Divinity Candy recipe is a Southern classic. Just one bite and you’ll be hooked on this chewy, soft vanilla treat packed with crunchy pecans!
Love Pecans? Our Pecan Pie Truffles are delicious for the holidays, or as an year round treat! Be sure to add a batch of English Toffee to all your holiday baking as well.
What is Divinity Candy
If there’s ever one standout recipe request that I receive, it’s always for the ever popular southern treat, Divinity.
If you’ve never had this sweet treat, the texture is marvelous.
It’s a combination of marshmallow, fudge, and taffy! Add in the crunch of pecans and this is a dessert made for the holidays.
Divinity can be finicky, so be sure to read all my tips and tricks on how to make divinity candy!
Tips and Tricks
- Be Patient. When the recipe states to beat the mixture for 6 minutes, do that. Don’t rush it. Don’t skip a single minute.
- Stand Mixer. While a handheld mixture may work, most people find a stand mixer to not only be more convenient, the higher power is needed for this longer run!
- Watch the humidity. Don’t attempt to make these on a humid day. Much like meringue cookies, this Divinity candy recipe won’t set up properly.
- Candy thermometer. Use it! And make sure while you are boiling the mixture, the bulb of the candy thermometer is completely covered with liquid and is not touching the bottom or side of the pan.
- Vanilla extract. Using my homemade vanilla extract or store bought extract works great. Make sure it’s PURE and not immitation, you want that flavor to stand out. Almond extract is great too!
Recipe FAQs
Check your candy thermometer before using it, to make sure it’s calibrated correctly. To do this, place your thermometer in boiling water for a few minutes. It should register at 212° If it is above or below that, add or subtract the same difference in degrees from the recipe temperature!
Anywhere from 1-2 hours for divinity to set properly.
Store divinity candy in airtight container at room temperature. I use parchment paper between layers.
More Candy Recipes:
- Pralines
- Peanut Butter Fudge
- Buttercream Truffles
- Peanut Brittle
- Cream Cheese Mints
- How to Make Chocolate Fudge
- Christmas Crack
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Divinity Candy
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ½ cup water
- 2 egg whites
- 1-2 teaspoons pure Vanilla extract or almond extract
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- In a large saucepan over medium high heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup, and the water. Cook and stir constantly until boiling. Clip the candy thermometer to the pan and without stirring over medium heat, bring the temperature up to 260°F (hard ball stage). This will take approximately ten minutes.
- When the candy is nearly to the hard ball stage, begin the next step. In a large mixing bowl, attached to an electric freestanding mixer, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Gradually, in a slow steady stream, pour in the hot mixture, beating on high the entire time. This should take about 3 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add in your Vanilla extract (or almond).
- Continue to beat on high speed for approximately 6-10 minutes, until the candy starts to lose it’s glossy finish. When the beaters are lifted, the mixture should mound on itself, and not flatten. You can test it by dropping a spoonful onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. If it stays mounded, the mixture has been beaten sufficiently. If it begins to flatten, continue beating and check again after a minute or so.
- Once it’s properly beaten, fold in chopped pecans and spoon (I use a heaping tablespoon) onto your parchment paper lined baking sheets. Allow about an hour or two to set. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature. ENJOY
Notes
- Be Patient. When the recipe states to beat the mixture for 6 minutes, do that. Don’t rush it. Don’t skip a single minute.
- Stand Mixer. While a handheld mixture may work, most people find a stand mixer to not only be more convenient, the higher power is needed for this longer run!
- Watch the humidity. Don’t attempt to make these on a humid day. Much like meringue cookies, this Divinity candy recipe won’t set up properly.
- Candy thermometer. Use it! And make sure while you are boiling the mixture, the bulb of the candy thermometer is completely covered with liquid and is not touching the bottom or side of the pan.
- Vanilla extract. Using my homemade vanilla extract or store bought extract works great. Make sure it’s PURE and not immitation, you want that flavor to stand out. Almond extract is great too!
Video
Nutrition
Divinity Candy recipe is a Southern classic. Just one bite and you’ll be hooked on this chewy, soft vanilla treat packed with crunchy pecans!
Thank you so much for sharing it! I just tried it and came out just perfect in my first attempt!! Thank you!! It’s Delicious!!
How long will this last if kept in an airtight container?
About two weeks.
Approx how many pieces will this recipe make?
About 3-4 dozen 🙂
Oh my!!! This brings back the memory of my Mom standing in the kitchen making divinity every Thanksgiving and Christmas!!! She loved to bake and make candy from scratch! Brought a tear to my eye.
I love your recipes, I use them so much! I just wanted to say Thank-you for sharing them, it’s very kind of you!
Terry
Very good instructions , follow them to the t, came out perfect, I live in Florida so it’s always humid, and it was sprinkling at the time I was making this,, but they came out great,, thanks for the recipe
This was my first shot at making Divinity and I must say it came out just perfect! This is due to your excellent instructions!! I have always love divinity but never had the guts to make it. Thanks for the recipe and great, detailed instructions.
I’m so glad to hear it 🙂 Enjoy and happy holidays!
Beating until it looses its shine is the best tip ever. If it’s still glossy it will not set up and will be sticky. Wish I had known this before making my first batch. Thanks for the tip.
Mine does
First time making divinity & it turned out perfectly! Yummy
My grandmother used to make this every holiday season, but with mini chocolate chip instead of the nuts. So yummy.
LOVE the idea of chocolate chips!!
If your candy starts to set up while you are trying to place it on the surface add a few drops of hot water and mix
I’ve heard of divinity but I’ve never tried it. It sounds super delish!
So delicious!!! Each piece looks so light and fluffy.
So delicious! Thanks so much for sharing!
I’ve never had divinity candy either, so I have nothing to compare this to — but it’s delicious!