In the spirit of full disclosure I offer this post as evidence that I have many culinary events that don’t quite turn out as planned.
About this time of year, as I start in on holiday baking in a big way I often become nostalgic about things from my childhood. One of the things that has been coming to mind for a year or so it the candy that one of my Aunt’s made every year. She made several different varieties but two that keep pushing their way into my mind are Divinity and Penuche.
I had decided to make them both this year and have been looking at recipes trying to find something that seems like it was what my Aunt made each year. Unfortunately, I can’t justask her as she passed away several years ago.It turns out that most divinity recipes are very similar and so I decided to use the one in my old Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book, figuring that would be very likely to be the one she used.
Now, making divinity comes with all kinds of warnings about humidity and weather. You can’t make it if it is "too" humid or if it’s raining. The moisture in the air will keep the candy from setting and drying properly. However, I couldn’t find anywhere what "too" humid actually translated to. But I grew up in Oregon and my aunt lived across the street from me and she managed to somehow successfully make this candy in the Northwest winters so I figured I could, too!
Yesterday, we had our second dry day in a row – at least at my house, although there was rain in the area. I checked the humidity – under 60% outdoor and about 45% in my house (it’s winter and I’m running the heat for gosh sakes!) and thought that might be safe.
So I measured all my ingredients, starting heating the sugar, corn syrup and water and was generally really looking forward to the final product!
I should have known that whole thing might not turn out as planned when about 5 minutes into the process I had my first little setback.The sugar mixture had just started boiling and I was attaching the candy thermometer to the pan when the thermometer suddenly snapped out of the clip (that would hold it to the pan) sending hot sugar all over the stove top, down the oven doors, all over the floor and onto some cookies sheets I had sitting nearby waiting for another batch of cookies! Now it wasn’t that much that splashed out but, as you know or can imagine, even a little bit of liquid sugar is a sticky, sticky mess.
So, while trying to watch and whip the egg whites for the next step and watch the thermometer (I was now using a quick read that I had to dip in every now and then) for hardball stage – 260F, pretty dang hot – I was also trying to clean up the sugar mess before it had a chance to spread over the entire kitchen and from there take over the house!
So it is possible that I messed up somewhere in there but I really think I was juggling it all pretty well.
Anyway, after the whites were whipped and the sugar mixture incorporated and letting it beat until the batter was super stiff I started dropping the candy by teaspoonful onto the prepared cooking sheets. I was very proud as I was even getting the little twirl on the top (kind of like a Hershey’s Kiss top but fallen over) that I remembered from my Aunt’s candies. However, as I finished spooning out the candy the first pieces were slowly slipping into pools of white glue.
My first thought was that I just hadn’t beat the egg whites or the egg whites mixed with sugar long enough, which could be the case. But after waiting several hours and then trying to peel the candy "disks" from the wax paper to no avail – they weren’t letting go, it was clear that the candy just wasn’t dry enough – was this a problem with the hated humidity???? I’m not sure. There’s a third possible point of failure and that’s with the temperature, as using the thermometer the way I was is not really the most accurate way of measuring temperature.
So yesterday afternoon I took all the white polk-a-dotted wax paper from the cooking trays and tossed them into the garbage. I was bummed. But it looks like we have a streak of dry (and colder!) days coming later in the week. So I thinkI’ll have a chance to try again soon!
I also looked at an older version of the same cookbook that was my Mom’s. It was printed in 1951 and I noticed that there are slight differences in the recipe. I may try that version next time.
In the meantime, Penuche is not as temperamental so I’ll give it a try and see if I can duplicate the taste I remember from those Christmas past.
FAQs
The Ranger in Divinity: Original Sin 2 is the most versatile and easiest-to-play Ranged-focus class in the game. It has multiple attacks that target multiple enemies, as well as self-buffs and party-buffs aplenty.
What is the hardest difficulty in Divinity: Original Sin 2? ›
Honor Mode Is DOS 2's Most Difficult Challenge.
