Soft, sweet, and colorful—there's just something so magical about these treats. The White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe brings together creamy white chocolate, fluffy marshmallows, and festive candies for a candy bar that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Trust me, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you want a sweet pick-me-up.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Every time I make these White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars, I catch myself sneaking one too many pieces before guests arrive. It's such a simple recipe but with layers of flavor and texture that keep everyone coming back for more.
- Effortless Preparation: You only need a few ingredients and minimal time clean-up, which makes it great for busy days.
- Festive and Fun: The bright red and green candies add a playful holiday vibe that's sure to impress.
- Perfect Texture: Creamy white chocolate mixed with chewy marshmallows is a winning combination every single time.
- Customizable: You can swap out the gumdrops for your favorite candies or nuts to suit your taste or occasion.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays a key role here, working together to create that dreamy texture and festive flavor. I always recommend picking good quality white chocolate chips—they melt smoothly and taste indulgent. The mini marshmallows bring that classic gooey bite you expect, and the colorful candies add just the right amount of chewy sweetness and a pop of color.
- Butter: Helps create a silky texture and keeps the candy bars from sticking to the pan.
- White chocolate chips: Choose a brand that melts well; high-quality chocolate makes a difference.
- Mini marshmallows: Their size lets them disperse evenly for consistent chewiness throughout.
- Red and green gumdrops or chewy candy, chopped: These add a festive color and fun texture contrast; you can also use other candies.
Make It Your Way
I love how adaptable this White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe is. Sometimes I swap the gumdrops for crushed peppermint or toasted nuts to mix things up. You can easily tailor it to your flavor preferences or the occasion.
- Variation: Once, I made a batch swapping the gumdrops for dried cranberries and chopped pistachios—it gave such a sophisticated twist and kept the holiday spirit alive.
Step-by-Step: How I Make White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients
I always start by lining an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper and lightly greasing it. This trick ensures your candy bars pop out easily without sticking or breaking apart. Having everything prepped upfront makes the process smoother.
Step 2: Melt the Magic
Grab a large microwave-safe bowl and add the butter, white chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows. Microwave for one minute, then stir with a greased spatula to prevent sticking. Keep microwaving in 30-second bursts, stirring after each, until the mixture is silky smooth. This gradual melting prevents burning—trust me, patience here pays off!
Step 3: Fold in the Fun
Let the melted mixture cool for about a minute before folding in your chopped red and green gumdrops. If you mix them in while it’s too hot, the candies might lose their shape and texture—so a little patience here keeps that chewy, colorful pop you want.
Step 4: Press and Chill
Transfer the candy mix to your prepared dish and use a spatula to press it flat and even. Cover with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or even overnight. This chilling step is crucial to set the bars properly, so don’t rush it!
Step 5: Slice and Serve
When it’s fully set, lift the candy out using the parchment paper. Peel off the paper, slice into bite-size pieces, and you’re ready to enjoy. Store leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Top Tip
From my experience, the key to perfect White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars lies in careful melting and timing. Here’s what I’ve learned to get those bars just right every time.
- Slow Melting: Patience is your friend—use short microwave bursts and stir in between to avoid burning the white chocolate.
- Grease Your Tools: Greasing your spatula and pan liner helps keep the mixture from sticking and makes clean-up so much easier.
- Cool Before Candy: Letting the melted chocolate mixture cool slightly before adding your gumdrops preserves their chewy texture and color.
- Don’t Skip Chilling: The fridge step is essential—without it, you’ll struggle to get neat, clean candy bar slices.
How to Serve White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe
Garnishes
When I serve these bars, I like to sprinkle a few extra tiny marshmallows or festive edible glitter on top for a little sparkle. It adds a fun finishing touch that makes these treats look as good as they taste.
Side Dishes
These candy bars pair wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or a cozy mug of spiced apple cider. If you're being extra festive, a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside is heavenly!
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I’ve arranged these candy bars on decorative platters with sprigs of fresh rosemary or holly for a beautiful centerpiece. Wrapping individual pieces in cellophane with colorful ribbons also makes for perfect homemade gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I like to keep leftovers in an airtight container stored in a cool, dry place or the fridge if your kitchen is warm. This keeps them fresh up to a week without losing that soft, chewy texture.
Freezing
Freezing these bars works surprisingly well! I wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Reheating
No reheat needed here, but if you want a slightly melty treat, pop your candy bar piece in the microwave for 5 to 7 seconds—just enough to warm it up without losing shape.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Melting white chocolate slowly in the microwave with frequent stirring helps prevent it from overheating and seizing. Using short 30-second bursts and stirring in between is the trick I swear by to keep it smooth and glossy.
Absolutely! You can use mini M&Ms, chopped dried fruit, or even nuts for different textures and flavors. Just choose candies that won’t melt completely when mixed into the warm chocolate.
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge, they will stay fresh for about a week. Beyond that, texture might start to change but they’ll still be tasty.
Yes! Use gluten-free candy options for the gumdrops, and vegans can substitute vegan white chocolate chips and vegan marshmallows—just keep in mind the texture and sweetness might vary slightly.
Final Thoughts
The White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe is one of those sweet little joys I always come back to, whether for holiday treats or spontaneous dessert cravings. It's simple, customizable, and just the right amount of indulgent—like a hug in candy form. Give it a try; I’m pretty sure it’ll become one of your favorites too!
Print
White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Christmas Candy recipe combines creamy white chocolate, gooey mini marshmallows, and cheerful red and green gumdrops to create a colorful and delicious holiday treat. Perfect for gifting or sharing at holiday parties, this no-bake candy is easy to prepare and delightful to eat.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 12 oz white chocolate chips
- 10 oz mini marshmallows
- 1 cup red and green gumdrops or chewy candy, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease it to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Melt Ingredients: In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, white chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir with a greased spatula. Continue microwaving in 30 second increments, stirring after each, until the mixture is fully melted and smooth.
- Cool Mixture: Allow the melted mixture to cool for about 1 minute to avoid melting the candies when added.
- Add Candies: Fold the chopped red and green gumdrops or chewy candies gently into the cooled mixture until evenly distributed.
- Set Candy Layer: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and press it down evenly using a spatula to form a flat layer.
- Chill: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or up to overnight to allow the candy to set firmly.
- Slice & Store: Lift the candy out of the baking dish using the parchment paper. Remove the parchment paper and slice the candy into small bite-sized pieces. Store in an airtight container for best freshness.
Notes
- Use a greased spatula or buttered spoon to prevent sticking while stirring the melted mixture.
- Ensure the mixture is not too hot before adding the gumdrops to prevent melting the candies.
- For a festive touch, use assorted colored gumdrops with different shapes.
- If you do not have an 8x8 baking dish, use a similar sized dish, adjusting thickness accordingly.
- Store the candy at room temperature if consumed within a day; otherwise, refrigerate for longer freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approximate)
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
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