Divinity Candy - What is it, Who invented it.

Divinity candy is a meringue-type confection also known as white divinity fudge. Food historians believe that divinity candy most likely originated in the early 1900s. Although recipes for various nougat and sweet meringue-type confections can be traced to ancient Turkish and 17th century Europe. Food historians generally agree that Divinity is an early 20th century American invention because of the primary ingredients in early Divinity recipes is corn syrup.

The candy titled "divinity" appeared in an American cookbook in 1915. According to these early recipes, the cook beats the ingredients and then drops the mixture by spoonfuls for cooling. However, a recipe for divinity fudge appeared in The New York Times about eight years earlier. This fudge recipe that included cold milk and chopped nuts instructed the cook to spread the mixture in a pan and cut in squares after cooling.

Although references are made to divinity candy being a Southern food, there is no confirmation that is was started in that area of the country. The southern reference could be attributed to the version of divinity that is garnished in the center by a pecan half.

Back to Q&A Index - Internet Cookbook