There’s something truly magical about the blend of chewy marshmallow, creamy white chocolate, and colorful bursts of candy in this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe. It’s a festive treat that melts in your mouth and lights up holiday gatherings with every bite.

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 fell in love with this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe because it’s not only delightful to eat but surprisingly simple to whip up. It’s perfect for holiday parties, gift-giving, or just treating yourself to something sweet and nostalgic.

Festive and Colorful: The gumdrops add a playful pop of color that makes the candy irresistible on any dessert table.
Easy to Make: No fancy tools or techniques, just basic ingredients that come together quickly.
Chewy & Creamy Texture: The mix of marshmallows and white chocolate creates a satisfying nougat that’s soft yet holds its shape well.
Great for Gifting: It slices nicely into portions and wraps up beautifully for giving during the holidays.

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

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe, balancing sweetness, texture, and flavor. Here’s why these ingredients come together so well—and some tips on what to look for when you shop.

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 gumdrops give the candy its festive colors and fruity pops, adding fun flavors and a chewy bite.
Mini Marshmallows: The secret to the soft, fluffy nougat base that binds everything together.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness without overpowering sweetness, helping with the smooth texture.
White Chocolate Chips: Their sweetness and creamy melt add body and flavor to the nougat.

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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

While I love this classic setup, mixing in your favorite candies or tweaking the chocolate can make the Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe uniquely yours. I’ve experimented with some twists that turned out great and made the process even more fun.

Variation: Adding chopped nuts, like pistachios or pecans, gave a wonderful crunch that balanced the candy’s chewiness in one of my test batches.
Dietary Modification: For a dairy-free version, try using coconut oil instead of butter and a vegan white chocolate substitute—you’ll still get that creamy nougat feel.
Seasonal Change: Swapping Dots candy for other gummy candies like gummy bears or sour patch kids can change the flavor profile if you want something less traditional.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Workspace and Ingredients

I always start by lining an 8×8 pan with parchment paper—this is key so your nougat doesn’t stick and you can lift it out easily. Measure out your candies, marshmallows, and chocolate so everything’s ready to go. Trust me, this recipe moves fast once the marshmallows start melting!

Step 2: Melt the White Chocolate

Pop your white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat them on high for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. I stop every 30 seconds to give them a good stir—this prevents overheating and keeps the chocolate silky smooth. Set it aside once melted.

Step 3: Melt Marshmallows and Butter Together

In a medium bowl, combine the mini marshmallows with the butter, then microwave on high for about 2 minutes. You'll notice the marshmallows puff up dramatically—that’s your cue. Stir immediately until everything is melted and smooth; this sticky base is essential for the right nougat texture.

Step 4: Combine Chocolate and Marshmallow Mixture

Quickly add the melted white chocolate into the marshmallow mixture and stir vigorously but carefully. It sets fast, so you want to mix evenly without letting it harden. This combo creates that dreamy creamy nougat consistency.

Step 5: Stir in Most of the Dots Candy

Toss in all but about a third of the gumdrops. Stir gently to distribute the colorful bits evenly throughout without crushing them. This adds bursts of fruity flavor in every bite — one of my favorite parts!

Step 6: Press and Set

Pour the mixture into your lined pan. I spray my hands lightly with cooking spray to spread it out evenly — it sticks otherwise! Press firmly and then top with the rest of the Dots candy, embedding them evenly on the surface. Let it sit at room temperature for about 4 hours until firm.

Top Tip

Working quickly is crucial when making this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe. The marshmallow and chocolate mixture sets fast, so having everything prepped and ready helps. Also, mild cooking spray on your hands makes spreading much easier—trust me, you don't want sticky fingers slowing you down!

Prep Ahead: Measure and have your ingredients nearby before starting the melting process.
Stir Often: When melting chocolate, stirring every 30 seconds helps prevent burning and keeps the texture silky.
Use Cooking Spray: This little trick makes spreading the sticky nougat a breeze and keeps the candy looking neat.
Don’t Rush Setting: Give it the full 4 hours to firm up so your nougat slices cleanly and holds its shape.

How to Serve Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe

Christmas Gumdrop Nougat - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple with extra Dots candy pressed into the top for that cheerful look. Sometimes, I sprinkle crushed peppermint or edible glitter for an extra festive touch that dazzles in holiday photos.

Side Dishes

This nougat candy pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of cocoa or spiced tea—perfect for cozying up by the fireplace. You could also serve alongside other holiday cookies and treats for a well-rounded dessert platter.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifts or parties, I’ve wrapped individual nougat squares in festive parchment and tied with twine. You can also stack the candy in decorative tins or layer between wax paper in a glass jar for a rustic, charming presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature to preserve that chewy, soft texture. The nougat is best eaten within a week, but it often disappears long before then in my house!

Freezing

If you want to stash some for later, freezing works well. Wrap pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and place in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying to bring back the perfect chew.

Reheating

Since this candy holds shape well, reheating isn't usually necessary. But if you want to soften it, a few seconds in the microwave (wrapped in wax paper) can make it pliable again—just be careful not to melt it completely.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other candies instead of Dots in this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe?

Absolutely! While Dots candy gives this recipe its classic look and flavor, you can swap in other gummies like colorful fruit slices or even chopped jelly beans for a fun twist.

How long does Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy keep?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, this nougat candy stays fresh and chewy for up to one week. Avoid refrigerating as it can harden the texture.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute unsalted butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free white chocolate chips. The texture and flavor remain satisfying with these swaps.

What's the best way to cut Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy without it sticking?

Once the nougat has completely set (about 4 hours), use a sharp knife sprayed with cooking spray or lightly warmed by running under hot water. Clean the knife between cuts for the cleanest slices.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe has become a holiday tradition I look forward to every year. It’s one of those simple delights that brings people together, kids and adults alike, around a sweet and colorful treat. I hope you’ll enjoy making (and eating!) this as much as I do—sometimes, the best holiday memories are made with a batch of homemade nougat in hand.