Cookie/Candy ExchangeSince my new best friend "The Flu" seems to be staying with me all week, I did something very simple. Turtles and Divinity.
Every year the girls and I have a baking day to make little goodies to put on plates for our neighbors. I try to make things that they can actually make and so I have compiled a list of kid friendly recipes. These are two of them.
4 cups sugar
1 cup white corn syrup
3/4 cup cold water
3 egg whites
1 teaspoon pure vanilla
2 cups chopped pecansIn a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stir together the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir only until sugar has dissolved. Do not stir after this point. Cook syrup mixture until it reaches 250 degrees F on a candy thermometer, bringing it to a hard ball stage.
While the syrup is cooking, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Once the sugar mixture reaches 250 degrees F, carefully pour a slow steady stream of syrup into the stiffly beaten egg whites, beating constantly at high speed. Add the vanilla and continue to beat until mixture holds its shape, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in pecans.
Using 2 spoons, drop the divinity onto waxed paper, using 1 spoon to push the candy off the other. This may take a little practice because the technique is to twirl the pushing spoon, making the candy look like the top of a soft serve ice cream. If the candy becomes too stiff, add a few drops of hot water. You will need to work fast when making this type of candy. After you spoon the cooked sugar and nuts onto the waxed paper, you're done. Cool the candies on racks completely. You can store them in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Here is a photo from last year of Annie Kate licking the spoon, makes you kind of nervous to eat anything we make huh...
9 comments:
What a fun Activity Day. I am an Activity Day leader I think this activity would work for February/Valenties Day as well.
I love divinity. My mom used to make it every year. Every time I feel like making it these days, it is always too humid.
I wish I would have thought to do a cookie exchange activity for our activity days, dang it! Maybe next year.
I love your little turtles! I am going to have to do that next week with my girls. They will love making them.
Love the turtles too! I love the green plate they are on, so festive. I want to make the divinity, it always reminds me of Christmas and love that you colored it pink!
What a great AD activity! I always love new recipes...I have never made the turtles and divinity! Both look so good!
That turtle recipe looks great! I can't wait to make them -- I love how easy they look, a perfect recipe to make with the little guys!
Divinity was something we made EVERY year growing up as well. For some reason I felt like it took all day. Funny what how you remember things as a kid. Hope you are feeling well soon.
Just going back to steal some recipes for a party tomorrow... and I didn't even have to wake you up!
What would I do without your blog?
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