Old-Fashioned Divinity | Southern Holiday Candy Recipe

If you love the light, sweet texture and flavor of divinity but you've been scared to make it because you think it's too difficult, think again! This easy recipe comes together with ease. . .and tastes amazing. You're going to love this southern confection!

Is Divinity a Christmas Candy?

Let's Go Back in Time!

I always associate divinity with Christmas. My mother was the queen of Christmas candies and this was one of our favorites.

So, let's go back to the Christmases of yesteryear to get in the mood. Back to the days of the Sears Christmas catalogue, when I spent hours:

• circling toys with a pen
• folding page corners so I wouldn't forget
• wish lists made of newsprint dreams
• the smell of the paper

Back in those days--when life was easy and Christmas was magical, Mama always treated us to delicious homemade candies. Divinity felt like little clouds of heaven, come down to earth!

Christmas Treats, the Old-Fashioned Way!

It's still pretty warm here in South Texas but I was in the mood for a little candy-making, so I turned my attention to my Mama's cookbook. She passed away several years ago but I was blessed to receive most of her recipes.

I started the day by making her Homemade Peanut Brittle. It was each and oh-so-delicious. I loved it so much that I made an cinnamon-almond version, too.

Then I turned my attention to Scotcheroos, a recipe I found online that calls for Chex cereal in place of Rice Krispies. Those, too, turned out great.

So, why make another candy when I had so much already? I'll be with friends most of the weekend and I plan to divide these up to pass along. And how could I resist adding Divinity to the list? (And did I mention this was my first time to make it?)

Divinity Ingredients

I was absolutely shocked to see how few ingredients were needed for my mom's divinity recipe. They're easy ingredients you might already find in your pantry. I'll give you all of the details in the recipe card at the bottom of this post but here's a quick peek at the ingredients you'll need:

• granulated sugar
• Karo syrup (light corn syrup)
• water
• egg whites
• salt
• pecans (optional)
• vanilla (optional)

You will also need a saucepan, a candy thermometer, a mixer, and wax paper.

Okay, time to get started! Let's make some candy! (Note: You don't want to make this one on humid days!)

How to Make Delicious Divinity

Like I said, this came together so easily I had to wonder why I hadn't made it before!

Place water, sugar, and Karo Syrup in a large heavy saucepan and bring to a low boil. I started mine at medium-high heat. Add your candy thermometer.

Lower heat and cook over low to medium heat until the sugar mixture comes to 260 degrees (hard ball stage). Carefully stir the hot sugar mixture, being careful not to splash it on yourself. You can add drops of hot water to the sides to get rid of crystallization if you like.

While the sugar is cooking separate your egg whites from the yolks. You can save the yolks for later, if you choose. You'll only need the whites for this recipe.

Place egg whites in a clean glass or metal bowl. Whip egg whites at high speed until soft peaks form. Incorporate the pinch of salt then turn off the mixer. (You can do this with an electric mixer if you like. I used the bowl of a stand mixer with whisk attachment.)

When the sugar syrup reaches 260 degrees begin to drizzle a thin stream of the hot syrup into the whipped egg whites in a low steady stream, beating on low-medium speed.

Continue to beat until the meringue passes the glossy point. You want it to begin to firm up, but don't let it harden.

Turn off the mixer and fold in the pecans and vanilla extract.

Scoop by spoonful onto a piece of wax paper or parchment paper. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl so you don't leave any of this delicious candy behind. Allow to cool fully before eating.

Store in an airtight container up to a week. Do not expose to humidity.

There is no need to refrigerate. In fact, refrigeration could increase the moisture level, causing them to break down. You can freeze and serve later, if you choose. They should stay good up to a month in an airtight container in the freezer.

What to Expect from this Wonderful Candy

This tastes just like Mama's Christmas candy, exactly! I was so afraid I would mess it up but it came out perfect! The texture is light but firm. The addition of the chopped pecans adds that tiny bit of crunch you need. And the vanilla extract? It's the perfect choice.

This is a delicious candy to add to your Cookie Exchange tray, the perfect complement to other sweet treats. It's one of those family favorites you're going to want to make again and again.

Variations on this Divinity Recipe

My mind is reeling as I think of other ways to make divinity, now that I see how simple it is. Here are a few ideas that came to mind:

Mini chocolate chips: Next time I think I'll add some mini chocolate chips along with the chopped pecans.

Almond: I would love to add chopped almonds and almond extract in place of vanilla.

Maple Walnut: Add chopped walnuts and maple extract. (Yum!)

Lemon Craisin: I think these would be delicious with lemon extract and chopped Craisins (or Cherry Craisins) in place of nuts.

Questions People are Asking about this Recipe

Why is my divinity not fluffy?

Divinity is temperamental. If you try to make it when it's raining outside, for instance, it might not work out. Too much humidity isn't a good thing. If your syrup is the wrong temperature it can also affect the outcome.

What is the difference between nougat and divinity?

I love nougat! It's a heavier, chewier version of divinity with different liquid content.

Other Christmas Treats from Out of the Box Baking:

22 Christmas Desserts for 2022: My master list! You're going to love these sweet ideas.

Coconut Cake: It's creamy, it's light, it's loaded with coconut. . .and it's perfect for Christmas!

