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This gumdrop nougat is the shortcut version of the old-fashioned candy, made with marshmallows and white chocolate instead of cooked sugar syrup. Dots give each square little pockets of chewy fruit candy and plenty of color. Everything comes together in the microwave in about 15 minutes, although you’ll need to give it several hours to set before slicing. I cut the pieces fairly small because this candy is definitely on the sweet side.
Why You’ll Love It
This no-bake gumdrop candy combines white chocolate, marshmallows and colorful Dots for a soft, chewy homemade candy that sets right on the counter.
Only 4 main ingredients: White chocolate, marshmallows, butter and Dots make up the candy, plus a little cooking spray for handling the sticky mixture.
No candy thermometer: Unlike traditional nougat, this shortcut version is made in the microwave without cooking sugar syrup to a precise temperature.
Soft and chewy: Melted marshmallows give the candy its soft texture while the Dots add chewier bites throughout.
Easy to customize for Christmas: I use all the colors, but you can pick out the red and green Dots if you want the candy to look more Christmasy.
Also try panettone, Rudolph the reindeer donuts, divinity candy, Martha Washington candy, broken glass jello and gingerbread men.
Gumdrop Nougat Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Dots candy: These add the colorful, chewy pieces throughout the nougat. Reserve some for pressing into the top before the candy sets. (Grab the 13½-ounce package)
Mini marshmallows: Melt with the butter to create the soft, chewy base.
White chocolate chips: Melt these separately before combining them with the marshmallow mixture.
Unsalted butter: Melts with the marshmallows and adds richness. Salted butter will also work if that’s what you have.
Cooking spray: Use a little on your hands so you can press the sticky mixture evenly into the pan.
How to Make Gumdrop Nougat Candy
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Melt the white chocolate: Microwave the white chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.
Melt the marshmallows: Microwave the butter and marshmallows until the marshmallows puff up, then stir until completely smooth.
Combine: Immediately stir the melted white chocolate into the marshmallow mixture. Work quickly because it will begin setting as it cools.
Add the Dots: Reserve ⅓ Cup of Dots for the top and stir the rest into the nougat mixture.
Press into the pan: Transfer the mixture to a parchment-lined 8-inch square pan. Lightly grease your hands with cooking spray and press it evenly into the pan.
Finish and set: Press the reserved Dots into the top. Cover and leave at room temperature for about 4 hours, or until completely set, then cut into small squares.
Substitutions and Variations
Change the chocolate: Milk or dark chocolate chips can replace the white chocolate, although they’ll completely change the color and give the candy a stronger chocolate flavor.
Use red and green Dots: Pick out those two colors for a more Christmasy version, or use all the colors like I do.
Cut the Dots smaller: Chop the candies into halves or smaller pieces if you want little bits of gumdrop in each bite rather than larger chewy pieces.
No microwave: Melt the chocolate and marshmallow mixture separately using a double boiler.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with other sweet treats: Enjoy nougat gumdrops with some Santa cupcakes or cranberry cookies.
As a cupcake decoration: Chop your Christmas gumdrop nougat finely and press the pieces into white chocolate cupcake frosting. Or add some to a gingerbread trifle!
Enjoy with a holiday beverage: Gumdrop nougat is delicious paired with Santa hat coconut rum cocktails.
How to Store
Store: Keep gumdrop nougat in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate it for up to 1 week. Place parchment paper between layers to keep the pieces from sticking together.
Top Tips
Work quickly: Once I combine the melted white chocolate and marshmallows, I don’t waste much time getting the Dots mixed in and the nougat pressed into the pan. It starts firming up as it cools.
Keep the chocolate smooth: If your melted white chocolate thickens while the marshmallows are melting, give it another short burst in the microwave and stir before combining everything.
Grease your hands: This mixture is sticky. A light coating of cooking spray makes it much easier to press evenly into the pan.
Save some Dots for the top: Stir most into the candy but keep about ⅓ Cup aside. Pressing those into the top gives you a better distribution of color.
Cut small squares: This candy is quite sweet, so I usually cut it into pieces about 1 inch across.
Gumdrop Nougat Recipe FAQs
If the nougat is still tacky after about 4 hours, move it to the refrigerator for an hour or leave it there overnight. Make sure it has completely set before cutting it into squares.
Yes, but choose firm, chewy gumdrops rather than very soft gummy candy. You can leave small gumdrops whole or chop larger ones into pieces so they’re distributed evenly throughout the nougat.
Gumdrop Nougat Candy Recipe
Gumdrop Nougat
Equipment
- Glass Baking Dish 8-Inch Square
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 10 Ounces mini marshmallows
- 10 Ounces Dots candy
- 1¾ Cups white chocolate chips
- Cooking spray, as needed
Instructions
- Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- Microwave the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each, until completely melted and smooth.
- Set the bowl aside when the chocolate is creamy and smooth.
- Add the butter and marshmallows to a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until the marshmallows are puffed and soft, checking and stirring frequently.
- Take the bowl out of the microwave and stir until the marshmallows are smooth and the butter has completely melted.
- Immediately add the melted chocolate to the marshmallow mixture and stir quickly until evenly combined.
- Reserve ⅓ cup of Dots and add the rest of them to the bowl and stir to distribute evenly throughout.
- Pour this mixture into your prepared pan immediately.
- Lightly grease your hands with cooking spray, then press the mixture evenly into the pan.
- Press the rest of the Dots into the top of the nougat so the whole thing is colorful with no big gaps.
- Cover the baking dish and let the nougat sit on the counter for about 4 hours or until completely set. If it’s still too tacky, you can pop it in the fridge for an hour.
- Cut into small squares once set (you can pick the size) and serve.
Notes
Keep the chocolate smooth: If your melted white chocolate thickens while the marshmallows are melting, give it another short burst in the microwave and stir before combining everything.
Grease your hands: This mixture is sticky. A light coating of cooking spray makes it much easier to press evenly into the pan.
Save some Dots for the top: Stir most into the candy but keep about ⅓ Cup aside. Pressing those into the top gives you a better distribution of color.
Cut small squares: This candy is quite sweet, so I usually cut it into pieces about 1 inch across.
Nutrition
Gumdrop nougat is one of those candies that looks like you did more work than you actually did. The white chocolate and marshmallow mixture comes together quickly, and the colorful Dots do most of the decorating for you. I cut mine into fairly small squares since they’re sweet and chewy, and the smaller pieces are just the right size for adding to a Christmas candy tray.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Can jelly beans be substituted for fruity dots?
Hi Rhonda, jelly beans aren’t the best substitute for Dots or gumdrops here because the coating and texture are different. They can be harder and may not give the same chewy bite in the nougat. If you can’t find Dots, I’d use small gumdrops or you can chop larger gumdrops into pieces.
Made these for Christmas and absolutely love them so made them again today!
Yes, this candy is too good to only make at Christmas!
Dont you mean to microwave it for another 30 seconds if needed. And NOT 30 minutes?
Oh yes! Fixed that!
Such a fun treat to make! The colorful gumdrops add a chewy, sweet surprise.
Have not had this since I was a kid. Just as good as I remember!