Divinity

[Carrie]

I'm planning on trying (trying being the operative word) to make divinity for Christmas and had a couple of questions that I hoped some of you expert chefs could answer.

First, is it ok to freeze divinity? I'm making a ton of stuff in advance and popping it in the freezer, but popping divinity in the freezer seems kind of scary since I know it is sensitive.

Second, do you think i could use a meat thermometer instead of a candy thermometer? I have searched high and low for a candy thermo, but have had zero luck. I guess I can just do the cold water test thing, but that scares me. I've tried to make divinity twice before in my life and have learned that it is darned tricky stuff to work with.

Any advice would be appreciated

Carrie

[Carolyn]

I don't think a meat thermometer would work very well. First, you can't clip it onto the side of the pan and you know the tip can't touch the bottom. Secondly, it's not as sensitive in terms of degrees.

Maybe Shelly (Cake Guru) knows where to get a candy thermometer? She said something about a lady in G'borg who carries Wilton supplies, so maybe there?

I do know that it's a good idea not to do divinity when there's a lot of moisture in the air because it's sensitive to high humidity.

[LadyDuff]

Hello Ladies,

What is divinity??

[Pam]

I've never tried freezing divinity, it's never lasted long enough to even consider in my family. My best tip is NO PLASTIC. Use glass bowls, wash them in really hot water and dry them just prior to making your candy. This goes for beaters and utensils also. Plastic has a greasy film and can have an effect on the divinity. If you have to use the water test use a glass cup or bowl also.
I have no idea where to find a candy thermometer in Sweden. My grandmother would have a fit if she thought I even knew what one was. You know, new-fangled, you don't NEED it, waste of money.....she advises to not make fudge or divinity during certain times of the month also.

[Carrie]

I didn't know about the no plastic thing, though it does make sense. I know you can't use plastic for certain things. I think I've decided I'll try to make it the day before we leave for Skåne so I won't need to freeze it. And I'll try to use the water test. I'm trying to emotionally prepare myself for disaster, but I really want some divinity. I haven't had it in years, so I don't know why I am craving it now.

Lady Duff--Divinity is a soft, white candy made from corn syrup and egg whites. Usually there are nuts in it. It's hard to explain. Go here search.allrecipes.com/SearchResults.asp?site=allrecipes&allrecipes=allrecipes&q1=divinity to see some recipes for it. I'm trying to make it and some other typical American goodies to take down to the in-laws, mainly b/c their idea of Christmas sweets involve one bullar each. I guess it is good that they don't eat a lot of candy and stuff, but it's Christmas! I need my candy and cookies. I do hope that they enjoy the stuff I bring and will eat it. Otherwise I'll eat too much and beat myself up over it later.

[LadyDuff]

Oh thank you so much! I think I know what it is now!!

[Natooke]

Would you discribe it like a taffy candy?

[Carolyn]

No, it's not like a taffy. Basically, it's stiff beaten egg whites where you pour a sugar syrup over and keep beating tons of air into it for about five minutes. The syrup is cooked to a hard crack stage. At the last minute, you add nuts and flavoring, usually vanilla, and then drop it by spoonfuls onto parchment paper, where it sets up into little snowy mounds.

[Pam]

Divinity - a soft, sweet cloud with pecans.
IF it doesn't flop. Then it's like taffy but still good to eat on crackers. Not that I ever had it flop.

[LadyDuff]

Carolyn said:

No, it's not like a taffy. Basically, it's stiff beaten egg whites where you pour a sugar syrup over and keep beating tons of air into it for about five minutes. The syrup is cooked to a hard crack stage. At the last minute, you add nuts and flavoring, usually vanilla, and then drop it by spoonfuls onto parchment paper, where it sets up into little snowy mounds.

Ooooh thank you, Now Im getting a picture of it in my mind and I think I know what it is!! Im going to see if I can get a picture of it somewhere...Im the kind of person who needs pics to understand things, as well as words!

[Bunny]

You should be able to get a candy thermometer in special kitchen utility stores, for instance Werner&Werner. I bought mine at Åhlens some years ago.

[Natooke]

Carrie ... I was wondering if you tried making Divinity? and how did it come out ;D
Listen if you are having troubles finding a candy thermometer up North ... I will go and buy one for you and ship it ... that's if you give me the go ahead any excuse to do some shopping in the city ;D ;D

[Carrie]

Natooke! That is so incredibly sweet of you. Actually, I made the divinity yesterday sans candy thermo and it turned out perfect. I just boiled the heck out of it and let it reach hard crack (though the recipe said hard ball) and I had no problems. I added red food coloring to it, though I'm not sure why, and Mike thought it looked unappetizing. Then he tried a piece and I didn't think I was going to have any left for Christmas!

We are going to be in Stockholm briefly on the 28th, so maybe I can check out Åhlens then and see if they have one. It would be handy to have one, though I guess it is possible to live without one. We have three places on our shopping list in Stockholm, so I do hope we have time for all of them. Åhlens is already on the list because they have a fairly decent (for Sweden) country music section. We'll also be stopping by the American food store and seeing what I can't live without and then loading up with books at the SF bookstore. I can't wait! That's the only part of Christmas I'm looking fwd to.

Carrie

[Carolyn]

Carrie,

Check the music department at NK, they have a very good country section.

[Carrie]

What or where is NK? I've never heard of it.