This colorful Gumdrop Nougat is a homemade version of the Brach’s candy that so many of us remember from our childhood. It’s soft, chewy, and full of colorful gumdrops, and looks so festive and fun on a holiday treat tray. It’s made with just a few ingredients, and is the nostalgic kind of candy that always reminds me of old fashioned Christmases!
This Gumdrop Nougat looks so festive on cookie trays, or wrapped up as gifts. and tastes just as delicious as the store bought version you remember, or maybe even better made fresh at home. The bright gumdrops in the middle of the white candy looks so beautiful and festive.
The candy only needs a few ingredients, and some arm muscle. It’s got the best creamy nougat base made with white chocolate and marshmallows, and I will warn you it is a bit tricky to stir it all together, but the results are worth it!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Easy Ingredients: You only need a few ingredients to make this homemade candy. No boiling sugar, or candy thermometer needed.
- Festive and Colorful: The pops of the colorful gumdrops make this candy perfect for Christmas platters, or homemade gifts.
- Tastes like the Original: The flavor and texture are spot on to the old fashioned favorite Brach’s candy!
- Make Ahead Friendly: The candy stays fresh in the fridge for a couple weeks, or even longer in the freezer.
Ingredients Needed
This is a quick overview of some of the ingredients you’ll need for this Gumdrop Nougat Recipe. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
- Butter: You can use salted or unsalted butter here
- White Chocolate Chips: Use a high quality white chocolate like Ghiradelli
- Mini Marshmallows: Makes the nougat chewy, you’ll need 2 bags.
- Gumdrops: You can use Dots candy (two boxes), or your favorite gum drops. Cut them in half to spread them more evenly in the nougat.
How to make Gumdrop Nougat
Step 1: Melt the White Chocolate. Add the white chocolate chips and butter to a large pot over low heat. Stir together until its totally melted. You need to keep the temperature low so you don’t burn the chocolate.
Step 2: Slowly add the Marshmallow. Slowly add the marshmallow into the white chocolate until it is totally melted into the mixture too. Continue adding the marshmallow until you have added it all. This will take a few minutes, and a lot of arm strength.
Step 3: Stir in the Gumdrops. Remove the nougat from the heat and add in the gum drops. The nougat will be hard to stir, but try and mix the gum drops evenly into the nougat.
Step 4: Press into the Pan. Scoop the nougat base into a lined baking pan. Press the top evenly with a rubber spatula (or your hands, but it will be warm!) until the nougat is spread evenly into the pan, and all the corners. Place it in the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours.
Tips and Tricks
- Cut Gumdrops in half. This is a recipe that requires some arm muscle, but its best to cut the gum drops in half so they spread more evenly throughout the nougat and the pieces aren’t too big.
- Other Candies: Instead of dots candies, try mini gum drops, Fruit Slice Candy, or even Gummy Bears. Just cut them into small pieces before using.
- Bring to Room Temperature. This is a hard one to slice, but after chilling let it sit at room temperature for about 20 to 30 minutes before slicing to make it easier.
- Thicker Pieces. If you want your candy a little thicker, press the candy into an 11×7 pan instead of a 13×9 pan.
Storage Instructions
This gumdrop nougat can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
This Gumdrop Nougat is a fun and delicious candy, that adds a touch of old fashioned charm to your holiday candy plates. It’s soft, chewy, and full of sweet flavor. It’s one of those candies you’ll want to make year after year.
More Holiday Candy Recipes
- Sugared Cranberries
- Martha Washington Candy
- Homemade Marshmallows
- Buttercream Candies
- Pecan Pie Balls
- Homemade Caramel Creams
If you try this Gumdrop Nougat Recipe, please leave a 🌟 rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Gumdrop Nougat Candy
Ingredients
- 12 oz Gumdrop Candy (like Dots)
- 22 oz White Chocolate Chips
- 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter
- 20 oz Mini Marshmallows
Instructions
- Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper. Set it aside.
- Cut the Gumdrop candies in half, and set them aside. 12 oz Gumdrop Candy
- Add the white chocolate chips and butter to a large heavy duty sauce pan over low heat. Stir constantly until the white chocolate is melted and the butter is melted in too. 22 oz White Chocolate Chips, 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter
- Add in 1 cup of the mini marshmallows at a time, stirring in until they are melted and mixed in completely. Add in more marshmallows until they have all been added in. This will take some time, and muscle to stir it all together. 20 oz Mini Marshmallows
- Remove from the heat and stir in the gumdrop candy. Fold them into the marshmallow nougat mixture until they are evenly mixed throughout. This will stiffen the nougat, so it will take some arm muscle.
- Scoop the mixture into the prepared pan, and press the nougat down evenly into the corners of the pan, until its evenly pressed all the way to the edges, and in the same thickness throughout.
- Place the pan in the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours, up to overnight.
- When ready to cut remove from the fridge and lift it out of the pan with the parchment paper. Let the nougat sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes. Slice into pieces and enjoy.
Notes
- Cut Gumdrops in half. This is a recipe that requires some arm muscle, but its best to cut the gum drops in half so they spread more evenly throughout the nougat and the pieces aren’t too big.
- Other Candies: Instead of dots candies, try mini gum drops, Fruit Slice Candy, or even Gummy Bears. Just cut them into small pieces before using.
- Bring to Room Temperature. This is a hard one to slice, but after chilling let it sit at room temperature for about 20 to 30 minutes before slicing to make it easier.
- Thicker Pieces. If you want your candy a little thicker, press the candy into an 11×7 pan instead of a 13×9 pan.
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