FOLEY'S FOLLIES

Friday, December 18, 2009

Flashback Friday - Sinful Christmas Goodies


Suzy from Kitchen Bouquet is taking a short break but was sweet enough to put Mr. Linky up for anyone who wants to reminisce...

My all time favorite Christmas candy is Divinity..it was also my Dad's favorite. The main difference between us is that Dad liked Black Walnuts in his... I DON'T !! Each year I make a trip to the cemetery to leave Dad a piece of divinity and wish him a Merry Christmas. I have visions of some squirrel out there Christmas Day running around with sugar overload!



My Aunt Valeria’s Divinity recipe is the ULTIMATE!!! The very best of the best …
Even when you don’t get it dropped fast enough and it looks a little “off” it still tastes just like the “pretty” ones. It literally melts in your mouth, almost pure sugar, and not the greatest health food, but that is why you only have it at Christmas! The time of year when we all have things we probably shouldn’t!



Aunt Valeria’s Divinity

3 Cups sugar
½ Cup warm water
½ Cup white corn syrup
3 egg whites or ½ Cup (be sure)
½ tsp cream of tartar
½ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
Walnuts or pecans (optional)

Place sugar, water and corn syrup in heavy pan, bring to a boil and cook to a hard crack
Stage. While syrup is cooking, beat the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt – do not beat dry, just until it peaks.

Pour syrup mixture into egg whites slowly with the mixer at moderate speed. Beat until the mixture stand in soft peaks – 10 to 15 minutes. (Don’t give up) Add vanilla after the mixture is ready to drop.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper, pushing it off the spoon with your finger – do this QUICKLY! Top with nuts is optional. It is very helpful if you have at least two people dropping the mixture on the waxed paper.


The other flashback is Magnolia Lace Trumpets... a recipe from Paula Deen! The other night on Iron Chef she made them with Cat Cora! They can be a little frustrating to make but they are worth it!






Hope you can try out the recipes this Holiday season..you won't be disappointed...

9 comments:

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh those trumpets are so pretty. I want a bite right now! I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas! laurie

Cynthia said...

Barb, those magnolia lace trumpets are LOVELY ... even if they are a pain to make.

Your picture of the divinity is perfect .. I love black walnuts in mine. No one else in my family will eat anything with black walnuts in it, so I rarely have them (in anything). :(

Carol said...

Your divinity looks heavenly!
LOL, squirrels on sugar! Love your tradition :)

I love the trumpets and I remember them, and I remember wanting to have a couple myself!

Cathy said...

Thanks for sharing two very special recipes, Barb. If I made your divinity I wouldn't be able to leave it alone. Oh dear. The trumpets are beautiful and so festive. For some crazy reason they don't seem as sinful as eating a plate of divinity. Whipped cream doesn't have many calories...right?

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

I can't believe I've never made divinity! I'm with your Dad on the black walnuts ;) Wish him a Merry Christmas from me too and, if he likes to go fishing, tell him to look up my Mom and Dad up there :)

Suzy said...

Both of these goodies are so YUM! My grandmother had a great divinity recipe that she got in a trade with one of her daughter's (my aunt) teachers...the teacher wanted her fudge recipe..my grandmother had never been able to do divinity and they teacher could so they swapped! It was called No Fail Divinity! I have only failed with it once hehehehe. The trumpets are amazing..remind me of the krumkake I made with my friends Norwegian mom. Thanks for joining the flashback this week!

Kathy Walker said...

I love the trumpets! How fun. Thank you for sharing!

Marsha said...

The trumpets look really good but I am so craving a good piece of divinity! No one seems to make it around here anymore and bakery versions are just not very good. You have inspired me to make some for my family gathering in January - I will compare your aunt's recipe to my mom's to see if they differ.

Have a great Christmas!

A Grain of Salt said...

Barb, I must learn to make divinity. My Mom ALWAYS made it for Christmas, but it was missing from our family celebration this year. My little great niece asked about it and I told her we'll have to learn to make it together. Those trumpets are BEAU!