Name: Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 4 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 10 ounces Dots Candy; 1 10-ounce bag mini marshmallows; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 ¾ cups white chocolate chips

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.

A white plate holds a stack of square white fudge pieces filled with bright colorful gumdrops in red, green, yellow, and orange. The fudge looks smooth and creamy, with the gumdrops embedded inside showing glossy, translucent round shapes. Some gumdrops are scattered around the base of the plate. The background is a white marbled texture with a blurred yellow box containing colorful gumdrops visible behind the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe

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.

The image shows several small square pieces of white fudge scattered on a white marbled surface. Each piece has a smooth, creamy texture with embedded colorful jelly candy bits in red, green, orange, and yellow. The candies are unevenly distributed inside the fudge, creating bright spots of color within the white base. Around the fudge squares, there are a few loose jelly candies in similar bright colors, adding contrast to the scene. The overall look is clean and fresh, with the white fudge and marbled background highlighting the vivid candy pieces inside photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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:

Flat lay of a small pile of colorful gumdrop candies (Dots) with smooth, vibrant hues, a medium white ceramic bowl filled with soft mini marshmallows, a small white ceramic bowl containing creamy white chocolate chips, and a pat of fresh unsalted butter on a small simple white ceramic dish, all arranged in a perfectly symmetrical layout, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

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.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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

Christmas Gumdrop Nougat - Serving Suggestion

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:

Can I use other candies instead of Dots gumdrops?

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.

What’s the best way to prevent marshmallows from burning in the microwave?

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.

Can I make this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe ahead of time?

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.

Is it possible to make a gluten-free version?

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!