If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and absolutely delicious treat to wow your friends and family this season, you’ve got to try my Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Bars Recipe. It’s a no-bake candy that’s bursting with chewy marshmallows, melty white chocolate, and those bright, fruity gumdrops that scream holiday cheer. I promise once you make these, they’ll quickly become a holiday tradition in your house!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No-Bake Simplicity: This recipe is easy, fast, and doesn’t require an oven—perfect for busy holiday prep.
- Festive Flavors: Red and green gumdrops add just the right pop of color and fruity sweetness that feels like Christmas on your tongue.
- Perfectly Chewy Texture: Marshmallows and white chocolate blend into a soft nougat that’s delightfully chewy without being sticky in the wrong way.
- Great for Gifting: Cut into cute bite-sized pieces, these bars make charming homemade gifts everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Bars Recipe really comes down to using simple ingredients that bring out the soft, sweet, and festive personality of this candy. These are pantry-friendly for most, but the key is to choose quality white chocolate and fresh mini marshmallows to get that perfect melty texture.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps everything melt smoothly without burning.
- White chocolate chips: Use standard baking chips, NOT “Chipits”—trust me, the texture difference is worth it.
- Mini marshmallows: The chewiness comes from these fluffy candies—fresh ones pack the best punch.
- Red and green gumdrops: These colorful candies not only provide holiday vibes but also introduce a fun fruity chew; halving them unlocks more surface area for flavor and texture.
Variations
I love to play around with this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Bars Recipe depending on what candies I have on hand or the flavor vibe I want for the day. Feel free to get creative — this recipe is super flexible!
- Gumdrop swap: Sometimes I swap traditional gumdrops for sour gummy bears or jelly beans for a tangier, more colorful twist—and it’s always a hit with kids.
- Nutty upgrade: Chopped toasted pecans or pistachios pressed into the top before refrigerating add a lovely crunch to balance the chewiness.
- Chocolate mix-in: Sprinkle mini dark chocolate chips in for extra richness—I did this last Christmas and wow, the combo was divine.
- Allergy-friendly version: If you need dairy-free, I’ve successfully used vegan butter and white chocolate alternatives, just make sure to melt gently to keep the texture just right.
How to Make Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Candy
First things first, line an 8×8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. This helps when it’s time to slice. While you prep, halve your red and green gumdrops—this step is key because it lets their fruity flavor spread throughout the nougat instead of clumping in big chunks. Set them aside; we’ll stir them in later.
Step 2: Melt Butter, Chocolate, and Marshmallows Gently
This is where the magic happens. Create a double boiler setup—place a heatproof bowl snugly over a saucepan of gently simmering water. Toss in the butter, white chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows. Stir continuously with a spatula until everything is smooth and melted. This slow, gentle melting prevents burning and preserves that beautiful creamy texture you’re aiming for. Remember: don’t let the mixture boil or cook, just melt!
Step 3: Mix in Gumdrops and Pour
After removing the bowl from the heat, let the mixture cool for about 2 minutes so it’s not scorching hot—this makes it easier to handle. Stir in your halved gumdrops, mixing well to evenly distribute those festive pops of color and flavor. Then, pour the sticky mixture into your prepared pan. Heads up: this stuff is super sticky, so I like to use a lightly greased piece of parchment or wax paper to gently press and spread the nougat evenly into the pan.
Step 4: Chill Before Cutting
Pop the pan in the fridge and let it set for at least two hours; overnight is even better if you can wait that long. When it’s firm, slice into about 60 bite-sized pieces. For storing, layer them with parchment paper in between so they don’t stick together, and you can enjoy these colorful nougat bars long after the holidays.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Bars Recipe
- Use Quality Chocolate: I learned the hard way that using anything other than classic white chocolate chips makes the texture gritty or too firm—stick to the good stuff.
- Keep the Heat Low: Melting marshmallows and chocolate slowly is crucial to avoid burnt flavors; patience really pays off here.
- Greased Spreading Aid: To avoid a sticky mess when spreading, lightly grease your paper or hands—it makes this super sticky mixture easy to work with, trust me.
- Chill Enough: Don’t rush cutting these bars—the longer chill ensures they slice cleanly and hold their shape.
How to Serve Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Bars Recipe
Garnishes
I often sprinkle a tiny pinch of edible glitter or dust the bars lightly with powdered sugar before serving to give them that extra festive sparkle. If you want to get fancy, a drizzle of melted dark chocolate looks and tastes amazing—and chocolate and white chocolate together are always a winner!
