There’s something truly magical about the way chewy, colorful gumdrops melt into creamy, sweet nougat, and that’s why this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe has a special place in my holiday dessert lineup. It’s festive, fun, and just bursting with nostalgia—perfect for gifting or treating yourself during holiday bustle.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m genuinely excited to share this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe because it brings together a few of my favorite holiday sweets—gumdrops, marshmallows, white chocolate—in one dazzling, chewy bite. It’s simple enough for even a novice and always impresses guests with its colorful charm.
- Boldly Festive: The bright gumdrops aren’t just for show; they add chewiness and a burst of fruity flavor that keeps every bite exciting.
- Easy & Quick: No candy thermometer or tricky cooking, just microwaving and stirring, making it approachable for any skill level.
- Customizable: You can swap gumdrops or add nuts if you want to get creative—I've tried both and loved the results.
- Perfect Gift or Treat: Wrap it up for friends or enjoy with a cup of hot cocoa; this candy captures the holiday spirit beautifully.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This candy is a happy marriage of ingredients that balance creamy sweetness with fruity chew and rich butteriness. Each component plays a role to keep the texture just right and colors vibrant—plus, the ease of microwaving saves a lot of fuss. Here’s what you’ll need and why:
- Dots Candy: These are the star—the soft, chewy gumdrops bring classic Christmas colors and a fruity zing that wakes up the nougat.
- Mini Marshmallows: These melt down smoothly for a soft, sticky nougat base that's light but sturdy.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and a smooth texture to blend everything together perfectly.
- White Chocolate Chips: Melt into creamy sweetness that makes the nougat irresistibly smooth and tender.
Make It Your Way
This Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe is so flexible—I like to play around with different gumdrop flavors or colors depending on the season. Don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own!
- Nuts or Seeds Variation: I’ve added chopped pistachios or almonds for a little crunch, and it gives a lovely textural contrast to the chewy drops.
- Seasonal Colors: For other holidays, I swap in jelly beans or colored gummy bears for a fun twist.
- Chocolate Swap: Dark or milk chocolate chips can be a delicious alternative for a richer flavor, though white chocolate keeps it classic.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan Like a Pro
I start by lining an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper—don’t skip this step because it makes pulling the nougat out a breeze. Give it a nice, even layer so you can work quickly once your mixture is ready.
Step 2: Melt the White Chocolate Gently
Microwave your white chocolate chips in 30-second bursts, stirring each time, to prevent burning. Smooth, glossy chocolate is what you want here—a dull or pasty texture means it overheated.
Step 3: Marshmallows + Butter, Microwaved Magic
In a medium bowl, toss your mini marshmallows with unsalted butter. Microwave until the marshmallows puff up and melt, about 2 minutes, then stir swiftly to combine into a luscious, buttery sauce.
Step 4: Marry the Chocolate & Marshmallow Mixture
Quickly—while everything is still warm—add the melted white chocolate to the marshmallow mixture and stir to combine. You want a smooth, evenly blended nougat base ready to hold all those colorful gumdrops.
Step 5: Fold in the Gumdrops & Set
Stir in almost all the Dots candy, reserving a handful for topping. Pour the sticky mixture into your prepared pan, spray your hands lightly with cooking spray, and spread it out evenly. Press the remaining gumdrops on top to create a festive mosaic.
Step 6: Chill & Slice
Let your nougat sit at room temperature for a short while, then chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or until firm. When set, lift it out by the parchment and slice into colorful candy squares perfect for sharing.
Top Tip
From my many attempts perfecting this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks to get it just right every time. These tips saved me from sticky messes and ensured a smooth, flavorful candy:
- Use Cooking Spray on Your Hands: This simple step helps spread the sticky nougat easily without it clinging to your fingers.
- Stir Chocolate Frequently: When melting white chocolate, stirring every 30 seconds prevents it from burning and keeps that creamy texture.
- Work Quickly: The marshmallow-chocolate blend sets fast, so have your pan ready before mixing in the gumdrops.
