Peppermint Divinity
2-1/2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 large egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 or 3 drops red food coloring
1/3 cup finely crushed peppermint stick candy
Line the bottom of a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with wax paper. Butter paper and sides
of pan well. In heavy medium-size saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, water and
salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Then cook,
without stirring, until temperature reaches 260 degrees F (hard ball stage).
Just before that temperature has been reached, beat egg whites with mixer until
stiff. Slowly pour in hot syrup in a thin stream, beating constantly. Add
vanilla and continue beating until mixture just begins to hold its shape when
dropped from a spoon onto wax paper. Pour half of mixture into prepared pan.
Quickly stir peppermint extract, food coloring and crushed candy by hand into
remaining candy. Do not overmix or candy will get stiff and crumbly. Spoon
tinted candy as evenly as possible into pan on top of white candy. Let stand at
room temperature until set and cooled, then cover and chill.
To serve, loosen candy from sides of pan and invert. Remove wax paper and slice
thinly. Cut slices in halves or thirds, as desired.