3 cups sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1/2 cup water
2 egg whites, (room temperature)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 drops red food coloring
1/3 cup red maraschino cherries, chopped
1/2 cup pecans chopped
Mix sugar, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan and bring to boil. Cover pan for 3 minutes or until steam inside the pan has melted sugar crystals down from sides. Remove cover and continue cooking without stirring until syrup spins a long thread when tested with a spoon (about 254 degrees F. at sea level). While syrup is cooking, place egg whites in a large bowl and beat until they are just stiff enough to hold their shape. When syrup is done, pour over the egg whites in a fine stream, beating vigorously. Do not scrape pan. Add vanilla and red food coloring to tint pink. Continue beating until candy is thick and creamy and holds its shape. Stir in cherries and pecans. Drop from a teaspoon onto waxed paper. Divinity does not keep well, so plan to serve it while it is fresh. Makes 4 dozen pieces.