Paula Deen Divinity Food

PEPPERMINT DIVINITY

Steps:

• In a large (about 1 gallon) pot mix together the sugar, salt, water and corn syrup.
• Cook to a boil and 250 degrees or hard ball stage. You can stir as it somes to a boil of just once in awhile as it comes to a boil. I've never had a problem doing it either way.
• While this mixture is boiling beat the egg whites to stiff peaks in your mixer.
• When your boiling sugar mixture is ready very very slowly pour and mix it into the egg mixture in a slow stream on medium speed until it is all inches.
• Let this mix for two mintues and then bring the speed down to slow and add it the extract and food coloring.
• Continue mixing and a medium high speed until the candy starts to lose it's gloss and thicken up.
• Turn off mixer and drop spoonfuls onto wax paper or a greased surface.

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.

WALNUT DIVINITY

Steps:

• Butter an 8-inch square glass-baking dish.
• Heat sugar, corn syrup, water and salt over low heat in a heavy 2-quart saucepan until sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally.
• Increase heat to high and bring to a boil.
• Boil, without stirring, until syrup reaches 265° (hard-ball stage) on a candy thermometer.
• Just before syrup reaches 265°, beat egg whites in a medium bowl of an electric mixer on high speed just until stiff peaks form.
• In a very slow steady stream, beat syrup into whites.
• Beat in vanilla.
• Continue beating about 6 minutes, or until mixture loses it's gloss.
• Fold in nuts with a rubber spatula.
• Pour candy into baking dish and spread evenly with a rubber spatula.
• Let cool to room temperature.
• Cut candy into 1-inch squares.
• (The divinity can be made up to 1 week ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.).