Old-Fashioned Divinity Candy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between nougat and divinity candy? ›

Divinity candy and nougat differ in their ingredients, preparation, and textures. Divinity is made from sugar, corn syrup or maple syrup, and egg whites, resulting in a light and fluffy texture. Nougat, on the other hand, is made from sugar, honey or glucose syrup, and egg whites, producing a chewy and dense texture.

As sugar attracts water, any humidity or moisture in the air can affect how your divinity turns out. Divinity should be dry and set within two hours, but have patience. It may take a little longer.

There could be several reasons that your divinity did not turn out fluffy: The syrup was not at the right temperature when it was added to the egg whites. The egg white and syrup mixture was not beaten long enough. The humidity was too high.

Divinity candy is made with light corn syrup, sugar, and stiff egg whites for a soft, nougat-like festive Southern treat! It's no surprise this traditional divinity candy recipe has stood the test of time.

Humidity equals wet, and wet equals candy that often won't set. Even in the cooler and less humid months, it can be a challenge to make old fashioned divinity - that being a divinity that is purely sugar, corn syrup, water, egg whites, chopped pecans, a little vanilla - and a goodly amount of elbow grease.

Why is my Divinity chewy or crumbly? If the texture of your divinity just isn't right, it may be that your temperature was off. Make sure to cook your sugar syrup to 260°F, and beat your egg white-syrup mixture until it loses its glossy sheen for the right final consistency.

Now, making divinity comes with all kinds of warnings about humidity and weather. You can't make it if it is "too" humid or if it's raining. The moisture in the air will keep the candy from setting and drying properly.

Dry meringue shells, which are baked in the oven, are safe. Divinity candy is also safe. Avoid icing recipes using uncooked eggs or egg whites. However, "seven-minute frosting," made by combining hot sugar syrup with beaten egg whites, is safe.

Because of the high sugar content, divinity needs dry air to dry itself. On high humidity days, the divinity will absorb moisture from the air. This means the divinity will have a gooey texture to it.

But if your divinity fails to harden, you can beat in two tablespoons of powdered sugar and allow the mixture to rest a few minutes; if the candy hardens too much, you can blend in hot water a tablespoon at a time until the perfect, fluffy consistency is reached.

What beater to use for divinity? ›

KitchenAid recommends using the wire whip for making divinity candy.

It's best to make divinity on a cool, dry day. If it's humid (over 50%) or rainy, the candy might end up with a more gooey, or grainy texture. If you're making candy on a hot or humid day, cook the candy a few degrees higher than the recipe specifies to overcome these undesired side effects.

If you choose to spread the divinity in a pan, you will have to wait up to 24 hours before it is set and ready. Makes about 4 dozen candies.

Overcook your syrup, and your candy will too hard to eat. Underbeat your candy and you might have to eat it with a spoon. Overbeat it and could be crunchy and sugary. Don't be discouraged from making these delicious sweets that others will beg you to make.

Divinity candy should be stored, airtight, for up to 5 days. It's best not to expose your candy to humidity. If you want to store your candy long-term, you can keep it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a month.

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Divinity is a nougat-like confection made with whipped egg white, corn syrup, and sugar. Optional ingredients such as flavors, chopped dried fruit and chopped nuts are frequently added.

There are three main types of nougat: white, brown, and viennese. White nougat, the most common variety, is likely what you're familiar with.

Nougat is a confection made with sugar or honey that's cooked and then whipped with egg whites to aerate it. It often contains almonds or other nuts, candied fruits and chocolate, although it can be left plain. Nougat can be soft and tender like marshmallow but is more often dense and very chewy.

Nougat, or turron nougat, is a French sweet very similar to turrón, made from almonds, honey and egg whites. Its texture and flavour, although different, are quite similar to the Alicante turron or hard turrón.