250°F, reduce speed and keep mixer running on low.
• Reduce speed to medium and add syrup in a slow, steady stream (taking care not to hit whisk or side of bowl). Add vanilla. Increase speed to high and continue to beat until mixture is very thick and begins to lose its gloss, 10 to 20 minutes. Fold in pecans and candied fruit. Scrape mixture into prepared pan, using hands sprayed with cooking spray to press in evenly.
• Let stand until fully set and dry on top, at least 8 hours. Transfer to a cutting board; cut into 3/4‐by‐3‐inch pieces. Store in a single layer on parchment‐lined baking sheets, wrapped in plastic, at room temperature up to 1 week.

HOLIDAY DIVINITY

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, water and corn syrup; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture comes to a boil. Cook over medium heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 250° (hard-ball stage). Remove from the heat., Meanwhile, in a stand mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. With mixer running on high speed, carefully pour hot syrup in a slow, steady stream into the mixing bowl. Add vanilla and salt. Beat on high speed just until candy loses its gloss and holds its shape, about 10 minutes. Stir in nuts and fruit., Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Store in airtight containers.

BASIC DIVINITY

Steps:

• NOTE: TO PREWARM A CANDY THERMOMETER, SIMPLE PLACE IT AN A SMALL SAUCE PAN OF COLD WATER AND BRING IT TO A BOIL.
• LET IT SIMMER UNTIL YOU NEED THE THERMOMETER.
• Prewarm the thermometer; separate the eggs allowing the whites to come to room temperature in a large bowl of an electric mixer. (Return the egg yolks to the refrigerator covering with plastic wrap or water for another recipe.) Fill a glass with ice cubes and water.
• To make dropped divinities, you will need 2 cookie sheets, topped with greased wax paper.
• For squares, use a greased and wax paper-lined 8 X 8-inch pan.
• Measure the sugar, corn syrup, ice water and salt and dump into a heavy 2-quart saucepan with a tight fitting lid.
• Dissolve the sugar, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon over low heat.
• Syrup will become clear, gritty sounds will cease, and the spoon will glide smoothly over the bottom of the pan.
• Increase the heat to medium and bring to a boil.
• OPTIONAL: Cover pan with a square of wax paper and lid, pushing down firmly.
• Steam for 2 to 3 minutes to dissolve the sugar crystals. (Listen to make sure the pot doesn't boil over.To double-check, remove lid, leaving the wax paper in place.)
• Wash down any crystals clinging to the sides with a brush dipped in hot water from the thermometer bath.
• Introduce the prewarmed thermometer.
• No need to stir.
• Beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry.
• If your mixer is a heavy duty one, you can wait until the bubbles in the syrup become very large and airy before beating the egg whites.
• Otherwise, do it now when the thermometer registers 240 Degrees F. (115.5 C.).
• Test the syrup when the thermometer registers 246 degrees F. (119 C.).
• Continue testing until it reach the firm-ball stage, 246 to 260 degrees F. (119 to 126.5 C.).
• Syrup will be hard to scrape up in ice water.
• It will have to be forced into a ball, but once formed, it should hold its shape but give under pressure.
• Return the thermometer to the hot water bath to soak clean.
• Dribble the syrup into the egg whites in a slow, steady stream, beating at slow speed.
• Tilt the syrup pan to get the last drop but do not scrape the pan.
• Once the syrup is completely incorporated, change to a flat whip if you have one.
• Have patience and continue beating.
• The amount of time you spend mixing depends on the power of your mixer.
• If you have a heavy duty or commercial one, you can go to full speed and make the divinity in less than 5 minutes.
• With less powerful ones, it can take up to 20 minutes.
• The important thing is to beat at the highest speed of your mixer.
• Also if it is a hot and humid day, it will take longer also.
• Test the divinity.
• The first and most important test occurs when you lift the beaters.
• If the candy falls back in ribbons that immediately merge back into the batter, it isn't done.
• Eventually, a stationary column will form between the beaters and the bowl.
• Candy will lose its sheen/gloss and stop being sticky; a teaspoonful dropped onto wax paper will hold its shape, even a peak.
• If you machine is laboring and the candy is not quite there yet, you have two choices: Pour anyway and put into a frost free freezer to set up....or finish by hand.
• Fold in the flavorings and nuts and/or other optional items using the mixer or if very thick, a wooden spoon.
• Drop or spread the divinity either on wax paper-covered cookie sheets or the buttered pan.
• Dripping it by teaspoon is harder work for you but it ripens quicker and is ready to eat sooner.
• A neat trick is to put the candy into a pastry bag and pipe onto the wax paper.
• If you spread it in the pan, you will have to wait up to 24 hours before it is ready.
• But you maybe one of those that think it is better when it is 24 hours old.
• Score and cut into squares.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in a refrigerator.
• Recipe CANNOT be doubled; it can be frozen but not for extended periods of time.

HOLIDAY DIVINITY

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, water and corn syrup; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture comes to a boil. Cook over medium heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 250 degrees F (hard-ball stage). Remove from the heat.
• In a mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Slowly pour hot sugar mixture over egg whites, beating constantly. Add vanilla and salt. Beat until candy loses its gloss and holds its shape, about 14 minutes. Stir in fruit and nuts.
• Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.

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.