Side Dishes
These nougat bars shine as a sweet snack on their own, but during holiday gatherings I like to put them on a dessert platter alongside peppermint bark, gingerbread cookies, and spiced nuts. They make a perfect balance to stronger flavors like mulled wine or hot cocoa.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I’ve arranged my Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Bars Recipe pieces in little festive cupcake liners or wrapped them individually in clear cellophane tied with a red and green ribbon. They look so cute on holiday gift trays and are an easy hit with guests of all ages.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover gumdrop nougat bars in an airtight container layered with parchment paper between each layer to keep them from sticking. Keeping them in the fridge is best, especially in warmer homes, to preserve their chewy texture and keep the chocolate from melting.
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead for a big holiday stash, you can freeze them by wrapping individual bars in wax paper and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. When thawed, they still taste fresh and chewy, and I love having extra on hand for last-minute gifting or snack attacks.
Reheating
Since these are no-bake bars, reheating isn’t necessary, but if they get too firm straight from the fridge or freezer, letting them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes softens them nicely without losing that classic nougat chew.
FAQs
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Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of white chocolate chips for this recipe?
You can experiment with regular or dark chocolate chips, but keep in mind it will change the flavor and texture significantly. The white chocolate chips melt smoothly to create the signature creamy nougat base in this recipe, so substitutions may result in a firmer or less sweet candy.
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Where can I buy red and green gumdrops?
I usually find red and green gumdrops at larger grocery stores around the holidays, craft stores, or online candy retailers. Sometimes the bulk candy aisle will have festive colors right around Christmas time, too.
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Do I have to use a double boiler to melt the ingredients?
While you can carefully melt the mixture in a microwave or over direct low heat, I highly recommend a double boiler method. It prevents burning and makes stirring easier, which ensures the perfect smooth nougat consistency every time.
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How long do these nougat bars keep?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge with parchment between layers, these bars stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze them to extend their shelf life without loss of texture.
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Can I add nuts to the recipe?
Absolutely! Chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or pistachios make a delicious and crunchy addition. Just toss them in when you add the gumdrops and evenly mix them through before setting in the pan.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Bars Recipe turns out every time — it’s simple, cheerful, and so satisfying. When I first tried it, I was amazed at how such few ingredients could deliver such festive flavor and texture. My family goes crazy for these little bites, and they’ve become my go-to homemade gift for neighbors and friends. I encourage you to roll up your sleeves and give this recipe a whirl—it’s straightforward, forgiving, and guaranteed to bring sweet holiday smiles to everyone who tastes it.
Print
Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 60 bite-sized pieces
- Category: Candy
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy is a festive, no-bake treat combining creamy white chocolate, marshmallows, and colorful chopped gumdrops. Perfect for holiday gifting or sharing, this soft nougat is simple to prepare using a gentle melting process over a double boiler and sets into delightful bite-sized pieces.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 (225 gram) bags white chocolate chips (DO NOT USE Chipits)
- 2 (250 gram) bags mini marshmallows
- 1 1/2 cups chopped red and green gumdrops (cut in half)
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Line an 8×8 inch square baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy removal of the nougat once set.
- Cut Gumdrops: Chop the red and green gumdrops in half and set them aside for later mixing.
- Melt Ingredients: Using a double boiler setup—placing a heatproof bowl over a saucepan with gently simmering water—melt together the butter, white chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows over indirect medium heat. Stir continuously to achieve a smooth, evenly melted mixture without cooking or boiling.
- Remove from Heat and Cool: Once melted smoothly, remove the bowl from heat and let the mixture cool for approximately 2 minutes to slightly thicken but remain pourable.
- Mix in Gumdrops: Stir the chopped gumdrops into the melted mixture thoroughly to distribute evenly.
- Spread Mixture: Pour the sticky mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use a lightly greased piece of parchment or wax paper to help spread and gently pat the nougat down evenly into the pan.
- Refrigerate: Place the pan in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, until the nougat is fully set and firm.
- Cut into Pieces: Once set, slice the nougat into about 60 bite-sized pieces using a sharp knife.
- Store Properly: To prevent sticking, layer the pieces with parchment paper when storing. Keep refrigerated to maintain freshness.
- Enjoy: Serve and enjoy this festive, chewy Christmas gumdrop nougat candy as a delicious homemade holiday treat.
Notes
- This recipe is a no-bake, easy-to-make holiday treat perfect for sharing or gifting.
- Gumdrops can be found in most grocery stores during the holiday season or at specialty candy shops.
- Use parchment paper for lining and spreading to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Chilling overnight ensures the nougat sets properly and is easier to cut.
- Store candies in a cool place or refrigerator with parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 15g)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 7mg
