Never Fail Divinity - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 c. sugar
1/2 c. light corn syrup
3/4 c. water
2 large egg whites
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chopped nuts
food coloring (optional)
chopped candied cherries (optional)

Preparation

Combine sugar, corn syrup and water in heavy saucepan.
Cook until syrup reaches the first ball stage (254\u00b0 on a candy thermometer).
Beat egg whites with salt until stiff, moist peaks form when beaters are raised.
Add half the syrup gradually to egg whites, beating constantly.
Return remaining syrup to stove to boil up again, then gradually beat into egg whites.
Continue beating until dry.
Beat in vanilla and nuts by hand.
Add coloring and cherries if desired.