Gumdrop Nougat Candy

Featured in Sweet Treats and Baked Favorites.

This effortless candy blends melted white chocolate, soft marshmallows, and colorful gumdrops. It's a holiday-ready, no-bake dessert for gifting or enjoying.
Aisha
Updated on Thu, 20 Mar 2025 01:14:18 GMT
A festive spread of colorful fudge squares with red and green candy bits surrounded by holiday decor. Pin it
A festive spread of colorful fudge squares with red and green candy bits surrounded by holiday decor. | cookingflavor.com

Festive Homemade Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy

I'm excited to tell you about my go-to holiday sweet that always brings back wonderful memories. This no-fuss gumdrop nougat captures the spirit of Christmas - a soft chewy base packed with bright red and green gumdrops throughout. You won't need to bake anything, and it looks incredibly festive while tasting fantastic. The best part? It's so straightforward that everyone in your family can jump in and help make it.

What Makes This Sweet Treat Special

You'll quickly fall in love with this handcrafted candy because:

  • The chewy nougat and fruit-flavored gumdrops create an irresistible combo
  • Those colorful gumdrops give it a professional appearance
  • It makes a perfect handcrafted gift everyone will appreciate
  • You don't need to bake anything, saving time during the busy holidays

Simple Components for Gumdrop Nougat

  • White Chocolate Chips: They add a creamy richness to our handmade nougat.
  • Unsalted Butter: Helps everything blend together nicely in this straightforward treat.
  • Red and Green Gumdrops: These festive candies are what make our handmade sweet so special.
  • Mini Marshmallows: They transform into the perfect chewy foundation for our nougat.

Quick Preparation Guide

Chill and Serve
Place your pan in the refrigerator and let everything set properly. A few hours works fine, but leaving it overnight makes slicing much easier.
Smooth It Out
Transfer this delightful mixture into your lined container. Here's a handy trick - use greased parchment paper to flatten it evenly without getting your fingers sticky.
Cut and Enjoy
After it's firm, use the parchment paper edges to pull it out. Slice into squares with a sharp knife and they're ready to be enjoyed!
Melt Everything Together
Begin by melting butter in a large pot over gentle heat. Toss in marshmallows and white chocolate chips, constantly stirring until you get a smooth mixture. Keep the temperature low to avoid burning anything.
Mix in the Gumdrops
Once your base is completely melted, gently fold in your chopped gumdrops. They'll look stunning scattered throughout the nougat. Stir well to distribute them evenly.

Tricks for Perfect Results

  • Sharp Knife Technique: Using a clean, sharp blade makes cutting your handmade treat super easy.
  • Complete Setting Time: Let it firm up entirely for the neatest slices.
  • Parchment Paper Hack: This basic technique makes pressing down the nougat much simpler.
A close-up view of colorful holiday fudge squares with red and green pieces, surrounded by festive red and green candies. Pin it
A close-up view of colorful holiday fudge squares with red and green pieces, surrounded by festive red and green candies. | cookingflavor.com

Keeping Your Treats Fresh

Store your handmade nougat in a sealed container and it'll remain tasty for about a week. Need to prepare ahead? Just put layers of parchment paper between pieces and pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Remember to let them sit out for an hour before you serve them.

A Delightful Holiday Confection

This handmade gumdrop nougat adds so much joy to any holiday dessert spread or gift package. Everyone smiles when they taste that wonderful mix of soft nougat and chewy gumdrops. Whether you're giving them as presents or enjoying them yourself, each colorful piece of this simple treat brings happiness to the season.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why use a double boiler?
It stops chocolate and marshmallows from burning, making them melt smoothly.
→ Why not use Chipits chips?
They don't melt well. Stick to good-quality white chocolate chips.
→ What stops it from sticking?
Lay parchment paper in storage or the pan before pressing the mix in.
→ Can I switch candy types?
Of course! Try swapping gumdrops with other similar candies or different colors.
→ How long will it last?
When stored airtight with parchment layers, it keeps well for a while.

Nougat Candy Gumdrops

A cheerful mix of marshmallows, white chocolate, and gumdrops in a no-bake candy. Great as gifts or for parties.

Prep Time
25 Minutes
Cook Time
120 Minutes
Total Time
145 Minutes
By: Aicha

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 60 Servings (60)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 500g soft mini marshmallows.
02 450g bag of white chocolate chips.
03 A cup and a half of chopped gumdrops.
04 2 tablespoons of butter.

Instructions

Step 01

Use parchment to cover the inside of an 8x8 baking pan, letting the edges hang over for easier removal later.

Step 02

Slice all gumdrops in half and keep them on the side for when they're needed.

Step 03

Put a heat-safe bowl on top of a pot with simmering water to make a double boiler.

Step 04

In the bowl, add butter, marshmallows, and chocolate chips.

Step 05

Keep stirring the ingredients until they're fully melted down into a smooth mixture.

Step 06

Carefully watch the heat to make sure you're only melting, not cooking the mix.

Step 07

Once smooth, take the bowl off the heat source.

Step 08

Let the melted mixture cool down for about 2 minutes before continuing.

Step 09

Gently mix the gumdrops into the cooled mixture until they’re spread out evenly.

Step 10

Pour everything into the prepared pan.

Step 11

With a piece of oiled parchment paper, press the mix evenly into the pan.

Step 12

Smooth out the top using the oiled parchment to keep it from sticking.

Step 13

Let everything chill for at least 2 hours in the fridge, or until it’s set.

Step 14

Slice the firm nougat into about 60 small snackable squares.

Step 15

Stack squares with parchment paper in between layers to store them neatly.

Notes

  1. No need to use an oven.
  2. Makes a thoughtful homemade gift.
  3. Choose higher-quality white chocolate for best flavor.
  4. Keeps fresh for a while.

Tools You'll Need

  • A square 8x8 baking pan.
  • Double boiler setup.
  • Non-stick parchment paper.
  • A sharp kitchen knife.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy like butter and chocolate.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 85
  • Total Fat: 3 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 15 g
  • Protein: 1 g