The moment you bite into this soft, chewy, and colorful treat, you’ll understand why I’m so fond of this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe. It’s the perfect holiday candy that combines festive flavors and fun textures, making your kitchen smell like Christmas magic.

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've made this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe countless times for holiday parties and family gatherings, and it never disappoints. The gooey marshmallow nougat paired with the vibrant gumdrops brings a nostalgic charm that everyone can’t help but smile at.

Festive & Fun: The colorful gumdrops make this candy look as joyful as it tastes.
Simple Ingredients: It uses easy-to-find pantry staples, so no stress needed.
Quick to Prep: Though it needs some chilling, the hands-on work takes less than 15 minutes.
Perfect for Gifting: Wrap these up, and you’ve got an adorable homemade gift ready to go.

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 happens when simple sweets like marshmallows and candy dots come together with creamy white chocolate, creating a luscious nougat full of chewy and melty textures. Here’s why these ingredients always deliver:

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 add bursts of fruity flavor and cheerful color — plus a fun chewiness.
Mini Marshmallows: When melted, they create that soft, chewy base classic to nougat.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and smooths the texture for a creamy finish.
White Chocolate Chips: Brings sweetness and silky depth, binding everything together beautifully.

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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 customizing this recipe by swapping out different candy pieces or adding a little sea salt to contrast the sweetness. You can adjust the gumdrop assortment to suit your taste or holiday theme.

Variation: Once, I tried crushed peppermint candies instead of gumdrops and was amazed by the festive crunch — it’s a fresh twist I recommend.

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

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan

First things first, line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. This little prep step saves you from a sticky mess later and makes removing your nougat super easy once it’s set.

Step 2: Melt the White Chocolate

Place your white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second bursts, stirring each time. This prevents scorching and gives you that silky, creamy texture that's essential for the nougat’s richness.

Step 3: Soften the Marshmallows and Butter

Quickly microwave the marshmallows and butter in a medium bowl until the marshmallows puff up on top. Stir it well to melt everything smoothly — this will be the sticky, chewy base for your candy.

Step 4: Combine and Add Gumdrops

Mix the melted white chocolate into the marshmallow mixture right away to keep it smooth. Then fold in all but a third cup of your Dots candy so the flavors really spread through the nougat.

Step 5: Press and Chill

Pour this colorful mix into your lined pan. Spray your hands with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then spread and press it evenly. Top off by pressing the reserved gumdrops into the surface to create those iconic pops of color and flavor.

Step 6: Let It Set

Pop the pan into the fridge for at least 4 hours so the nougat can firm up nicely. Patience here really pays off for the perfect chewy texture.

Top Tip

With this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe, timing and temperature are your best friends. Here are a few tricks I've learned that save me from sticky disasters and uneven textures:

Chocolate Melting: Stir every 30 seconds during microwaving to avoid overheating—this keeps your white chocolate creamy and prevents it from seizing up.
Marshmallow Softening: Don’t overheat marshmallows; just wait until they puff and then stir immediately to melt fully without burning.
Mixing Fast: The marshmallow mixture sets quickly once combined with chocolate, so work swiftly to fold in your gumdrops for even distribution.
Hand Prep: Spraying your hands with cooking spray prevents sticky fingers and helps you spread the nougat evenly in the pan without frustration.

How to Serve Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe

Christmas Gumdrop Nougat - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For me, pressing extra gumdrops on top acts as the perfect festive garnishing — colorful and inviting. Sometimes I sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect when serving at parties.

Side Dishes

This nougat candy pairs wonderfully with a mug of hot cocoa or spiced apple cider — the perfect cozy duo for chilly nights.

Creative Ways to Present

During holidays, I like cutting the nougat into fun shapes with cookie cutters and wrapping them individually in wax paper tied with twine — instant decor and gift all in one!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, separated by parchment paper so they don’t stick together. This method keeps them fresh for up to a week.

Freezing

I've frozen this nougat successfully by wrapping pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. When thawed, the texture remains just as lovely.

Reheating

If you want a softer texture after refrigeration or freezing, a quick zap in the microwave for 5-10 seconds does the trick wonderfully — just don’t overdo it, or it’ll get too melty!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of candy instead of Dots gumdrops?

Yes! Feel free to swap Dots gumdrops for crushed peppermint candies, mini M&Ms, or other colorful, chew-friendly candies. Just keep in mind that candies with coatings may affect texture and melting slightly.

How long does this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy keep?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, the nougat stays fresh for about a week. For longer storage, freezing is your friend, and it keeps well up to 2 months frozen.

Can I make this candy ahead of time?

Absolutely! This candy actually benefits from some resting time in the fridge to set properly. You can make it a day or two ahead and store it chilled before serving or gifting.

Why does the nougat sometimes get too sticky?

Sticky nougat usually means the marshmallows were overheated or you didn’t refrigerate long enough. Be sure to melt gently and let the candy chill completely before cutting or storing. Also, spraying your hands with cooking spray helps avoid sticky fingers!

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe holds a special place in my holiday traditions — it’s not just candy, it’s a joyful way to bring family and friends together. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do — trust me, it’s a delightful treat worth every sticky, sweet moment in the kitchen.