Peanut Brittle: Perfect all year round. This is my mom's recipe and it comes highly recommended.

Easy Chex Scotcheroos: Make these festive by adding a bit of red and green decor. Perfect for Christmas!

Nutter Butter Snowman Cookies: Peanut butter cookies covered in white chocolate and candy? Yes, please!

Checkerboard Cake: Make this one with red and green squares and serve it to your Christmas guests!

Fudgy Pecan Pie: This is a favorite, loaded with pecans and something else. . .chocolate!

If you enjoy making treats from scratch, you’ll love the variety in my Homemade Candy Hub.

Welcome to the Candy Shop! Homemade Sweet Treats You'll Love

Step right up, candy lovers! If you've ever dreamed of wandering through a magical candy shop, where the shelves are lined with colorful sweets, rich chocolates, buttery toffees, and old-fashioned favorites, you've come to the right place! Here at Out of the Box Baking, we're turning ordinary kitchen ingredients into extraordinary little treats. No golden ticket required!

Whether you're filling Christmas candy tins, preparing homemade gifts, or simply indulging your sweet tooth, there's something delightful waiting around every corner. So grab your imaginary candy-shop basket and come explore some of my favorite homemade confections!

Take a Stroll Through the Candy Shop!

1. Soft Christmas Peppermints (Old-Fashioned Butter Mints) – Soft, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth little morsels of peppermint happiness! These colorful old-fashioned candies look like something straight out of Grandma's Christmas candy dish.
2. Old-Fashioned Jelly Nougat Candy – Imagine a snowy-white candy studded with colorful, jewel-like pieces of fruity goodness. This chewy, nostalgic treat is almost too pretty to eat. Almost!
3. Easy Salt Water Taffy – Take a little trip to the seaside candy shop without ever leaving your kitchen! This sweet, stretchy favorite brings back memories of boardwalks, candy counters, and old-fashioned fun.
4. Easy Fantasy Fudge with Pecans – Rich, creamy chocolate fudge filled with crunchy pecans? Yes, please! This old-fashioned favorite is perfect for slicing into generous little squares and sharing with someone you love.
5. Easy Hot Cocoa Fudge – All the cozy charm of a steaming mug of hot chocolate, transformed into a rich, chocolatey candy! This sweet treat is practically a winter afternoon wrapped up in a bite.
6. Easy Peanut Brittle – Crunch, crackle, and snap! This golden, buttery candy is packed with peanuts and delivers that irresistible old-fashioned crunch that keeps everyone reaching for another piece.
7. Traditional English Toffee – Buttery, crunchy toffee meets luscious chocolate in this classic homemade confection. Break it into deliciously imperfect pieces and tuck them into a pretty candy tin for a gift worth remembering.
8. Quick and Easy Buckeyes – Creamy peanut butter centers dipped in rich chocolate make these little candies irresistible. They're a peanut butter lover's dream and a favorite on holiday candy platters!
9. Easy Homemade Turtles Candy – Pecans, caramel, and chocolate come together in one glorious little candy. Sweet, nutty, chewy, and wonderfully indulgent, these homemade turtles are a candy-shop classic.
10. Copycat Reese's Peanut Butter Cups – Who needs the candy aisle when you can make your own chocolate-covered peanut butter cups? These homemade favorites deliver that magical combination of creamy peanut butter and chocolate.
11. Easy Chocolate Coconut Balls – Calling all coconut lovers! These delightful little chocolate-covered treats hide a sweet coconut surprise inside, making every bite feel like discovering a secret treasure.
12. Easy Peanut Butter Snowballs – Sweet peanut butter goodness dressed up in a snowy coating! These pretty little candies are perfect for winter celebrations, holiday gift boxes, or sneaking straight from the refrigerator.
13. Easy Oreo Truffles – Who knew a humble sandwich cookie could become such a fancy little confection? These rich, chocolatey truffles are wonderfully simple to make and look right at home in a gourmet candy box.
14. Lemon Oreo Truffles – A little sunshine in every bite! These bright, cheerful truffles bring a refreshing burst of lemony sweetness to the candy counter and make a lovely addition to spring parties and dessert trays.
15. Easy Red Velvet Truffles – Rich, beautiful, and dressed for a celebration! These red velvet beauties are the fancy little jewels of the candy shop, perfect for Valentine's Day, Christmas, or any occasion that deserves something special.

There's Always Something Sweet Around the Corner!

Well, friends, I hope you've enjoyed our little stroll through the candy shop! From nostalgic favorites that remind us of childhood to chocolate-covered treasures that look almost too beautiful to eat, there's something wonderfully satisfying about making candy in your own kitchen.

And guess what? The candy shop doesn't close here! I've gathered even more delightful confections in my Homemade Candy Recipes: The Ultimate Guide to Delicious Homemade Treats. You'll find even more fudge, brittle, truffles, chocolate-covered goodies, and old-fashioned sweets just waiting to be discovered. So pull up a stool at the candy counter, choose your next sweet adventure, and remember: a little homemade candy can turn an ordinary day into something magical!

---

That's it for this post! I hope you enjoyed this old fashioned divinity candy recipe! It's great during the holiday season or any time of year! While you're here, why not pin some photos?

Follow me on social media!

• Facebook
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• X
• TikTok
• YouTube