Chocolate Divinity

This is one of my favorite candy's. My dad was the one that made it and I always loved it. I tried it with the chocolate in it this time, but it's just as good without it, or with some nuts stirred in at the end.

3 cups sugar

3/4 cup light corn syrup

3/4 cup water

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 egg whites

1 12 ounce package (2 cups) semi-sweet real chocolate chips

2 teaspoons vanilla

In 2 quart saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup, water and salt. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved (5 to 8 minutes). Without stirring, continue cooking until candy thermometer reaches 260 ° F or small amount of mixture dropped into ice water forms a hard ball (30 to 60 minutes)

Meanwhile, in large mixer bowl beat egg whites at high speed until soft peaks form (2 to 3 minutes). Reduce to medium speed; continue beating while slowly pouring hot syrup into egg whites in a thin stream.

Beat at high speed, scraping bowl often, until mixture loses gloss and starts to hold shape (4 to 6 minutes) By hand, stir in chocolate chips and vanilla just until chocolate melts and forms swirls. Quickly drop by tablespoonfuls onto buttered cookie sheets. Cool completely.