This easy, No Fail Jell-O Divinity recipe is sure to delight the child in everyone! Pretty pastel candies are the essential treat for your Easter holiday! Lovely for baby showers too!
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You guys are going to love me for this recipe! (And your hips are going to hate me…) After sharing my Three Minute Easter Fluff with you just a few days ago, I thought now would be a good time to share one of my favorite divinity recipes…with a twist!
Jell-O is one of my favorite tools for adding color and flavor to just about anything. This divinity is one such recipe. You are going to love all the variations that this recipe can offer and today I am sharing four that are perfect for Easter or a baby shower. All the colors are light pastels with the pink being the brightest of the bunch. I used cherry Jell-O for this batch because I ADORE all things cherry. Strawberry Jell-O yields a slightly lighter pink so if that is what you are going for, go with strawberry.
I’m kinda in LOVE with the divinity all layered in this trifle bowl – so pretty!
Y’all know I have Ashley’s baby shower coming up next month and this divinity is something else I’ve added to the menu. We’ll be making the pink (cherry or strawberry) and green (lime) versions for the party.
I am a big fan of divinity. Most of the time that I make, it’s for my Dad because it’s one of his favorites. But, it’s also a really delicious addition to any get-together. This particular recipe is pretty much fool proof. The Jell-O not only adds flavor and color – but the gelatin helps the divinity set up quicker. It’s all together awesome.
If you’ve never had divinity before, prepare to be amazed. It’s a treat unlike anything else. Soft pillows of sweet flavor, they are hard to resist. Nougat-like in consistency, the center is slightly chewy and decadently soft. I make my divinity with nuts – usually pecans – but you can leave them out if you like.
One of my secrets for keeping the color so light and fresh is using clear vanilla extract. It’s clear so the colors don’t get muddied at all.
Divinity is candy so you are going to need a candy thermometer. Don’t let that freak you out! Candy thermometers are what makes candy making SO easy. I recommend this digital candy thermometer. It’s great for recipes like this divinity where you just need to let it come to a certain temperature without stirring. See! I told you this was easy!
Feel free to experiment with lots of different flavors. In the picture above, the piece in the front is lime (it’s a really beautiful light green!), the blue is berry blue, the pink is cherry and what appears to be white but is really a soft yellow is lemon. I was shocked that the lemon was my favorite – especially with how much I love cherry, but it is really delicious in this candy recipe.
Please give this No Fail Jell-O Divinity recipe a try! I’m sure it will become a new family favorite!
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- 3 cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup light corn syrup
- ¾ cup water
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 2 egg whites, room temperature
- 3 tbsp Jell-O (powder)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or other flavor (I use clear vanilla extract)
- 1 cup chopped nuts, optional (I almost always use pecans)
- Line 2 large baking sheets with waxed paper. Butter two large spoons and set aside.
- In a 3 quart saucepan, bring the sugar, corn syrup, water and to a boil, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar.
- Once at a boil, stop stirring and cook to 250F - hard ball stage. To do this, clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pot. This candy thermometer will beep when the correct temperature is reached. No fail 🙂
- While the mixture is coming up to temperature, whisk egg whites on high speed in a heavy duty mixer until very stiff peaks form.
- Whisk in the Jell-O until well blended.
- Once the syrup has reached 250F, remove from heat.
- Turn the blender to medium-high and carefully and slowly pour the syrup into the egg white and Jell-O mixture. Like, so slowly, that this should take a good 2 minutes to pour it all in.
- Add the vanilla extract.
- Now it's time to let the mixer go to work. Continue beating until the mixture loses it's shine and holds it's shape when dropped from a spoon. You'll notice that it starts to look more and more sticky. This takes between 4 and 6 minutes usually.
- It's absolutely okay to stop the mixer and test the mixture. If you drop the candy and it looks like a puddle on your waxed paper, continue beating for another minute or two and try again. When it holds it shape you are good to go.
- At this time, mix in the nuts.
- Spoon out a heaping teaspoon or tablespoon of the mixture out a time and use the other spoon to scrape the candy off the spoon. MAKE SURE that your spoons are buttered or the candy will stick. You do NOT need to butter them more than once.
- Once all the candies have been dropped, let cool on the waxed paper.
- Let the candies set out for at least 4 hours, preferable overnight before storing in an airtight container. These candies also do quite well sitting out in the open - no stickiness 🙂
More recipes perfect for Easter!
Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
For all Easter ideas, go HERE.
For all dessert recipes, go HERE.
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Have a great day!
Pam says
How far in advance of an occasion can you make the divinity?
Thanks!!
Amie says
These are so gorgeous! I love divinity but the only time I ever had it was when I was younger and my grandmother made it. Mom is allergic to raw eggs so she cant make it. I was wondering if you can use unflavored jello powder? Also does this taste like the harder to make divinity?
