Pecan Divinity - Individual

Divinity is a classic Southern confection that has been served on holiday platters for generations, and it is unlike anything else on our shelves. The base is whipped egg whites folded into hot sugar syrup, which gives the candy its signature fluffy, cloud-like body. We fold in our fresh orchard pecans to add a toasty crunch that plays off the airy sweetness. Compared with our pralines or Caramillicans, divinity is lighter, less buttery, and almost meringue-like in texture. If you have ever heard somebody say a piece of candy melts in your mouth, they were probably talking about divinity.

Divinity is a little more delicate than caramel-based candies, so storage matters. Each piece comes individually wrapped to seal out air and humidity, which are the two things most likely to firm up the texture. If you keep it in a cool, dry spot in your pantry, it will stay soft and pillowy for about two to three weeks. We do not recommend the refrigerator because the moisture can change the texture, but you can freeze divinity in an airtight container for longer storage. Just thaw it slowly at room temperature, still wrapped, before unwrapping.

Divinity is a sweet candy by nature, so we will not pretend it tastes anything like a plain pecan. What it does have going for it, though, is that we use plenty of fresh orchard pecans in every batch. Those pecans bring a deep, buttery nuttiness that cuts through the sweetness and gives the candy a more rounded flavor than the sugar would deliver on its own. Folks who lean toward the savory side often tell us this is the only divinity they will eat, because the pecan flavor pulls its weight rather than disappearing into the background… but it is a sweet treat!

It really comes down to texture, since all three start with a sweet base and a generous helping of pecans. Fudge is dense and creamy, almost like soft chocolate, while our chewy pralines stretch and pull a little when you bite into them. Divinity is the airy outlier of the bunch, lighter than either fudge or praline, and it has a more nostalgic, old-fashioned feel that reminds many customers of holidays at a grandparent's house. If you cannot make up your mind, a lot of folks just order a piece of each so they can do a taste test at home.

Yes, our pecan divinity is gluten free, which is one of the reasons it makes such a thoughtful gift around the holidays when relatives have varied dietary needs. The ingredients are simple: sugar, egg whites, corn syrup, vanilla, and our own orchard pecans, all made in small batches in our candy kitchen. As with any of our treats, if you have specific allergen questions or are managing a strict cross-contact concern, give our country store a call and we will be happy to walk you through how the candy is made.