Description
Jello Divinity is a vibrant and airy candy made by combining fluffy whipped egg whites with flavored gelatin and a hot sugar syrup cooked to the hard ball stage. This classic southern confection features bright colors and a crunchy texture from chopped nuts, making it a delightful treat perfect for holiday gifting or a sweet indulgence.
Ingredients
Syrup Ingredients
- 2½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ½ cup water
Divinity Ingredients
- 2 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 3 ounces flavored jello (pink, yellow, purple; typically strawberry, lemon, and grape flavors)
- ½ cup pecans, finely chopped (or any preferred nuts)
Instructions
- Prepare Sugar Syrup: In a 3 to 4-quart heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir continuously until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Cook to Hard Ball Stage: Attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan. Once the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils, stop stirring. Let the syrup cook undisturbed until it reaches 260°F, the hard ball stage.
- Prepare Tools: Spray or butter two teaspoons and set aside. Line two baking sheets with parchment or wax paper and set aside.
- Whip Egg Whites: Just before the syrup reaches temperature, start whipping the egg whites in a stand mixer with a whip attachment on high speed until foamy.
- Add Jello Powder: Reduce mixer speed to medium-low and slowly add the first flavor/color of jello powder. Then increase mixer speed back to high.
- Add Hot Syrup: Remove the pan from heat and the candy thermometer. With mixer running on high, slowly drizzle the hot syrup into the jello and egg whites mixture carefully to avoid splattering. Continue to whip for 4 to 5 minutes until the mixture loses its shine and thickens.
- Incorporate Nuts: Gently fold in the chopped pecans with a spatula.
- Form Divinity Drops: Quickly use one of the prepared spoons to scoop 1 to 1½ tablespoons of divinity and the other spoon to push it off onto the lined baking sheets forming small mounds.
- Repeat for Other Flavors: Repeat the whipping and syrup addition steps separately with the remaining jello colors/flavors to produce distinct colored divinity batches.
- Dry the Divinity: Allow the divinity drops to sit uncovered at room temperature for 2 to 4 hours until they become dry and no longer sticky to the touch.
Notes
- Use a stand mixer if possible for easier mixing and syrup drizzling.
- Ensure egg whites are at room temperature for better volume when whipped.
- Carefully monitor sugar temperature to reach the exact hard ball stage (260°F) for proper texture.
- Use parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking and for easy removal of divinity.
- Different jello flavors can be layered or combined for unique color effects.