Joan Maglitto says
Weather makes a big difference in our area. Rainy days you can not make divinity the old fashion way it will not set. So dont know what y’alls weather was like for those of you that yours didn’t set. Just a thought. 😉
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Joan! That’s true although the Jell-O really eliminates most of that problem 🙂
Bette Burke says
Made these with orange jello and added mini chocolate chips ! Fabulous !!! Thanks for the recipe.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
What an awesome combination Bette! Yum!
Vivian says
If I wanted to amp up the cherry just a little could I add chopped candied cherries to this recipe? Also what are your thoughts on piping this candy from a pastry bag instead of dropping from a spoon?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
The piping is a great idea, just move fast. As far as the cherry, if they are dry it will be fine – just don’t use maraschino cherries, too wet 🙂
Arthi says
They look so yummy and colourful. I was wondering if I could use gelatin powder instead of jello any idea on that?
[email protected] says
Mine puddled no matter how long I mixed. I mixed for 12 minutes. 😔 What did I do wrong?
Becky says
Mine too 😕
Natalie says
So I want to make these for Easter, but I want to duplicate your beautiful multi-colored effect without making 12 dozen of these. =)
So would this recipe work just as well if I cut everything in a third? That way I could get 3 different colors and still wind up with lots to go around.
How did you do this? Or did you make 12 dozen?
Thanks!
Cynthia Kohut says
My Grandmother use to make Divinity when we came to visit. It was such a treat. Thank you for the recipe and the trip down memory lane. I will have to make this recipe for my family. Have an amazing day.
Tress says
My dad’s a fan of divinity too. This would be fun to make for him at Easter. Thanks for the great recipe.
Tina says
Complete fail!! And when do you add salt?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh no Tina! What went wrong? And the salt is added in step 2 but honestly, it doesn’t really matter when. It’s just to offset the sweetness a bit.
Christine says
Trish; For those who shy away from “making divinity” the old fashioned way you can make it with KRAFT marshmallow cream.
Fantasy Divinity Ingredients
1/2 cup water
2 cups white sugar
1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
any color food coloring
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Directions
In a large heavy saucepan or Dutch oven, stir together the water and sugar. Bring to a boil, and heat to between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface.
Remove from the heat, and stir in the marshmallow creme, vanilla, food coloring and pecans. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes until slightly cooled and thickened. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Chill until firm before storing in an airtight container.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I love this recipe Christine! I’ve made something very similar a few times and it really is delicious. Eliminates all that beating 🙂 Thank you!
Maria says
Can the flavored Jell-Os be used to take place of part of the sugar?
becca says
Divinity was an absolute favorite of my mom and grandmother. I’ve always hesitated to make because of it’s finicky-ness to “turn”, but these pillows of soft color make me want to try!
I do have a clarification question for step 7 … does this involve a blender, or continue with mixer? Thank you!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Just the mixer Becca. Just keep on beating away until it’s nice and thick and you’re good to go. I always do a test piece before continuing to make sure it will hold it’s shape. If it starts to lose it’s shape at all, I continue beating for another minute or two. Enjoy!
Sherri Kenski says
I’m really confused…do you mean Jello powder or jello already made?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Powder Sherri – hope that helps!
Sharon v. says
Don’t want to sound dumb, but when you refer to jello do you mean clear gelatin ?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I mean flavored gelatin such as Jell-O. Does that help?
[email protected] says
OMG!!! You are so genius. Divinity is my favorite!
Michelle says
Hey Trish! So I made these last night & they didn’t set properly for me! They didn’t turn into a puddle or anything when I was placing them on the parchment, but when I went to check them this morning, they were still soft & sticky, kind of like a softer marshmallow consistency.
I was short a tbsp of jello, could that have been why? Thanks! 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It could be the jello…did you happen to check the accuracy of your candy thermometer beforehand? It sounds like it maybe didn’t get to the right temp or possibly it wasn’t beaten long enough. But they still held their shape right?
momofsix says
If the humidity is high that could be the problem too. Jello would help a lot, but making or sitting out in high humidity would affect it.
kate says
my grandmother was the divinity making champion of the world…I can’t get it to turn. but this looks pretty easy, and delicious and i love that you mixed up the colors. way cute. i am totally trying this!! Okay..and probably not but it never hurts to ask, do i need to make any adjustments for HIGH altitude?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I really don’t think you do Kate. Let me know what you think if you give it a try!
Joan says
We live at 7600′ so I’m not going to try it. Whipped egg whites and whipped cream are a big problem here. They do look really good though.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh bummer Joan! Thank you anyways!
John says
heather @french press says
Trish, this is SO pretty, I have never had divinity, but it sounds like something I would lvoe
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I will make it for you some day Heather! Thank you!
Abby (@ No Fail Recipes) says
These are so pretty. I think I will make them for Easter and maybe use Almond extract for flavor. Thanks for the great recipe.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Almond would be delicious Abby! Great idea!
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
Look at that stack. I know you have some of these leftover Trish. I’m about halfway to your house. (jk. but for reals. I need some of this!!!) SO PRETTY!
Kelly says
These are the cutest! I love how pillow-y and soft they are! The colors are so pretty too!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I cannot wait to try this Trish!!