Gumdrop Nougat Candy
Nov 17, 2025
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My gumdrop nougat candy is a simple, delicious, colorful candy that is sure to bring a smile to your friends and family. Soft nougat candy filled with colorful gumdrops, this classic recipe has been a holiday favorite for generations. It’s perfect for gifting or adding to a cookie tray.
One of my favorite Christmas candy recipes to make each holiday is this gumdrop nougat candy. It’s soft, sweet, and filled with colorful gumdrops that make it look like stained glass.
This holiday candy takes me back to my Grandma’s house where she would often have a dish of these bright, chewy squares out when we visited during the holiday season. The fun, festive colors and sweet, nostalgic flavor just taste like Christmas.
When I make this recipe I usually double the ingredients so that I can give some away to friends. You can wrap it up in wax paper and put it in a tin or cellophane bag. This nostalgic recipe is a must make.
If you want more holiday treats be sure to try this gingerbread Chex mix, potato candy, and chocolate coconut cream balls.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Festive and fun color. The gumdrops add the perfect pop of color.
- Soft texture. The nougat is soft and chewy.
- No bake, no thermometer. You can make this no bake Christmas candy recipe without a candy thermometer.
- Old fashioned favorite. A classic candy that brings back holiday memories.
Ingredients
Making this gumdrop nougat candy requires just a few ingredients.
- Butter: Unsalted butter helps to melt the white chocolate smoothly and adds a rich flavor.
- White chocolate chips: I like to use high quality white chocolate chips like Nestle or Ghirardelli.
- Mini marshmallows: Use these to help the nougat become soft and chewy.
- Dots candy: Colorful gumdrops are the star of this candy.
- Vanilla extract: This adds additional warm, sweet flavor.
How to make gumdrop nougat candy
Make this easy nougat candy in just a few steps. Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe.
The main thing to remember when making the nougat is to warm it on medium low heat so that it doesn’t burn. It’s also very sticky, but don’t worry it will work out.
Make sure to line a 9 x 13 baking dish with parchment paper and spray it with non-stick cooking spray. Also, cut your candy in half before you start making the nougat.
There are 2 different melting methods you can use to melt the nougat ingredients, in the microwave or in a double boiler.
- Place the butter, chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows in a large, microwave safe bowl. Melt in 30 second intervals on medium power setting or the defrost setting. This will help you not burn the chocolate. Stir every 30 seconds until melted. (You can also melt the ingredients together over a double boiler.)
- Stir the vanilla and gumdrops in the nougat.
- Spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish. Use parchment paper to press it down into the dish.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Slice with a sharp knife into pieces.
Heather’s recipe tips
- Make sure to have all of your ingredients ready to go before you start making this candy. You will need to work fast.
- Line your baking dish well with parchment paper. This will help prevent sticking.
- I recommend spraying the parchment paper with a little non stick cooking spray. This will help prevent the nougat from sticking to the paper.
- The nougat mixture is really sticky so you will need to work fast when mixing in the gumdrops.
- Use a piece of parchment paper to help press the mixture into the baking dish.
- Give the gumdrop nougat enough time to chill and set before slicing.
- Use a sharp knife for slicing. It will be a little sticky when cutting the nougat so a sharp knife helps.
Variations
Gumdrop colors: You can use holiday colors like red and green for Christmas or pastel colors for Spring.
Add extra flavor: Try adding a little almond extract into the nougat for more flavor.
Mix in nuts: For a little crunch, stir in pecans or pistachios.
Storage instructions
Store: Keep this gumdrop nougat candy in an airtight container either at room temperature for 1 week or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Freeze: This candy can be frozen in a freezer safe bag for up to 2 months. Just let it thaw at room temperature before eating.
FAQ’s
The nougat is sticky when stirring. You could lightly spray the spatula or spoon with non stick cooking spray to help it not stick too much.
No thermometer needed for this recipe for nougat candy. Just make sure to melt the chocolate gently over medium low heat.
This can happen if you over mix the nougat or if you store it in a wam environment.
More holiday treats
- Christmas reindeer crack
- Churro snack mix
- Caramel apple pretzel bites
- Butter toffee pretzels
- S’mores bark
- Churro saltine toffee
Gumdrop Nougat Candy
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 ½ cups white chocolate chips (2 bags)
- 2 (10 ounce bags) mini marshmallows
- 2 cups Dots gumdrops (2 6.5 ounce boxes)
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
Microwave Method
- Line a 9 x 13 baking dish with parchment paper. Lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray. Cut the gumdrops in half.
- Place the butter, white chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows in a large, microwave safe bowl. Melt in 30 second intervals on medium power setting or the defrost setting. This will help you not burn the chocolate. Stir every 30 seconds until melted.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and the gumdrops. Stir until combined. (It will be very sticky.)
- Spread the nougat candy out in the prepared baking dish. Use a piece of parchment paper to help press the candy in the baking dish.
- Refrigerate for an hour. After an hour cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least another hour or overnight.
- Slice and serve.
Double Boiler Method
- Pour about 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Place a large glass bowl on top of the saucepan.
- Add the butter, white chocolate chips in the bowl. Once they start melting, add the mini marshmallows. Stir until everything melts together, this could take up to 10 minutes.
- Once melted, carefully remover the bowl from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and halved gumdrops.
- Spread the mixture out in the baking dish lined with parchment paper. Use a piece of parchment paper to help press the candy in the baking dish.
- Refrigerate for an hour the cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate another hour or overnight.
- Slice into pieces and serve.
Notes
- Make sure to have all of your ingredients ready to go before you start making this candy. You will need to work fast.
- Line your baking dish well with parchment paper. This will help prevent sticking.
- I recommend spraying the parchment paper with a little non stick cooking spray. This will help prevent the nougat from sticking to the paper.
- The nougat mixture is really sticky so you will need to work fast when mixing in the gumdrops.
- Use a piece of parchment paper to help press the mixture into the baking dish.
- Give the gumdrop nougat enough time to chill and set before slicing.
- Use a sharp knife for slicing. It will be a little sticky when cutting the nougat so a sharp knife helps.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
