Old Fashioned Gelatin Divinity Food

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.

NO FAIL JELL-O DIVINITY

Steps:

• Line 2 large baking sheets with waxed paper. Butter two large spoons and set aside.
• In a 3 quart saucepan, bring the sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt to a boil, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar.
• Once at a boil, stop stirring and cook to 250F - hard ball stage. To do this, clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pot. This candy thermometer will beep when the correct temperature is reached. No fail :)
• While the mixture is coming up to temperature, whisk egg whites on high speed in a heavy duty mixer until very stiff peaks form.
• Whisk in the Jell-O until well blended.
• Once the syrup has reached 250F, remove from heat.
• Turn the mixer to medium-high and carefully and slowly pour the syrup into the egg white and Jell-O mixture. Like, so slowly, that this should take a good 2 minutes to pour it all in.
• Add the vanilla extract.
• Now it's time to let the mixer go to work. Continue beating until the mixture loses it's shine and holds it's shape when dropped from a spoon. You'll notice that it starts to look more and more sticky. This takes between 4 and 6 minutes usually.
• It's absolutely okay to stop the mixer and test the mixture. If you drop the candy and it looks like a puddle on your waxed paper, continue beating for another minute or two and try again. When it holds it shape you are good to go.
• At this time, mix in the nuts.
• Spoon out a heaping teaspoon or tablespoon of the mixture out a time and use the other spoon to scrape the candy off the spoon. MAKE SURE that your spoons are buttered or the candy will stick. You do NOT need to butter them more than once.
• Once all the candies have been dropped, let cool on the waxed paper.
• Let the candies set out for at least 4 hours, preferable overnight before storing in an airtight container. These candies also do quite well sitting out in the open - no stickiness :)

GRANDMA'S DIVINITY

Steps:

• Place egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, line three 15x10x1-in. pans with waxed paper., In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, water and corn syrup; bring to a boil, stirring constantly to dissolve sugar. Cook, without stirring, over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 252° (hard-ball stage). Just before the temperature is reached, beat egg whites on medium speed until stiff peaks form., Slowly add hot sugar mixture in a thin stream over egg whites, beating constantly and scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Add vanilla. Beat until candy holds its shape, 5-6 minutes. (Do not overmix or candy will get stiff and crumbly.) Immediately fold in pecans., Quickly drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto prepared pans. Let stand at room temperature until dry to the touch. Store between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container at room temperature.

OLD-FASHIONED GELATIN DIVINITY

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine sugar, corn syrup, vanilla extract and water. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Heat to 250 to 265 degrees F (121 to 129 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a rigid ball.
• Meanwhile, beat egg whites until stiff; slowly add gelatin while beating until stiff peaks form. Continue beating and pour syrup mixture in a thin stream over the egg mixture. Beat until mixture thickens and losses its gloss. Stir in pecans.
• Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper. Cool; store in airtight containers.