Is Divinity 2 bad? ›
Many popular things are bad, from an objective design standpoint this game is awful, the fact it is a game with levelled areas but somehow you can do enough to get to an area then run out of things to do and then not be a high enough level meaning you just have to struggle until the game finally drip feeds you enough ...
How long do you have to beat divinity? ›
When focusing on the main objectives, Divinity: Original Sin is about 66½ Hours in length. If you're a gamer that strives to see all aspects of the game, you are likely to spend around 108 Hours to obtain 100% completion.
Is Divinity a hard game? ›
If you don't farm enough to get all the skills and some good armour then yes it can be hard. The good thing about this game is like even after 80 hours there are still things to learn and to experiment. eh, kinda. On normal difficulty it's harder than the average game but not quite at "the dark souls of" level.
Who is the best beginner character dos2? ›
TL;DR: Customizing your class is obviously the best choice, but Knight, Rogue, Wizard, Enchanter, and Shadowblade work fine if you're in a rush, and Ranger, Wayfarer, Conjurer, and Fighter work decently if you're feeling brave.
Can you beat Divinity Original Sin 2 alone? ›
Divinity: Original Sin 2 lets players experience the campaign either as a party or as a lone wolf. While the latter provides a great challenge, going in with a party is always nicer since it brings in versatility.
How long does it take to beat divinity 2 original sin? ›
When focusing on the main objectives, Divinity: Original Sin II is about 59 Hours in length.
What is the max level in Divinity Original Sin 2? ›
Technically, the hard level cap is Lv50, however, from what I hear, the actual soft-cap you'll encounter in a play-through is around Lv20 or so before you run out of sources of significant EXP.
Is divinity 2 basically DnD? ›
No, not at all. Baldur's Gate uses DnD 5e, DOS2 uses it's own RPG system.
Fantastic. Divinity 2 is a unique and addictive experience. It was my first contact with a turn-based RPG and at first sight I loved the game's proposal. The world and characters keep you hooked for hours of gameplay.
Can you be evil in divinity? ›
yes but it's kind of a last minute choice. You can of course be as much of ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ as you want, steal stuff, kill people, pick evil choices along the way, and still finish the game, and honestly probably have an easier time than someone who plays purely good.
Do I have to play divinity 1 before 2? ›
No, there is no requirement to play Divinity: Original Sin to enjoy playing Divinity: Original Sin 2. If you have played Divinity: Original Sin however, you might just find a few subtle throwbacks.
What to do with failed divinity? ›
You can sometimes correct a divinity fail. If it is too stiff, add very hot water, beating in a half tablespoon at a time until it reaches a fluffy consistency. If it is too thin and does not set, try adding 1/2 tablespoon at a time of powdered sugar until it thickens.
Does the weather affect making divinity? ›
What weather is best? The old classic candy divinity is one such candy that needs a good, dry forecast for several days when making. This cloud-looking candy can be a fickle beast to make if there is too much humidity around. The candy needs drier air to set properly.
What is the best class in divine divinity? ›
Since charms can balance out the differences in the hit points and mana points for characters, the only major difference between the classes is the damage they do, and warriors get a huge advantage in that regard. So warriors are probably the best class, regardless of the type of character you plan to play.
What is the best class for the main character in Divinity 2? ›
Recommended Starting Class: Ranger
Despite small differences between these Classes, the Ranger's Huntsman and Pyrokinetic focuses make them more offensive combatants. Rangers start with Elemental Arrowheads (Huntsman 1), enabling them to tinker with the battlefield with various surface-changing arrows.
Does class matter in Divinity Original Sin 2? ›
The equipment and items a player starts out with depend on the class they choose. Your class or origin, in particular, has an impact on how you play Divinity Original Sin 2. Your background has different effects.
How do you level up fast in divinity? ›
From something as simple as completing quests to leveraging the right talents, here's how to level up quickly in Divinity: Original Sin 2.
- 9 Find Better Gear.
- 10 Pickpocket Vendors & NPCs. ...
- 11 Stock Up On Potions And Healing. ...
- 12 Complete Personal Quests. ...
- 13 Complete All Main Quests. ...
- 14 Explore All The Things. ...
