Divinity

In a sauce pan, cook (without stirring) the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and hot water. When boiling, cover the pan and cook 3 minutes until the steam washes down all crystals on the pan's sides. Remove lid and cook to hard ball stage (250-F). While the syrup is cooking, beat the egg whites until they peak and hold their shape. Add the vanilla to the egg whites. Whip the whites slowly while pouring the syrup in a thin thread into the egg whites. Toward the end you can pour the syrup a bit faster. Add the optional ingredients, if desired. Drop by teaspoons onto a greased surface, or waxed paper. Let set. Store in a tight container. A candy called Sea Foam is made by substituting brown sugar for white sugar and adding a tablespoon of vinegar to the boiling mixture. Otherwise, it is made exacly the same way. Pick as dry of a day as you possibly can to make this candy. If there is much moisture in the air, it stays sticky and won't set properly.