Divinity from Savannah’s Candy Kitchen
Lighter than air?
Perhaps not. But it’s been said more than once that these delectable treats remind folks of a soft silky breeze on a lazy Georgia afternoon. Each handmade Classic Southern Pecan Divinity consists of egg whites, pecan pieces, fine sugar and corn syrup, whipped to frothy perfection and then topped with a Mammoth Georgia pecan half (to coax them back down to earth).
Classic Southern Divinity
| 12 Pecan Divinity Gift Box Item #: 1021 |
$25.95 | |
| 18 Pecan Divinity/ Gift Box Item #: 1022 |
$34.95 | |
| 24 Pecan Divinity/ Gift Box Item #: 1023 |
$39.95 |
Our favorite southern candy obviously has to be cooked in a southern candy kitchen. That’s no problem here, because we’re about as far south as you can get and stay in the continental US. Except for Florida, and Florida doesn’t really count as the south. 
All of the links that you find here will take you to wonderful places that will give you more ideas, offer products to help make better goodies in your own southern candy kitchen, or let you order wonderful treats and pretend you made them yourself. Enjoy!
Pralines are candies made of nuts and sugar. Here in the deep South, pecans are often at a surplus, so pecan pralines are popular. You will find recipes at the links on the right-hand side of the page, but whatever the recipe, you’ll need to cook candy to a “soft ball stage” before adding the pecans. When you drizzle a bit of candy into a cup of cold water, it should form a soft ball which does not hold shape. The candy should flatten out between your fingers.
Easy Pecan Pralines
2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup milk
2 cups pecan halves
Combine sugars and milk. Cook over low heat to soft ball stage (240°). Beat until almost cool. Add pecans. Drop by tablespoon onto waxed paper. Flatten and allow to cool and harden slightly. Yields two dozen.
Savannah’s Original Pecan Pralines
| 12 Piece Gift Box Item #: 1031 |
$25.95 | |
| 18 Piece Gift Box Item #: 1032 |
$34.95 | |
| 24 Piece Gift Box Item #: 1033 |
$39.95 |
First, let’s be clear. Chocolate fudge and chocolate candy are not the same thing. Chocolate fudge is more dense than candy, is heavier, and usually served in smaller, thicker chunks. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but according to the tale, fudge was created by accident. Over 100 years ago somebody trying to make caramel “fudged” the recipe — hence the name.
At any rate, here in the South we allow that our neighbors in the north make some mighty good fudge. Down here, we usually make it with pecans, but it’s really good without them, as well. You’ll be using sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa. You want a good heavy bowl in which to mix the ingredients, and a sturdy saucepan that heats evenly. As you cook your fudge, you want to maintain a good heat that will let the fudge bubble without boiling over. If you are not comfortable with cold water testing, you may want to purchase a candy thermometer so that your chocolate fudge is perfect. Best ingredients, proper tools. Outstanding result.
If you choose to make your own southern divinity candy, keep a few things in mind. First, if it’s raining don’t try to make southern divinity. Next, you’ll need to cook the candy to the hard ball stage. Candy has reached the hard ball stage when it will hold its shape when dropped into a cup of cold water.
After completion, the mixture hardens quickly, so you must work rapidly to drop the mixture onto waxed paper. Add a few drops of hot water if the mixture gets too thick before you are finished. If the mixture won’t hold up, beat again for one minute. Some recipes mention using two spoons to scrape the mixture onto the paper. With a twirling motion, you can create a swirl-like effect, similar to the peak of a cone of soft serve ice cream. Store the candy in a tightly-covered container.
Some folks will pour their divinity into a pan and let it harden before cutting, but no self-respecting Southerner would take that shortcut. You’ll want to make genuinely divine southern divinity.
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