Classic Divinity

Sep 21, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Candy confections Origin: Madagascar Vanilla: Extract Advanced

Old-fashioned classic divinity, just like the ones from the candy shop. Best with Madagascar vanilla (rich, creamy, classic); any pure vanilla works. Makes about 36 pieces.

Prep 20 min

Cook 20 min

Set 2 hr

Total 2 hr 40 min

Yield 36 pieces

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

pieces

2 ½ cups (500.0 g)granulated sugar
½ cup (164.0 g)light corn syrup
½ cup (120.0 ml)water
⅛ tspfine sea salt
2.0 (66.0 g)large egg whites, room temperature
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)VanillaGoods pure vanilla extract
1.0 cup (110.0 g)pecans, toasted and chopped

Make it at home

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Instructions

Line two baking sheets with parchment.
In a heavy saucepan, stir the sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Boil without stirring until the syrup reaches 260°F (hard-ball stage).
When the syrup is near 245°F, whip the egg whites in a stand mixer to stiff peaks.
With the mixer on high, pour the hot syrup in a thin stream down the side of the bowl. Add the vanilla and keep beating until the candy loses its gloss and holds its shape, 5 to 10 minutes.
Fold in the pecans and quickly drop by teaspoons onto the parchment, swirling the tops.
Let stand until firm and dry to the touch, about 2 hours.

Tips

Make divinity on a dry day; humidity keeps it from setting.
Test your candy thermometer in boiling water first; it should read 212°F at sea level. If it's off, adjust the target temperature by the same amount. Above 1,000 feet, lower every target by about 2°F per 1,000 feet.
Vanilla swap: use vanilla bean paste 1:1 in place of the extract for visible specks, or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean for each tablespoon of extract.
Best vanilla for this: Madagascar (rich, creamy, classic), or Mexican (spiced, warm, woodsy). Any pure vanilla works.
Storage: Store airtight in single layers at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make classic divinity?

Plan on 20 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, plus 2 hours to set. It makes about 36 pieces.

How should I store classic divinity?

Store airtight in single layers at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

use vanilla bean paste 1:1 in place of the extract for visible specks, or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean for each tablespoon of extract.

Old-fashioned classic divinity, just like the ones from the candy shop. Best with Madagascar vanilla (rich, creamy, classic); any pure vanilla works. Makes about 36 pieces.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 36 servings this recipe makes.

89 Calories / serving

2.2g Fat

17.9g Carbs

0.5g Protein

15.4g Sugar

Whole recipe (36 servings): ~3204 cal · 79g fat · 644g carbs · 18g protein · 554g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 89 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 17 min·1.0 mi·~2000 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 12 min·0.6 mi·~1200 steps
Moderate cycling 9 min·1.8 mi
Swimming laps 12 min
Jogging 9 min·0.8 mi·~1450 steps
Stair climbing 8 min·~700 steps
Dancing 14 min
Bodyweight circuit training 9 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 21 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.