Black Walnut Divinity

2 cups granulated sugar
½ cup light corn syrup
½ cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large egg whites
1 cup chopped black walnuts

Combine sugar, corn syrup and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook syrup to hard-ball stage (250-265-degrees F.). While syrup is cooking, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Pour syrup slowly into egg whites, beating constantly until candy loses its gloss and holds shape. Immediately fold in vanilla and walnuts. Drop by spoonfuls onto a waxed paper covered tray.

Yield: 18 pieces.

This recipe was handed down by Todd's great-grandmother Ola  (Viola Gares), who made the best black walnut divinity in the world.