There's something about the colorful, cheery look of gumdrops nestled in a soft, snowy nougat that just screams holiday joy. This Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe brings that festive feeling right to your kitchen with a perfect balance of creamy white chocolate and sweet marshmallow delight.

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

Honestly, this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe is one of those sweet treats that make the holiday season feel extra special. I've made it for parties and gift baskets, and everyone always asks for the recipe. It’s colorful, festive, and surprisingly easy to whip up.

Quick and simple: You don’t have to be a candy expert to pull this off – it’s super approachable.
Festive and fun: The bright gumdrops add a playful pop of color that feels just right for Christmas.
Perfect texture: Soft nougat combined with chewy gumdrops makes every bite interesting.
Great for gifting: It looks impressive but doesn't require hours in the kitchen, perfect for holiday treats.

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

The magic of this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe lies in a handful of simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together smoothly. Each one plays a distinct role in creating that melt-in-your-mouth texture with bursts of fruity sweetness.

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 iconic gumdrops add chewiness and vibrant colors, making the nougat visually festive and fun to eat.
Mini Marshmallows: They’re the base of the nougat, giving it that soft, pillowy texture you want.
Unsalted Butter: Adds a bit of richness and helps melt the marshmallows evenly without overpowering flavors.
White Chocolate Chips: Brings sweetness and creaminess; melting them smooth into the marshmallow mixture is key to that luscious 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

I love how forgiving this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe is when it comes to mixing in extras. You can easily swap gumdrops for your favorite chewy candy or even add nuts for a bit of crunch if you’re into that. It’s really about tailoring the sweetness and texture to what excites you most.

Variation: One year, I added chopped pistachios and dried cranberries alongside the gumdrops, which gave it a lovely festive twist with a little salty crunch and tartness that balanced the sweetness beautifully.
Dietary Mod: If you want to make it vegan, choose dairy-free white chocolate and vegan marshmallows – it works wonderfully!

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

Step 1: Prep with Parchment

First things first, line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. This simple step saves you from sticky situations later and makes removing your nougat a breeze. Set it aside while you melt the chocolate and marshmallow mixture.

Step 2: Melt the White Chocolate Chips

Pop the white chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave them for about 2 minutes and 30 seconds on high, but don’t just set it and forget it—pause to stir every 30 seconds. This keeps the chocolate smooth and prevents scorching. When it looks glossy and silky, you’re good to go.

Step 3: Soften the Marshmallows

Next, toss the mini marshmallows and butter in a medium bowl and microwave on high for 2 minutes, or until you see the marshmallows puff up. Stir them well right after to get a completely smooth, buttery marshmallow mixture—this is crucial to get that perfect nougat texture.

Step 4: Combine & Add Gumdrops

Quickly mix the melted white chocolate into the marshmallow mix. Don’t dilly-dally here; speed is your friend. Then fold in all but ⅓ cup of your Dots candies so they’re nicely scattered. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan right away before it starts to firm up.

Step 5: Final Touches and Chill

Spray your hands with cooking spray to avoid stickiness and gently press the mixture evenly into the pan. Now press the remaining Dots on top, covering any bare spots for a festive look. Pop the pan in the fridge to set for at least 4 hours, or until firm.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe a handful of times now, and I’m convinced that the stirring and timing make all the difference between perfect nougat and a sticky mess. Here are my top tips from experience to help you nail it on your first try.

Even Stirring: Stir the white chocolate every 30 seconds while melting to avoid burning and achieve a smooth mix.
Use Cooking Spray on Hands: It’s a game changer when spreading sticky nougat—your hands won’t get gooey or pull the mixture apart.
Work Quickly: Once everything’s melted and combined, pour and spread the nougat fast before it starts to set.
Don’t Skip the Chill: Letting the nougat fully firm in the fridge is essential for clean slices and great texture.

How to Serve Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe

Christmas gumdrop candy - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and festive with more Dots candy pressed on top right before chilling—it just brightens up the look and invites people to grab a colorful piece. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of edible glitter or shredded coconut to mimic snow, which makes it extra holiday-perfect.

Side Dishes

This nougat is a sweet star on its own, but I like serving it alongside a warm cup of spiced hot cocoa or a cozy mulled wine. If it’s a dessert table, pair it with gingerbread cookies or peppermint bark for a merry mix of holiday flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving or a holiday party, I slice the nougat into small squares and wrap each piece in wax paper or festive cellophane bags tied with a ribbon. It makes a delightful homemade gift or a pretty addition to a dessert platter that guests can nibble on throughout the evening.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store my Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge if it’s warm in the house. It keeps well for about a week and stays soft and chewy—just make sure to keep it away from direct heat or sunlight.

Freezing

If you want to make it ahead of time, you can freeze nougat pieces wrapped tightly in parchment and foil. I’ve found that freezing for up to a month works fine; just thaw them at room temp before serving, and they’re just as delicious.

Reheating

Since this candy is best enjoyed cool, I don’t usually reheat it. If the nougat feels too firm after chilling or freezing, letting it sit at room temperature for a bit softens it nicely without losing any flavor or chew.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute other candies for the Dots gumdrops?

Yes! While Dots gumdrops are traditional and give the best chewy texture and bright colors, you can substitute with other small chewy candies like fruit chews or even chopped gummy bears if you like. Just keep in mind the texture and sweetness might vary slightly.

How long does this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy last?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge, the nougat stays fresh for about a week. Make sure to keep it cool and away from moisture to prevent it from becoming sticky or drying out.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free or vegan?

Absolutely! Use dairy-free white chocolate chips and vegan marshmallows to make this recipe vegan-friendly. The texture might be slightly different depending on the brand, but it still turns out deliciously sweet and chewy.

What's the best way to cut the nougat after chilling?

I recommend using a sharp knife sprayed lightly with cooking spray or wiping it with a warm, damp cloth between cuts. This prevents sticking and helps you get clean, beautiful squares without tearing the nougat.

Final Thoughts

Making this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe has become a little holiday tradition for me and my family. It fills the kitchen with sweet, festive smells and colors that instantly lift spirits. I can't wait for you to try it—seriously, it’s a fun, colorful candy that feels like a homemade holiday hug. Trust me, this one’s worth making and sharing with the people you love.