Southern Pecan Divinity Candy is a nougat type candy flavored with vanilla and pecans. It is a classic Southern candy and there aren’t too many Christmases that go by that I don’t make a batch or two.
I don’t recall exactly how the conversation came about, but as a new bride, I discovered that my husband loves Southern Pecan Divinity Candy. Divinity is a traditional nougat-like Southern candy made with vanilla and pecans. Depending on the weather, it can require a rather lengthy mix time in order for it to set up. I had just gotten a new hand mixer as a wedding gift from our family friend, Esta Price. New husband, new hand mixer. Divinity candy was my destiny.
Over the years, I made Divinity many times at Christmas. Some years the process would go off without a hitch. And then there were the years where my little hand mixer would overheat causing me to have to interrupt the critical mixing step. As the hot sugar syrup was mixed, it thickened and caused too much of a strain on my little mixer’s motor. After many years, I thought I should give up making Divinity until I could afford a stand mixer. By this time, the little hand mixer was getting up in age and I would be heartbroken if it conked out on me.
As life goes, all the stars didn’t line up just right in order for me to resume Divinity making for a long time. But, it finally happened. I was able to buy a stand mixer and I haven’t missed a Christmas of making Divinity since then. I still have the hand mixer 40 plus years later and I use it often. Sacrificing Divinity for years was the right thing to do. The hand mixer means a lot to me. You couldn’t buy a hand mixer today and expect to have it 40 years from now.
I still have the same husband, too. He’s as handsome as the mixer is lovely. They were both built to last. I”ll leave you to draw your own analogy about the durability of today’s hand mixers and husbands.
I wound up with a good mixer and a good husband. What else does a girl need? I’m forever grateful, indeed.
Y’all come see us!
Southern Pecan Divinity Candy
They say you shouldn’t make Divinity when it rains because it’ll never set up properly. I haven’t tested out that theory. I make it when the sun shines. You’re supposed to make Divinity and cut hay when the sun shines.
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup (I use Karo)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
2 egg whites
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 to 2 cup pecans, chopped
Combine sugar, corn syrup, salt and water in a 2 quart saucepan. Stir only until the sugar dissolves. Cook to 260 degrees (hard ball stage). I highly recommend using a food thermometer to make sure you get the syrup to the right temperature.
With an electric mixer, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. When the syrup is ready, slowly pour it over the egg whites while beating on high-speed. BE CAREFUL! The syrup is hot and it will burn the fool out of you if it splatters.
Add vanilla and continue beating until the candy holds is shape.
Add pecans, mix well.
Drop by teaspoons onto waxed or parchment paper.
Let the candy dry on the paper before attempting to stack it in a candy dish or storage container.
Southern Pecan Divinity Candy
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup I use Karo
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 egg whites
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 to 2 cup pecans chopped
Instructions
- Combine sugar, corn syrup, salt and water in a 2 quart saucepan. Stir only until the sugar dissolves. Cook to 260 degrees (hard ball stage). I highly recommend using a food thermometer to make sure you get the syrup to the right temperature.
- With an electric mixer, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. When the syrup is ready, slowly pour it over the egg whites while beating on high-speed. BE CAREFUL! The syrup is hot and it will burn the fool out of you if it splatters.
- Add vanilla and continue beating until the candy holds is shape.
- Add pecans, mix well.
- Drop by teaspoons onto waxed or parchment paper.
- Let the candy dry on the paper before attempting to stack it in a candy dish or storage container.
Dawnina says
I made this last night and have one question regarding at what stage of “soft or hard” should candy be before pouring out in Pyrex dish?? Unable to make the spoon size drops (because hardens SO quickly) as doing single handed? I prefer to cut in squares but LOVE divinity from when my favorite Aunt would make it for Christmas year after year! A family tradition to be treasured. Thanks for your fab YouTube tutorial! Happy Holidays *.*
Jackie Garvin says
As soon as a bite-sized amount retains its shape, you can start scooping it out. It does set up quickly which is why I have my husband help me.
I hope you enjoy the holiday season. Thanks for stopping by.
Kay Dawn Vaughn says
I remember as a child my Mama and my Aunt Vista would make divinity every Christmas and add red food colorjngnto a batch and green to the next. They would sure make mess but loved what hing them then eating a few. Yum
Jackie Garvin says
I’ve seen color tinted divinity candy. It looks festive!
Barbara Smith says
How long do you bake the biscuits????
Jackie Garvin says
This comment appeared under my Divinity recipe, not a biscuit recipe.
Horace Estes says
The divinity is also very tasty if made with black walnuts.
Jackie Garvin says
Thanks for sharing that great tip!
Charlotte says
My first time and it was perfect. I watched at least 10 youtube videos, and yours stuck with me. It was raining today, so I reduced the water by 1 tbsp (don’t remember which video told me to do that). I didn’t even have a candy therm! My mom said this recipe tastes like my grandma’s, which is beyond my talents (I’ll take it!). I will be trying your other recipes.
THANKS!
Jackie Garvin says
Charlotte,
Thank you for this delightful comment. I’m so glad you included us in your family celebration. Have a Happy Thanksgiving. ❤️
Brittany says
The recipe went smoothly, and it is delicious! Thanks for the advanced tip to get assistance from my husband towards the end there–it sets up so quickly!!
Jackie Garvin says
All hands on deck! So glad you enjoyed the recipe. ❤️
Kay Dawn Vaughn says
Just reading all your posts makes the holiday brighten Please forgive my post and the errors. Had to have screws in both my thumbs and make a mess of things sometimes. Such beautiful memories you all brought back to my mind
Jackie Garvin says
Hi Kay,
I wish you a happy and blessed new year. Best of luck with healing and recuperation on your thumbs. That sounds painful!
Sue says
I haven’t made divinity since my mother died. She was one good divinity maker., creamy and so smooth but firm on the outside. I think I’ll make it this year with my husband’s help, of course. My hand mixer dates to my single days and we have been married over 49 years. I got the mixer with S&H Green Stamps. I have used it a lot. That’s a good hand mixer! I will use my Kitchen Aid for this because I don’t want to get another hand mixer. My mixer was built to last as was my husband!
Carolyn Blake says
The taste is amazing, but mine came out a little bit soft and sticky. I think it has to do with my being at 6,000 feet elevation. any suggestion as to how to get them a little bit drier? Higher temp for the syrup?
Vicey says
Thanks so much for sharing recipe with us. It’s perfect and my family and friends love it. It’s truly perfect Christmas Candy .