Pine Nut Divinity

Name: Pine Nut Divinity
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: about 3 dozen.
Ingredients: 3 cups sugar; 2/3 cup water; 1/2 cup light corn syrup; 2 egg whites; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup pine nuts, toasted

As a boy, I harvested pine nuts from nearby trees. mom would then make this melt-in-your-mouth candy, which my sisters and I would sell at school fund-raisers. It was always a hit.—Ed Horkey, Ahwatukee, Arizona

Ingredients

3 cups sugar
2/3 cup water
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2 egg whites
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup pine nuts, toasted

Directions

In a large saucepan, combine sugar, water and corn syrup; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Cook over medium heat without stirring until a candy thermometer reads 260° (hard-ball stage), about 10-15 minutes. Remove from the heat.
In a large bowl, beat egg whites and salt until stiff peaks form. Beat on high and gradually pour hot sugar mixture in a thin stream over egg whites; continue beating for about 3 minutes. Add vanilla; beat just until candy starts to lose its gloss, about 5 minutes. Stir in the pine nuts.
Working quickly, drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper; or pour into a buttered 9-in. square pan and cut into serving size pieces. Store tightly covered.