Soft-Ball Stage Soft-Ball Stage (234-240 degrees F): When the ball of candy is removed from the cold water, the candy instantly flattens and runs over your finger. 1  Soft-Ball Stage (234-240 degrees F): When the ball of candy is removed from the cold water, the candy instantly flattens and runs over your finger.ivinity. 1  Divinity is a classic candy prepared in much the same way as nougat, except the mixture of water, corn syrup, and sugar is boiled to a temperature of 260 degrees F (hard-ball stage) before it is slowly beaten into the egg whites.