There’s something incredibly festive about the chewy, sweet magic of nougat mixed with colorful pops of candy. This Christmas Candy Nougat with Dots Chocolate Recipe is such a delightful treat — it’s simple to make, fun to share, and brings a cheerful burst of color to your holiday spread that everyone adores.

A white plate holds a stack of square white fudge pieces filled with bright colorful gumdrops in red, green, yellow, and orange. The fudge looks smooth and creamy, with the gumdrops embedded inside showing glossy, translucent round shapes. Some gumdrops are scattered around the base of the plate. The background is a white marbled texture with a blurred yellow box containing colorful gumdrops visible behind the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Candy Nougat with Dots Chocolate Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Candy Nougat with Dots Chocolate Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Candy Nougat with Dots Chocolate Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have to admit, the moment I made this Christmas Candy Nougat with Dots Chocolate Recipe, I was hooked. It’s one of those festive desserts that feels both nostalgic and fresh — like stepping into a cozy kitchen filled with holiday cheer. Plus, everyone loves the gooey, chewy texture punctuated with those adorable, colorful Dots candies.

Effortless Yet Impressive: This recipe comes together quickly with just a few ingredients but looks stunning on any holiday dessert tray.
Vibrant Color Pops: Dots candies add a playful burst of color that makes this nougat as festive as it is tasty.
Perfect Texture Balance: The chewiness of marshmallows and the smoothness of white chocolate create a luscious texture you'll want to savor.
Great for Gifting: Wrapped in parchment or festive cellophane, these nougat squares make excellent homemade gifts that friends and family will adore.

The image shows several small square pieces of white fudge scattered on a white marbled surface. Each piece has a smooth, creamy texture with embedded colorful jelly candy bits in red, green, orange, and yellow. The candies are unevenly distributed inside the fudge, creating bright spots of color within the white base. Around the fudge squares, there are a few loose jelly candies in similar bright colors, adding contrast to the scene. The overall look is clean and fresh, with the white fudge and marbled background highlighting the vivid candy pieces inside photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe blends a handful of simple ingredients that harmonize perfectly to create that signature nougat feel. Each element brings its own magic, so here’s a quick rundown to help you understand why they're essential and how to pick the best options.

Flat lay of a small pile of colorful gumdrop candies (Dots) with smooth, vibrant hues, a medium white ceramic bowl filled with soft mini marshmallows, a small white ceramic bowl containing creamy white chocolate chips, and a pat of fresh unsalted butter on a small simple white ceramic dish, all arranged in a perfectly symmetrical layout, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Dots Candy: These chewy gumdrops add bursts of sweetness and colorful charm; choose your favorite flavors or mix a few bags for a rainbow effect.
Mini Marshmallows: Key for that chewy, airy texture, mini marshmallows melt easily and blend smoothly with the other ingredients.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps the nougat come together smoothly without overpowering sweetness.
White Chocolate Chips: Melted white chocolate brings creamy goodness and helps set the nougat with a subtle vanilla flavor.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love about this Christmas Candy Nougat with Dots Chocolate Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to your taste. I've played around with different add-ins and variations, so don’t hesitate to bring your own twist to the table.

Variation: I once swapped out the white chocolate chips for milk chocolate to get a richer flavor that my chocolate-loving kids went wild for.
Dietary tweak: You could try using dairy-free butter and vegan marshmallows if you want to keep this treat vegan-friendly without losing the magic.
Add-ins: For a nutty crunch, sometimes I toss in chopped pistachios or almonds before setting the nougat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Candy Nougat with Dots Chocolate Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan with Love

Start by lining an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper — this little step makes all the difference when it’s time to lift your nougat out. I always use enough parchment to create “handles” on two sides; this makes removing the nougat easier and keeps the edges nice and clean.

Step 2: Melt the White Chocolate Gently

Pop your white chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for 2 minutes and 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds. This stirring is key—a little patience here prevents the chocolate from burning or seizing up. Your goal is silky smooth chocolate that will blend effortlessly into your nougat base.

Step 3: Soften Marshmallows and Butter

In a medium bowl, combine mini marshmallows and the butter, then nuke it on high for about 2 minutes or until the marshmallows puff up. Stir immediately until the mixture is completely smooth and the butter is fully melted. This is the gooey heart of your nougat!

Step 4: Mix Chocolate, Marshmallow, and Dots Candy

Act quickly now—stir the melted white chocolate into the marshmallow mixture while it’s still warm. Then fold in all but one-third of the Dots candies, gently distributing them so their bright colors peek through the nougat.

Step 5: Shape, Press, and Chill

Spray your hands lightly with cooking spray (this helps with the sticky-ness) and spread the nougat mixture evenly in the pan. Press the remaining Dots candies into the top — I like to really press them in so they don’t fall off when sliced. Cover and chill for a few hours until set.

Top Tip

Having made this Christmas Candy Nougat with Dots Chocolate Recipe multiple times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make sure your nougat comes out perfect every time.

Stir Frequently When Melting Chocolate: Chocolate burns quickly—keeping an eye and stirring every 30 seconds is the secret to silky smooth melting.
Use Cooking Spray on Your Hands: When spreading the nougat, lightly spraying your hands prevents sticking and lets you press and shape with ease.
Add Candies at the Right Time: Incorporate almost all the Dots candies into the mixture, reserving some to press on top for a colorful finish.
Chill for Several Hours: Don’t rush this step; allowing enough time for the nougat to set ensures clean cutting and the best texture.

How to Serve Christmas Candy Nougat with Dots Chocolate Recipe

Christmas Candy Nougat - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep garnishes simple since the Dots candy already adds plenty of visual flair. A light dusting of powdered sugar or some festive edible glitter on top adds a little holiday sparkle when I’m feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

This nougat goes wonderfully alongside a hot cup of cocoa or a spiced winter cider. For parties, I pair it with an assortment of nuts and dried fruits for a sweet-and-savory contrast that guests really appreciate.

Creative Ways to Present

I love slicing the nougat into colorful squares and arranging them on a festive platter lined with fresh pine branches or holly for an extra seasonal touch. Wrapping individual pieces in clear wax paper tied with twine makes them perfect party favors or homemade gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover nougat in an airtight container at room temperature, placing parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking. It keeps fresh and chewy for about a week, which is usually when it disappears!

Freezing

If you want to make a batch ahead of time, this nougat freezes well. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or place in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving to keep the texture just right.

Reheating

Since this is a no-bake candy, reheating isn’t really necessary. If the nougat feels a little firm after chilling or freezing, just let it sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes to soften before slicing and serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other gummy candies instead of Dots?

Absolutely! While Dots are traditional and add great color, other gummy candies like gumdrops or fruit slices can be substituted. Just make sure they won’t melt too much during mixing.

How long does this nougat keep fresh?

Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, this nougat stays fresh for about one week. For longer storage, freezing is the best option.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as the Dots candies and other ingredients you use are certified gluten-free. Always double-check packaging to be sure.

What’s the best way to cut the nougat without it sticking?

Use a sharp knife and lightly grease it with a touch of cooking spray or warm the knife slightly under hot water, drying it before slicing. This helps prevent sticking and gives you clean edges.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Candy Nougat with Dots Chocolate Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday go-tos because it combines ease, flavor, and festive charm in one sweet package. I truly hope you give it a try and enjoy every chewy, colorful bite as much as I do. Once you start, it just might become a new tradition in your holiday kitchen too!