There’s something utterly delightful about biting into a chewy, colorful treat that screams festive fun, and that’s exactly why I adore this Christmas Nougat Candy with Dots Recipe. It’s a joyful blend of gooey marshmallows, creamy white chocolate, and those whimsical Dots candy — a perfect holiday candy to make and share.

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 Nougat Candy with Dots Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Nougat Candy with Dots Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Nougat Candy with Dots Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I can’t recommend this Christmas Nougat Candy with Dots Recipe enough. It’s one of those homemade treats that captures the spirit of the season while being surprisingly easy to pull together. Plus, it’s bold, colorful, and just plain fun for everyone to nibble on during holiday parties or as a sweet gift.

Quick & Easy: You don’t have to be a candy pro to get impressive results — the recipe is straightforward and fast.
Unique Texture: The mix of chewy marshmallow nougat with juicy Dots candies creates a satisfying chew with every bite.
Visually Festive: The colorful Dots candy on top gives this candy that authentic holiday pop that kids and adults love.
Great for Gifting: It makes perfect homemade gifts when wrapped up nicely — your family and friends will be impressed!

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

When you glance over this Christmas Nougat Candy with Dots Recipe’s ingredients, you’ll see it leans on a handful of simple, classic sweets that blend beautifully. Each element plays a role in texture, flavor, and appearance, so don’t skip on quality here.

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 fruity jelly candies add bursts of color and chewy sweetness, plus they’re the star “dots” on top. Use fresh ones for the best look and taste.
Mini Marshmallows: They melt smoothly for a soft, fluffy nougat base that holds everything together.
Unsalted Butter: Gives richness and smooths out the marshmallow mix without adding saltiness that might overpower the candy’s balance.
White Chocolate Chips: Melted white chocolate adds creamy sweetness and a bit of luxury that elevates this from ordinary to extraordinary.

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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 best parts about this Christmas Nougat Candy with Dots Recipe is how adaptable it is. I’ve played around with switching out the candies or adding a sprinkle of nuts, and you can totally customize it to suit dietary needs or to add your own flair.

Variation: I once swapped out the Dots for colorful gummy bears, which turned out just as fun and a bit more tangy — a great way to mix things up for a kids' party!

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

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Melt The White Chocolate

First things first, line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. This makes it so much easier to lift out your nougat once it’s set. For the white chocolate chips, I microwave them in a small bowl for about 2 minutes and 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds to avoid overheating. The key here is patience — stirring often keeps the chocolate silky and smooth without seizing.

Step 2: Melt Marshmallows and Butter

Quickly add mini marshmallows and butter into a medium microwave-safe bowl. Pop it in the microwave for about 2 minutes or until the marshmallows puff up on top. Afterward, stir it until you get a glossy, smooth marshmallow mixture. This step is where things get sticky and magical.

Step 3: Mix In The Chocolate and Dots Candy

While the marshmallow mixture is still warm, fold in your melted white chocolate right away — don't wait too long, or it will thicken on you! Then stir in most of the Dots candy, reserving about a third of the candies for decorating on top. This helps distribute those bright pops of flavor and color throughout.

Step 4: Spread, Press, and Chill

Spray your hands with cooking spray so the sticky mix doesn’t cling, and press the nougat evenly into your prepared pan. Then sprinkle and press the remaining Dots candy on top, filling any gaps and making sure the surface looks beautiful and festive. Pop it in the fridge to set for about 4 hours or until firm.

Top Tip

I’ve found over several batches that timing and temperature are everything with this Christmas Nougat Candy with Dots Recipe. Waiting just a little too long to mix can make the mixture tough to spread, so here are my go-to tips to make it smooth and festive every time:

Cook in Short Bursts: When melting chocolate or marshmallows, pause frequently to stir. This prevents burning and ensures silky texture.
Work Quickly: Once marshmallows and chocolate are mixed, speed is key before the nougat starts to harden.
Use Cooking Spray on Hands: It’s a game changer for shaping sticky nougat without frustration.
Press Candies Gently: Too hard and you’ll flatten the nougat; too light and the candies won’t stick. A gentle, even press works best.

How to Serve Christmas Nougat Candy with Dots Recipe

Christmas Nougat Candy - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this nougat with a few extra Dots candies because it’s both pretty and tasty. Sometimes I add a pinch of edible glitter or a light dusting of powdered sugar for holiday sparkle, making the candy pop even more on a dessert tray.

Side Dishes

This candy pairs wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced cider or hot chocolate — it’s like a cozy winter hug in dessert form. For munching occasions, I often set it beside buttery shortbread cookies or ginger snaps to create a charming holiday spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For Christmas parties, I cut the nougat into bite-size squares and arrange them on festive platters lined with holly leaves or red tissue paper. Wrapping individual pieces in wax paper tied with twine also makes lovely little favors for guests to take home.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover nougat in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Keeping it out of the fridge prevents it from getting too hard or sticky, which means every bite stays perfectly chewy.

Freezing

Freezing works surprisingly well for this nougat too! I wrap pieces tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes to retain that amazing texture and flavor.

Reheating

If your nougat becomes a little too firm, I gently microwave portions for 5–10 seconds to soften before serving. Just be careful not to overdo it or you’ll end up with sticky goo instead of chewy candy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute white chocolate chips with another type of chocolate?

Yes! While white chocolate chips add sweetness and creaminess, you can try milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips for a richer flavor. Just keep in mind that darker chocolate will change the color and sweetness profile of the nougat.

How do I prevent the marshmallow mixture from becoming too sticky?

Microwaving in short bursts and stirring helps control stickiness. Also, spraying your hands with cooking spray when spreading the mixture is essential to avoid it sticking to your fingers. Working quickly to press the nougat into the pan prevents it from hardening unevenly.

Can I use a different type of candy instead of Dots?

Absolutely! While Dots give a classic look and fruity chew, you can swap in gummy bears, jelly beans, or even small fruit candies. Just make sure the candies can hold up in the nougat without melting or bleeding colors.

What’s the best way to serve this nougat at a party?

Cut the nougat into bite-sized squares and arrange them on a festive platter. Adding extra Dots or a sprinkle of edible glitter on top can really wow your guests. Pair it alongside warm drinks like cocoa or cider for the ultimate holiday treat experience.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Nougat Candy with Dots Recipe has quickly become my go-to festive treat to whip up when friends and family drop in. It’s colorful, fun, and always brings a smile. I really hope you give it a try this season — it’s as joyful to make as it is to eat. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to create sweet holiday memories.