This Jello Divinity is a colorful, fruity version of the classic holiday confection. Colored and flavored using your favorite Jello, these candies are perfectly chewy and quick and easy to make.
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Jello Divinity Candy
This colorful, fruity Jello Divinity Candy is a fun twist on the classic homemade confection. These nougat-style treats are just as chewy as the original but made with your favorite flavors of Jello. Still perfect for Christmas, Jello Divinity is also great for Easter, baby showers, birthday parties and other special occasions throughout the entire year.
Even though Divinity requires a candy thermometer, don’t let the recipe scare you. We’ll show you how to make your Jello Divinity perfectly chewy every single time. Feel free to top with pecans, sprinkles, or keep as is.
Ingredients in Jello Divinity
- Sugar - you’ll need to use plain white granulated sugar to make this recipe.
- Water - this helps the sugar mixture cook evenly.
- Corn Syrup - corn syrup helps to make sure that the sugar doesn’t crystallize while it cooks, making the candy grainy.
- Salt - sea salt works great.
- Egg Whites - make sure that your egg whites have no trace of yolks and that the bowl is incredibly clean before you add them to whip. Any trace of fats will affect how well the egg whites whip.
- Jell-O - you can use any flavor of Jell-O that you like. Just make sure not to use the pudding mixture.
- Vanilla Extract - pure vanilla extract has the best flavor.
How to Make Jello Divinity Candy
- Cook the sugar mixture. In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, water, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar dissolves. Use a candy thermometer and cook without stirring until the temperature reaches 260 degrees F - about 10 minutes.
- Simultaneously whip the egg whites. While the sugar mixture is cooking, add the egg whites to the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Add the Jell-O. Slowly add the Jell-o powder to the whipped egg whites, being careful not to deflate them.
- Pour the hot syrup into the whipped egg whites. Once the sugar mixture reaches 260 degrees F, immediately remove from the heat and carefully pour a slow steady stream of sugar into the egg white and Jell-O mixture while whipping on low speed. Once all of the sugar syrup has been added, increase the speed to medium high. Continue to whip for about 5 minutes until the candy loses its gloss. Add vanilla and mix until combined.
- Test the set. Turn the mixer off and test that a small scoop of Divinity will hold its shape on the parchment. If not, continue beating on high speed for another 1-2 minutes.
- Scoop. Grease spoons or an ice cream scoop and drop scoops of the candy mixture onto the parchment lined baking sheet, working quickly so that the candy doesn't set up.
- Let the candy set. Allow the Jell-O Divinity Candy to set uncovered at room temperature, then store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Most often, if your Divinity turns out grainy, it’s because you either cooked the sugar syrup too long or not long enough. You need to cook the sugar until a candy thermometer reads 260 degrees F, or hard ball stage. Outside humidity can also affect the final texture of your Divinity, so if possible make this recipe on a dry, cool day rather than hot or rainy one.
Divinity can take anywhere from 2-12 hours to set up completely, depending on how humid it is outside, how accurate your candy thermometer is, and how large the candies that you scooped are. Make sure to let them set up in a dry, cool place at room temperature.
The best way to store any kind of Divinity is in an airtight container at room temperature. It should last up to 5 days if stored properly. You’ll want to avoid storing Divinity in the refrigerator because it introduces too much moisture, making the candy sticky. If you wish to store for longer, you can also freeze Divinity for up to 2 months.
Storing
- Room Temperature: Divinity can be stored in an airtight container in a cool dark place at room temperature for up to 5 days. This is preferable to the refrigerator because that will introduce additional moisture.
- Freezer: you can freeze your homemade candy in an airtight container for up to 2 months. When ready to thaw, pull to room temperature and remove the candies from the container. Transfer to baking sheets lined with parchment or waxed paper in a single layer to help any retained moisture evaporate.
Jello Divinity Candy
Ingredients
- 3 cups Sugar
- 2 cups Water
- 1 cup Corn Syrup
- 1 3-oz packet Jell-O any flavor
- 2 large Egg Whites
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large pot over medium heat, combine the sugar, water, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar dissolves. Use a candy thermometer and cook without stirring until the temperature reached 260 degrees F - about 10 minutes.
- While the sugar mixture is cooking, add the egg whites to the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Whip until stiff peaks form.
- Slowly add the Jell-o powder to the whipped egg whites, being careful not to deflate them.
- Once the sugar mixture reaches 260 degrees F, immediately remove from the heat and carefully pour a slow steady stream of sugar into the egg white and Jell-o mixture while whipping on low speed. Once all of the sugar syrup has been added, increase the speed to medium high.
- Continue to whip for about 5 minutes until the divinity loses a little sheen. Add the vanilla and mix until combined. Turn the mixer off and test that a small scoop of Divinity will hold its shape on the parchment. If not, continue to beat on high for another 1-2 minutes.
- Grease spoons or an ice cream scoop and drop scoops of the divinity onto the parchment lined baking sheet, working quickly so that the candy doesn't set up.
- Allow the Jell-o Divinity Candy to set uncovered at room temperature, then store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Enjoy!
Nutrition
More Easy Homemade Candy Recipes
- Homemade Caramels
- Chocolate Covered Caramel
- Cracker Jacks
- Saltine Cracker Toffee
- Peanut Brittle
- Peanut Butter Balls
- Homemade Caramel Popcorn
- Coconut Caramel Popcorn
- Fall Party Mix
- Nilla Wafer Caramel Candy
- More Dessert Recipes
- More Christmas Candy Recipes
This Jello Divinity Candy is a fun, colorful, fruity twist on the classic homemade confection. It's quick and easy to make and perfect for Christmas, Easter, baby showers, and so many other special occasions.
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