Nothing says holiday cheer quite like a sweet treat that’s bursting with festive colors and fun textures. The Christmas Candy Nougat Bars Recipe is one of those magical creations that’s as joyful to make as it is to eat—soft nougat, gooey marshmallows, and those iconic gumdrop candies all come together for a treat that’ll light up any holiday gathering.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
When I first made this Christmas Candy Nougat Bars Recipe, I couldn’t believe how the simple ingredients turned into such a festive and irresistible dessert. It’s forgiving, fun, and delivers that classic holiday candy shop nostalgia in every bite.
- Quick Prep: It comes together in just about 15 minutes, perfect for busy holiday baking days.
- Vibrant and Colorful: Those gumdrop candies add a pop of color that makes these bars stand out on any dessert table.
- Soft & Chewy Texture: The combo of marshmallows and white chocolate makes the nougat perfectly tender and melt-in-your-mouth.
- Easy to Customize: You can easily swap candies or add nuts to make the bars your own special twist.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Christmas Candy Nougat Bars Recipe is all about simple ingredients that balance sweetness and texture beautifully. Each plays a crucial role — from the soft marshmallows that give chewiness, to the white chocolate that adds creaminess, and of course the colorful gumdrop candies that bring the festive flair.
- Dots Candy: These iconic gumdrops lend vibrant colors and a chewy texture that make the bars visually fun and delicious.
- Mini Marshmallows: They melt down into a sticky base that’s key for binding the nougat together.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and prevents the marshmallow base from being too sticky.
- White Chocolate Chips: Provides smooth sweetness and a creamy texture that I find melts hearts as much as mouths.
Make It Your Way
One thing I love about this Christmas Candy Nougat Bars Recipe is how customizable it is. You can switch out the Dots candies for other festive gummies, or even toss in chopped nuts if you want a bit of crunch. I’ve tried it several ways, and it’s always a hit.
- Variation: Try substituting peppermint candies or crushed candy canes for a minty twist that screams holiday spirit.
- Dietary tweak: For a gluten-free treat (if that's your thing), make sure your marshmallows and candies are certified gluten-free.
- Texture Add-In: Adding chopped toasted almonds or pecans gives a rich crunch that pairs beautifully with the soft nougat.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Candy Nougat Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Chocolate
I start by lining an 8×8 pan with parchment paper — this helps get those bars out easily once they’re set. Then I melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave. A key tip? Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring each time. It keeps the chocolate silky smooth without burning it, which can happen fast if you’re not careful.
Step 2: Melt Marshmallows and Butter
Next, I microwave the mini marshmallows with the unsalted butter until the marshmallows puff up — about 2 minutes. I give it a good stir to make sure the butter melts completely and blends with the marshmallows, forming that sticky, glossy base we want.
Step 3: Combine, Add Candy, and Press
Here’s where timing really matters: I quickly stir in the melted white chocolate, then fold in almost all of the Dots candies, saving a little to decorate the top. I pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth it out with hands lightly sprayed with cooking spray — this keeps it from sticking. Finally, press the remaining gummies on top to make it extra festive and colorful.
Top Tip
After making these bars a few times, I’ve learned a few tricks to get them just right—the texture, the look, and how easy they are to handle.
- Chocolate Melting Patience: Always stir every 30 seconds when melting chocolate to prevent seizing and burning.
- Marshmallow Timing: Don’t overheat the marshmallows; once they puff up, that’s your cue to stir and combine immediately.
- Use Cooking Spray: Spraying your hands before spreading the mixture prevents sticky mess and helps you get a smooth, even layer.
- Decorate While Warm: Pressing the remaining Dots candies on when the mixture is still warm helps them stick perfectly and look vibrant.
How to Serve Christmas Candy Nougat Bars Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep the garnishes simple and classic—those extra gumdrops pressed on top are perfect, but sometimes I sprinkle a little edible glitter or crushed candy canes for sparkle and extra peppermint flavor. It’s an easy way to make them feel even more special.
Side Dishes
These bars pair wonderfully with holiday drinks like hot chocolate or a rich coffee. I also like serving them alongside a cheese board—surprisingly, the sweet nougat contrasts nicely with salty cheeses.
Creative Ways to Present
You can cut them into bite-sized squares and place in a festive tin or wrap individually with colorful parchment for gifting. For parties, arrange on a holiday-themed platter with sprigs of evergreen or holly for that extra seasonal charm.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once the bars have set well (I usually let them chill for a few hours), I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep perfectly soft and chewy for up to a week—honestly, they rarely last that long at my house!
Freezing
I’ve frozen these bars a few times successfully. Just wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag. They thaw quickly at room temperature and taste just as good as fresh.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy these bars a bit warm, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave softens them without melting the candies too much. Just keep an eye so they don’t get gooey.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can swap out the Dots candy for other chewy or gummy candies such as mini jelly beans, crushed candy canes, or even chopped chocolate pieces. Just be mindful of melting or bleeding colors.
Heating marshmallows too long or at too high a temperature can cause them to become too stiff or burn. Heating just until they puff and then stirring helps achieve the perfect sticky, stretchy consistency for your nougat base.
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they typically stay fresh and chewy for about 5 to 7 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage.
To make a vegan or dairy-free version, use vegan marshmallows and dairy-free butter or coconut oil. Substitute the white chocolate chips with a vegan alternative. The texture will be similar, but be sure to check ingredient labels.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Candy Nougat Bars Recipe has become one of my go-to holiday treats—not just because it’s easy and delicious, but because it brings that touch of nostalgia and color to the season. I hope you enjoy making these as much as I do, and that they add a little extra sparkle and sweetness to your own celebrations. Give it a try, and I promise you’ll be hooked!
Print
Christmas Candy Nougat Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Microwaving
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy combines colorful Dots candy, gooey marshmallows, and creamy white chocolate for a sweet and chewy holiday treat that's easy to make and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Nougat Base
- 10 ounces Dots candy
- 1 (10-ounce) bag mini marshmallows
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 ¾ cups white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare Pan: Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside to ensure easy removal of the nougat.
- Melt White Chocolate: Place white chocolate chips in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes and 30 seconds, stopping every 30 seconds to stir until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Melt Marshmallows and Butter: In a medium mixing bowl, combine mini marshmallows and unsalted butter. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, or until marshmallows have puffed up.
- Combine Marshmallow Mixture: Remove from microwave and stir until butter is fully melted and marshmallows are smooth.
- Add White Chocolate: Quickly stir the melted white chocolate into the marshmallow mixture, blending thoroughly but swiftly to prevent it from hardening.
- Mix in Dots Candy: Add all but ⅓ cup of the Dots candy to the mixture and stir well to evenly distribute the candy throughout the nougat.
- Transfer to Pan: Immediately pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Use hands sprayed with cooking spray to spread evenly across the pan.
- Top with Remaining Candy: Press the remaining ⅓ cup of Dots candy onto the top of the nougat, filling in any gaps to add vibrant color and texture.
- Chill: Allow the nougat to set and harden in the pan for 4 hours and 25 minutes before cutting into 12 servings.
Notes
- Spray your hands with cooking spray before spreading the mixture to prevent sticking.
- You can substitute white chocolate chips with white candy melts if desired.
- For a firmer nougat, refrigerate instead of room temperature chilling.
- Feel free to use other colorful gummy candies if Dots are unavailable.
- Store the nougat in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approx)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 25 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
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