Old-Fashioned Jelly Nougat Candy

5 minutes read

Old-Fashioned Jelly Nougat Candy is a soft, chewy homemade candy filled with colorful pieces of fruity gumdrops. White chocolate, marshmallows, and butter melt together into a creamy nougat-style base, giving you a sweet little candy that looks especially pretty once sliced.

This is the kind of no-bake treat that works beautifully for Christmas candy trays, homemade gift boxes, or whenever you want something nostalgic without working with boiling sugar or a candy thermometer.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You only need four ingredients, and the entire candy mixture can be prepared in the microwave. There’s no stovetop candy-making or temperature monitoring involved.

The texture is soft and chewy rather than hard, with little fruity gumdrop pieces scattered throughout. It’s especially nice when you want several different textures on a holiday candy platter.

It’s also ideal for preparing ahead. Once the nougat has chilled and been cut, the little squares can be stored until you’re ready to serve or package them.

The gumdrops are what make every square fun. Their bright colors show through the pale nougat base, while their chewy fruitiness gives you a nice contrast to the soft marshmallow mixture.

Give the candy its full chilling time before cutting. Once firm, you can lift the entire slab from the pan with the parchment and slice it into neat little bite-sized squares.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need four ingredients:

White chocolate chips
Mini marshmallows
Butter
Gumdrops

How To Make Old-Fashioned Jelly Nougat Candy

Step 1: Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang to lift the finished candy from the pan. Lightly grease the parchment and set the dish aside.
Step 2: Chop the gumdrops into small pieces. If they’re especially sticky, lightly greasing your knife can make cutting easier.
Step 3: Add the white chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and butter to a large microwave-safe bowl.
Step 4: Microwave for 1 minute, then carefully remove the bowl and stir thoroughly with a lightly greased spatula.
Step 5: Continue microwaving in 30-second increments, stirring thoroughly after each interval, until the white chocolate and marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
Step 6: Let the nougat mixture cool for about 1 minute. This keeps it warm enough to work with while preventing the gumdrops from immediately becoming overly soft.
Step 7: Fold in the chopped gumdrops until they’re evenly distributed throughout the nougat.
Step 8: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Using a greased spatula, gently press and smooth it into a flat, even layer.
Step 9: Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until the candy is completely firm.
Step 10: Use the parchment overhang to lift the nougat from the pan. Peel away the parchment and cut the candy into small bite-sized squares.

Old-Fashioned Jelly Nougat Candy Variations

Red And Green Christmas Nougat

Use only red and green gumdrops for an especially festive Christmas candy tray.

Extra-Gumdrop Nougat

Add a few additional chopped gumdrops if you want more fruity pieces throughout every square.

Vanilla Jelly Nougat

Add a small amount of vanilla extract to the melted nougat mixture for a warmer flavor.

Nutty Jelly Nougat

Fold finely chopped pecans or walnuts into the mixture along with the gumdrops for a little crunch.

Mini Jelly Nougat Bites

Cut the chilled candy into very small squares for bite-sized pieces that work especially well on dessert platters.

Storing Old-Fashioned Jelly Nougat Candy

Keep the finished candy in an airtight container with parchment or wax paper between the layers to prevent the pieces from sticking together.

FAQ

What Kind Of Gumdrops Should I Use?

Use colorful fruit-flavored gumdrops that are soft and chewy. Choose a mixture of colors so the cut candy has that classic stained-glass appearance.

Why Is My Nougat Mixture Sticky?

Marshmallow-based candy is naturally sticky while warm. Lightly greasing the spatula and parchment makes the mixture much easier to handle.

Why Do I Need To Let The Mixture Cool Before Adding The Gumdrops?

A short cooling period prevents the gumdrops from becoming excessively soft or melting into the hot nougat while still keeping the mixture workable.

Can I Melt Everything On The Stovetop?

Yes, but use very gentle heat and stir constantly. White chocolate can scorch or seize if it gets too hot.

Why Is My Candy Difficult To Cut?

It probably needs more chilling time. The nougat should be thoroughly cold and firm before you try to portion it.

Can I Make Jelly Nougat Ahead?

Absolutely. This is a great make-ahead candy and can be prepared well before a holiday or party.

Store it somewhere cool, or refrigerate it if your kitchen is warm. Let refrigerated pieces sit at room temperature briefly before serving if you prefer a softer, chewier texture.

What To Serve With Old-Fashioned Jelly Nougat Candy

Hot coffee: The slight bitterness of coffee balances the sweet white chocolate and marshmallow nougat.

Black tea: A simple cup of tea works nicely with the fruity gumdrops and creamy candy.

Hot chocolate: Serve small nougat squares alongside hot chocolate for an especially cozy holiday treat.

Shortbread cookies: Crisp, buttery shortbread provides a nice texture contrast to the soft, chewy nougat.

Chocolate candies: Dark or milk chocolate treats balance the sweeter white chocolate base and add variety to a candy tray.

Holiday cookie platter: Add the colorful nougat squares alongside cookies, fudge, and other bite-sized sweets for an easy festive assortment.

Don’t overheat the white chocolate mixture. Microwave only until everything can be stirred smooth, using short intervals toward the end.

And lightly grease anything that touches the warm nougat—the parchment, spatula, and even your knife if necessary. It makes working with this naturally sticky candy considerably easier.

This Old-Fashioned Jelly Nougat Candy is a sweet, chewy treat with a nostalgic texture and fruity flavor. Easy to make and perfect for holidays, gifting, or adding to a homemade candy platter.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Servings: 36 small pieces

Calories: 26 kcal

Ingredients

1 12-ounce bag white chocolate chips
1 10-ounce bag mini marshmallows
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup gumdrops, chopped

Instructions

Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
Add the white chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and butter to a large microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave for 1 minute, then stir with a greased spatula.
Continue microwaving in 30-second increments, stirring between each interval, until completely melted and smooth.
Let the mixture cool for 1 minute.
Fold in the chopped gumdrops.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and press it into a flat, even layer.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Lift the candy from the pan using the parchment paper.
Remove the parchment and cut into small bite-sized squares.
Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

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