Classic Divinity Candy with Walnuts: Your Guide to a Heavenly Holiday Treat
The holiday season is a magical time, filled with warmth, cheer, and traditions that create lasting memories. From decorating the tree to gathering with loved ones, every aspect contributes to the festive spirit. For many, including my family, these celebrations wouldn’t be complete without the joy of baking and sharing homemade treats. While my list of festive recipes often seems endless, one cherished tradition always takes center stage: making Divinity Candy.
This isn’t just any candy; it’s a light, airy, and utterly divine confection that melts in your mouth. Imagine a pillowy cloud of sweetness, delicately structured and bursting with flavor. If you’re unfamiliar with Divinity, you’re in for a delightful surprise! It’s a nougat-like candy primarily crafted from simple ingredients: sugar, corn syrup, and whipped egg whites. The name “Divinity” truly captures its essence – each bite is heavenly.
This post is sponsored by Diamond of California, a brand whose quality nuts I trust and adore for all my holiday baking.
The Enduring Charm of Holiday Sweet Traditions
Holiday traditions are truly the heart of what makes this season so special. For generations, families have passed down not just stories and heirlooms, but also cherished recipes, creating a culinary heritage that binds us together. In my husband’s family, Divinity Candy has been a cornerstone of their holiday celebrations for as long as he can remember. Now, it’s a tradition we joyfully share with our children, teaching them the art of candy-making and the importance of these sweet rituals.
While the holidays can be incredibly busy, we always carve out time for Divinity. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s an experience, a moment of togetherness in the kitchen that becomes a treasured memory. The anticipation of that first light, fluffy bite is part of the magic. And if you’ve never had the pleasure of tasting Divinity, prepare to be enchanted by its unique texture and delicate sweetness.
Why Walnuts Make Divinity Even Better
While Divinity is delicious on its own, a special addition elevates it to an even higher plane of taste and texture: chopped nuts. Our go-to choice is always high-quality walnuts, and for that, we turn to Diamond of California walnuts. Their rich, creamy texture and distinct flavor perfectly complement the light, airy sweetness of the candy. The walnuts introduce a wonderful textural contrast, a satisfying chewiness against the soft, melt-in-your-mouth base.
Beyond taste and texture, walnuts also bring a touch of wholesome goodness to this sweet treat. They’re packed with healthy fats, antioxidants, and essential nutrients, making each bite not just delicious but also a little more substantial. Sometimes, we even enhance the festive feel by adding a few drops of red or green food coloring, turning these delightful morsels into vibrant holiday jewels that truly stand out on any dessert platter.
Mastering the Art of Divinity: Tips and Tricks for Success
Now, I don’t want to sugarcoat it – making Divinity can be a bit finicky. It’s often said in our family, “the first batch of divinity fails.” This isn’t meant to discourage you, but rather to prepare you for a delightful challenge! Each year, it seems we need a moment to re-learn its rhythm before hitting that sweet spot. But please believe me when I say, the effort is absolutely worth it for these little pillows of heaven.
The key to perfect Divinity lies in precision and undivided attention. You’ll definitely need a reliable candy thermometer, as hitting the exact temperature for the sugar syrup is critical. Timing is truly everything; this is not the recipe to multitask while making. Distractions can lead to a less-than-perfect batch, so clear your counter, focus, and enjoy the process.
Essential Tips for Flawless Divinity:
- Invest in a Good Candy Thermometer: Accuracy is paramount. Ensure your thermometer is calibrated and easy to read.
- Watch the Weather: Humidity can be a hidden enemy of Divinity. On very humid days, the candy might struggle to set properly. Aim for a dry, cool day if possible.
- Timing is Everything with Egg Whites: You want your egg whites to reach stiff peaks just as your sugar syrup hits the “hard-ball” stage (260°F). Starting the egg whites too early or too late can affect the final texture.
- Pour Slowly and Steadily: When adding the hot syrup to the whipped egg whites, pour it in a thin, steady stream while the mixer is running on high speed. This ensures the syrup is evenly incorporated without deflating the egg whites.
- Beat to Perfection: Continue beating the mixture until it starts to lose its glossy sheen and can hold its shape when dropped from a spoon. If it’s too soft, keep beating. If it becomes too stiff or grainy, a few drops of hot water can often rescue it.
- Work Quickly: Once the Divinity is ready and the walnuts are folded in, you need to work fast. It sets up quite rapidly, so have your waxed paper ready and spoon out the portions immediately.
While it requires your full attention and a bit of practice, once you get the hang of it, making Divinity becomes a surprisingly easy and incredibly rewarding experience. The process is almost meditative, and the result – those exquisite, light, and chewy pieces of candy – makes every minute spent worthwhile. They’re not just a dessert; they’re a celebration of effort and tradition.
What are your favorite holiday treat traditions? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!
Divinity Candy with Walnuts
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Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups granulated sugar (500 grams)
- ½ cup light corn syrup (155 grams)
- ½ cup water (125 grams)
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 drops food coloring , optional
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (55 grams)
Instructions
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In a heavy bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar.
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Once the mixture starts to boil, stop stirring and insert a candy thermometer. Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking, without stirring, until the thermometer registers 260°F (“hard-ball” stage), about 10-15 minutes.
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Meanwhile, in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat egg whites on medium high speed until stiff peaks form. The goal is to reach stiff peaks as the sugar reaches hard ball stage. I usually start beating the egg whites when the sugar reaches 230°F.
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When sugar mixture is ready, remove saucepan from heat and remove thermometer. Gradually pour hot mixture in a thin stream over egg whites while continuing to beat the whites on high speed.
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Add vanilla and food coloring (if using). Continue beating on high speed until candy starts to lose its gloss, 3-4 minutes. When beaters are lifted, mixture should fall in a ribbon that mounds on itself.
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Test mixture by dropping candy by a spoonful onto waxed paper. If it stays mounded, it’s ready. If mixture flattens, beat ½ to 1 minute more. If mixture is too stiff to spoon or has started to look a little grainy, beat in a few drops of hot water until candy is a softer consistency.
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Immediately stir in walnuts. Quickly drop onto waxed paper, candy will harden within just a few minutes.
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Store in an airtight container at room temperature, candy will keep for at least a week.
A Commitment to Quality: Our Partnership with Diamond of California
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Diamond of California as part of a long-term culinary ambassadorship. My love for their products runs deep, and I’m genuinely thrilled to partner with a brand that consistently delivers exceptional quality. These partnerships are what make Completely Delicious possible, allowing me to continue sharing my passion for baking and creating new recipes for you. Rest assured, all opinions expressed here are always 100% my own, and I only recommend products I truly believe in and use in my own kitchen.
For more fantastic recipes featuring the versatility and deliciousness of nuts, be sure to visit the Diamond Nuts website. You can also connect with them and find inspiration on their social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Happy baking and happy holidays!