If you’re searching for a festive treat that’s as eye-catching as it is delicious, the Easy Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe is your answer. This cheerful, no-bake confection is loaded with soft, pillowy nougat and bursts of colorful, fruity gumdrops—perfect for holiday gatherings, edible gifts, or just a cozy night in. The best part? You only need a handful of ingredients and a little patience as it sets, and you’ll have a nostalgic candy that’s sure to make everyone’s eyes light up with holiday joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about the Easy Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe is how it transforms a few pantry staples into the ultimate holiday treat. Each ingredient brings something special—creamy richness, sweetness, or that classic gumdrop sparkle—so don’t skip a thing!
- Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons): This starts the nougat off with rich flavor and a silky-smooth texture.
- White chocolate chips (2 cups): The base of the nougat; they melt into a luscious, sweet canvas that holds everything together.
- Mini marshmallows (1 16-ounce bag): These are what give the candy its signature fluffy, chewy bite—don’t be tempted to swap for full-size marshmallows, as minis melt more evenly.
- Red and green gumdrops (1 1/2 cups, quartered and dusted with flour): The stars of the show! The festive colors and fruity bursts make every bite merry and bright; dusting them with flour keeps them from sticking together in the nougat.
How to Make Easy Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan
Begin by lining an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, making sure there’s a generous overhang on the sides. This little trick is a lifesaver when it’s time to lift your finished nougat out of the pan—no sticky messes, just perfectly neat squares.
Step 2: Melt the Butter and Chocolate
Set a large saucepan over low heat and gently melt the butter. Add the white chocolate chips, stirring constantly. Patience is key here—keep the heat low and stir until everything’s silky smooth. You don’t want any scorching or seizing, just a glossy, even melt.
Step 3: Add the Marshmallows
Pour in all those mini marshmallows and keep stirring as they melt into the chocolate mixture. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture is glossy, thick, and there are no lumps of marshmallow left. This is what gives your candy that signature nougat texture!
Step 4: Cool Slightly and Fold in Gumdrops
Take the pan off the heat and give the nougat a minute or two to cool—this helps keep the gumdrops from melting. Gently fold in your flour-dusted, quartered gumdrops until they’re evenly distributed, ensuring every piece of candy will have a pop of color and flavor.
Step 5: Spread and Set
Pour the nougat mixture into your prepared pan and use a spatula to smooth it out into an even layer. Now comes the hardest part: waiting! Let the candy sit at room temperature for 6–8 hours until firm, or pop it in the fridge for 2–3 hours if you’re in a hurry. Once set, lift it out with the parchment and slice into squares—dust your knife with powdered sugar or oil it lightly to keep things neat.
How to Serve Easy Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra festive touch, dust your nougat squares with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar just before serving. You can also top each piece with a single gumdrop or a drizzle of melted white chocolate for a bakery-worthy finish.
Side Dishes
This sweet treat pairs beautifully with a hot mug of cocoa, spiced chai, or even a glass of cold milk. Serve it alongside a platter of classic Christmas cookies or roasted nuts for a full holiday dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Wrap individual squares in cellophane with a bright ribbon for an adorable homemade gift, or arrange them in festive tins and boxes for party favors. For a showstopping dessert table, stack the nougat pieces pyramid-style on a cake stand and sprinkle with edible glitter or stars.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Easy Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. It’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to a week, making it perfect for prepping ahead of your holiday celebrations or sneaking a sweet bite whenever the mood strikes.
Freezing
If you want to make this candy even further in advance, you can freeze it! Place the cut nougat squares in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container separated by parchment. Freeze for up to 2 months—just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat this candy, but if you find it a bit too firm after refrigeration or freezing, let it sit out at room temperature for 10–15 minutes. This will bring back that perfect soft, chewy texture everyone loves.
FAQs
Can I use different colored or flavored gumdrops?
Absolutely! While red and green gumdrops are classic for Christmas, you can use any color combination or even spice drops for a unique twist. Just be sure to dust them with flour to keep them from sticking together.
What’s the best way to cut the nougat without it sticking?
The trick is to use a sharp knife dusted with powdered sugar or lightly coated in oil. Wipe and dust the knife between cuts for the neatest squares—no more sticky mess!
Can I make this Easy Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Most marshmallows and white chocolate chips are naturally gluten-free, but double-check your gumdrops and flour for dusting to ensure they’re safe for gluten-sensitive friends.
How far in advance can I make this candy?
You can make it up to a week ahead if stored properly in an airtight container. For even longer storage, freeze the nougat and thaw it as needed during the holidays.
Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?
Certainly! Simply double all ingredients and use a 9×13-inch pan. The Easy Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe is always a hit at parties, so making extra is never a bad idea.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about sharing homemade treats, and this Easy Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe is guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone’s face. Whether you’re gifting it or keeping it for your own family festivities, I hope you’ll give this nostalgic, colorful candy a try this season—it just might become your new holiday tradition!
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Easy Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes plus 6–8 hours cooling time (or 2–3 hours refrigerated)
- Yield: 36 pieces 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe is a delightful no-bake holiday treat combining smooth white chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and colorful gumdrops for a festive, chewy candy perfect for sharing during the Christmas season.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 1 (16-ounce) bag mini marshmallows
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups red and green gumdrops, quartered and dusted lightly with flour to prevent sticking
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides for easy removal of the nougat candy.
- Melt butter and chocolate: In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter, then add the white chocolate chips. Stir constantly until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add marshmallows: Add the mini marshmallows to the chocolate mixture, stirring continuously until they are completely melted and incorporated into a glossy, uniform mixture.
- Cool slightly: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture cool for 1–2 minutes to prevent gumdrops from melting when added.
- Fold in gumdrops: Gently fold in the quartered, floured gumdrops until they are evenly distributed throughout the nougat mixture.
- Set in pan: Pour the nougat mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly using a spatula.
- Chill to set: Let the candy set at room temperature for 6–8 hours until firm or refrigerate for 2–3 hours for quicker setting.
- Slice and serve: Once set, use the parchment overhang to lift the nougat candy out of the pan. Slice into small squares to serve.
Notes
- Dust your knife with powdered sugar or lightly oil it before slicing to prevent sticking.
- Store the gumdrop nougat candy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Feel free to use spice drops or fruity gumdrops according to your taste preferences for different flavor twists.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Candy
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
