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 combination of chewy marshmallows, creamy white chocolate, and those colorful, fruity dots all mingled together to create a festive treat. This Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe captures that magic perfectly and makes holiday gifting or party nibbling downright special.

A pile of white fudge squares stacked on a white plate sits on a white marbled surface. Each fudge square has colorful jelly candies embedded inside, with bright green, red, orange, and yellow rounded pieces visible on the surfaces and edges. Around the plate, there are scattered colorful jelly candies matching those inside the fudge. In the background, there is a blurred yellow box with blue and white letters partially visible. The 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 have to admit, I wasn’t always a nougat fan until I tried this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe. The texture is perfectly chewy but not sticky, and those little pops of gumdrop flavor? Pure joy. It’s also incredibly simple, which means even if you’re swamped, you can still pull off a candy that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Bright, Festive Flavors: The gumdrops add a pop of color and fruity sweetness that really brighten up the classic nougat base.
Easy, No-Fuss Process: You don’t need a candy thermometer or special skills—just microwave and stir!
Perfect For Gifting: Makes a wonderful homemade gift that’s colorful and tasty without a huge time commitment.
Fun to Customize: You can swap in different candies or add nuts for your own twist.

The image shows multiple square pieces of a white creamy dessert with colorful jelly chunks embedded inside. Each piece has a smooth, solid white base layer with bright spots of red, green, orange, and yellow jelly pieces scattered throughout in no specific order. The pieces are placed on a white marbled surface, and small round jelly candies in red, orange, and yellow colors are also spread around the main squares. The texture of the dessert looks soft and slightly shiny, with a clean, fresh look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe keeps things simple with ingredients that complement each other beautifully—sweet, creamy, and chewy all at once. Using quality white chocolate chips really makes the nougat velvety smooth, while the mini marshmallows give it lift and that signature chewiness.

Flat lay of a small pile of colorful gumdrop candies, a heap of soft white mini marshmallows, a few tablespoons of pale yellow unsalted butter on a white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy white chocolate chips, all arranged neatly and symmetrically, 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 classic gumdrops bring fruity bursts and colorful fun—if you can’t find Dots, other small gumdrop varieties work well too.
Mini Marshmallows: They melt down smoothly and give you the perfect chewy texture after cooling.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness without overpowering the sweet flavors; salted butter can make it too salty.
White Chocolate Chips: Use good quality chips for that creamy texture that blends perfectly with marshmallows.

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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

I love mixing in different candies besides the classic Dots sometimes, just to play with flavors and textures. You should feel free to tailor this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe to whatever you and your crew enjoy most—this is such a fun canvas for creativity!

Variation: I’ve swapped the Dots for mini gummy bears once, which gave it a tangy twist I didn’t expect but totally loved.
Dietary Modification: You can try dairy-free butter and chocolate chips to make it vegan-friendly—just make sure your marshmallows align with your diet.
Add-ins: A sprinkle of toasted nuts or coconut flakes adds extra texture and flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Melt the Chocolate

I always start by lining an 8×8 pan with parchment paper—makes cleanup a breeze and helps you lift the nougat out easily. Then, pop about 1¾ cups of white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between so the chocolate melts evenly and doesn’t scorch. You’re aiming for smooth and creamy; once it’s perfect, set it aside so it cools just a bit.

Step 2: Melt Marshmallows with Butter

In a medium bowl, microwave the mini marshmallows and butter together for about 2 minutes. You’ll see the marshmallows puff up—that’s your cue to whisk it well until everything is smoothly combined with no lumps. Work quickly here because you want to mix in the melted chocolate while everything’s still warm and easy to stir.

Step 3: Stir In Chocolate and Dots Candy

Add the melted chocolate to your warm marshmallow mixture and stir until it’s all blended into a glossy, rich nougat base. Then toss in most of your Dots candy (save about ⅓ cup) and fold them through evenly. This is where the colorful gumdrops really start to shine visually and flavor-wise.

Step 4: Press and Chill

Transfer the mixture into your prepared pan. Spray your hands lightly with cooking spray—that little trick stops the sticky nougat from clinging while you spread it evenly. Press the remaining Dots on top to fill in any gaps and add extra color and texture. Pop it into the fridge to set for about 4 hours, or until firm enough to cut into squares.

Top Tip

My number one tip for this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe is to work fast once the marshmallows and chocolate are combined because the mixture firms up quickly! Having everything ready—including your pan and candy—before starting really helps streamline this step.

Use Cooking Spray on Hands: It’s a simple trick to keep sticky nougat from gluing to your fingers while spreading it out.
Stir the Chocolate Often: Melting white chocolate needs patience; stirring prevents burning and keeps it silky smooth.
Save Some Dots for the Top: Pressing candy pieces on top after spreading it out adds a beautiful, festive look.
Don’t Skip the Chill Time: Set it in the fridge for at least 4 hours to get a perfect chewy texture.

How to Serve Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe

Christmas gumdrop candy - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple—those bright gumdrop candies on top do all the heavy lifting visually. But for a little extra flair, I sometimes dust the finished squares lightly with powdered sugar or add a sprinkle of edible glitter during the holidays to catch the light beautifully.

Side Dishes

This nougat pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of spiced tea or mulled wine. I like serving it alongside my favorite Christmas cookies or a cheese board for a diverse dessert spread—adds a sweet and chewy contrast to crunchy textures.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving, I cut the nougat into neat squares and wrap each piece individually in colorful wax paper or cellophane tied with a festive ribbon. It looks so charming when displayed in a glass jar with a holiday tag. Perfect for passing around at parties or giving to neighbors!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover nougat in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays wonderfully fresh and chewy for about a week. Just keep it away from heat and humidity to prevent the chocolate from melting or the gumdrops from getting sticky.

Freezing

Freezing works well too! I wrap the nougat tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before popping it in the freezer. When you want to enjoy it, just thaw it in the fridge overnight to maintain that perfect chewy texture without condensation making it soggy.

Reheating

Since this is a no-bake candy, there’s no reheating needed, but if it ever feels too firm after chilling, letting it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving softens it up beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use marshmallow creme instead of mini marshmallows?

Yes! Marshmallow creme can work as a substitute, but the texture might be slightly different. You’ll want to melt it gently with the butter and then proceed, but be careful not to overheat to keep it smooth.

What’s the best way to cut the nougat without it sticking?

A sharp knife sprayed lightly with cooking spray works wonders. Also, waiting until the candy is fully set and chilled helps it slice cleanly without sticking or tearing.

Can I use dark or milk chocolate instead of white chocolate?

You can! Using dark or milk chocolate will change the flavor profile, giving it a richer or creamier tone. Just be sure to melt the chocolate gently to avoid burning, and know that the nougat will look less festive without the white base.

How long does this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy keep?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, it keeps well for up to a week. If you freeze it, it can last for a few months, but always thaw slowly in the fridge for best texture.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ll give this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe a try—it really is one of those festive treats that brings smiles everyone around. It’s quick, colorful, and irresistibly chewy, plus it’s a recipe I keep coming back to year after year. Making it feels like a little celebration in the kitchen, and sharing it feels even better. Enjoy the process and the sweet results!