- Press Gumdrops Firmly: Don’t be shy when pressing candy on top; it keeps them in place and makes the candy look festive and neat.
How to Serve Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple—sometimes a light dusting of powdered sugar for extra wintry sparkle or a few crushed peppermint candies around the edges adds a minty twist that pairs wonderfully with the creamy nougat.
Side Dishes
This candy is perfect alongside a warm cup of spiced hot cocoa or mulled wine. For holiday parties, I like to set it out with a platter of nuts, dried fruits, and cheese for a delightful holiday charcuterie-style spread.
Creative Ways to Present
One of my favorite presentations is slicing the nougat into bite-sized cubes, wrapping them individually in festive cellophane bags, and tying with a ribbon. It makes a thoughtful homemade gift that’s charming and delicious! For gatherings, arrange the pieces on a pretty holiday platter for colorful appeal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your nougat candy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. I keep mine in a cool, dry place to preserve the chewiness and prevent the white chocolate from blooming or getting grainy.
Freezing
While I haven’t needed to freeze much since it disappears fast, you can freeze pieces wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in a freezer-safe bag for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture.
Reheating
This candy is best enjoyed at room temperature—if yours hardens a bit in the fridge, just let it sit out for 15 minutes before serving to soften and release all those flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While Dots gumdrops are traditional and colorful, you can use any soft gumdrops or even small gummy candies. Just make sure they're soft chew types so they blend well in the nougat.
Microwaving in short bursts, about 1 minute at a time, and stirring in between helps. Also, keep an eye on them—in your microwave the timing might vary slightly. The marshmallows should puff up and melt but not brown.
Yes! This candy actually tastes better the next day once it’s fully set and the flavors meld. Just store it in an airtight container at room temperature and slice when ready to serve.
Definitely. All the ingredients—gumdrops, marshmallows, butter, and white chocolate chips—are naturally gluten-free, but always check your labels just to be safe, especially with candies.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe really feels like a warm holiday hug. I love how quick it is to make but how festive and intricate it looks. It’s a perfect little project to share with family, bring to parties, or gift as homemade joy. Give it a try—you’ll find yourself coming back to it year after year, just like me!
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Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Microwaving is used for melting ingredients, but the primary method is Stovetop since it requires combining and handling the melted components without baking or other appliance. However, as microwaving is a form of heating and no stovetop is mentioned, the primary method is best classified as "Stovetop" by closest standard since no other option fits better.
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy is a delightful sweet treat combining creamy white chocolate, fluffy marshmallows, and colorful Dots candy for a chewy, vibrant candy perfect for holiday gifting or parties.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 10 ounces Dots Candy
- 1 10-ounce bag mini marshmallows
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 ¾ cups white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper and set it aside to prepare for the candy mixture.
- Melt White Chocolate: Place the white chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 2 minutes and 30 seconds, stopping to stir every 30 seconds, until the chocolate is smooth and creamy. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Melt Marshmallows and Butter: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mini marshmallows and unsalted butter. Microwave on high for 2 minutes or until the marshmallows rise to the top and become puffed. Remove and stir until the butter is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Quickly add the melted white chocolate to the marshmallow mixture and stir rapidly to combine evenly.
- Add Candy: Stir in all but ⅓ cup of the Dots candy, mixing thoroughly to distribute the candy throughout the nougat base.
- Pour and Spread: Immediately pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Spray your hands with cooking spray and spread the candy evenly across the pan surface.
- Top with Remaining Candy: Press the reserved ⅓ cup of Dots candy onto the top of the nougat to add vibrant color and fill any gaps.
- Set and Cool: Allow the nougat to cool completely and set, approximately 4 hours, before cutting into 12 servings.
Notes
- Use cooking spray or butter on your hands to prevent the sticky mixture from adhering while spreading.
- Microwave times may vary depending on wattage; adjust accordingly to avoid burning the chocolate or marshmallows.
- The nougat can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- For a festive touch, try using other colorful gummy candies or sprinkles on top.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
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