Pretty Holiday Divinity
Pretty Holiday Divinity is a festive, sweet confection featuring fluffy egg whites, colorful gelatin, crunchy nuts, and shredded coconut. Its glossy texture and vibrant appearance make it perfect for holiday celebrations and gift-giving, appealing to those who enjoy nostalgic, buttery, and nutty treats.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Butter the sides of a 2-quart saucepan and place sugar, light syrup, hot water, and salt in it.
- Cook and stir constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil.
- Cook to hard ball stage (250°F) without stirring.
- Beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
- Gradually beat in the gelatin until stiff peaks form.
- Pour the hot syrup slowly over the egg white mixture. Beat constantly at high speed until soft peaks form and the mixture starts to lose its gloss.
- Stir in nuts and coconut.
- Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.
Tips & Substitutions
For best results, ensure that your egg whites are at room temperature before beating, as this helps achieve maximum volume. If you prefer a different flavor, consider substituting the gelatin with a fruit-flavored powder of your choice. If the mixture is too sticky, using a bit of cornstarch on your hands can help when forming the drops. This recipe is perfect for holiday gatherings.
Serving Suggestions
These delightful divinity candies make a festive addition to holiday dessert trays. Serve them alongside cookies such as Chocolate Marshmallow Brownies or Praline Supreme for a colorful and varied spread. For a special touch, package them in decorative boxes as gifts for friends and family.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover divinity in an airtight container at room temperature. To prevent sticking, separate layers with wax paper. They will maintain their texture for up to a week. Avoid refrigeration, as it can cause the candies to become too soft and lose their signature chewiness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pretty Holiday Divinity contains roughly 86 calories, with 3g protein, 17g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is a good source of vitamin C (13% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make divinity without using gelatin?
While gelatin provides structure, you can experiment with vegan alternatives like agar-agar. However, the texture may differ slightly, so be prepared for a unique outcome. Always follow the package instructions for best results with substitutes.
What can I do if my divinity doesn't set properly?
If your divinity hasn't set, it may not have reached the hard ball stage. You can try reheating the mixture gently and cooking it to the correct temperature. Alternatively, you can mix it into a cake batter, like Mother'S Applesauce Cake, to avoid waste.
How do I know when the syrup is at the hard ball stage?
To check if the syrup has reached the hard ball stage, use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature. It should read 250°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can drop a small amount into cold water; it should form a hard ball when ready.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).