Homemade Peppermint Nougat Candy, made with 6 ingredients & is a perfectly festive holiday treat! This soft chewy candy with peppermint pieces & gumdrops is great for Christmas dessert trays!
Peppermint Nougat Candy is my take on Brach’s Christmas Peppermint Nougats. Those chewy peppermint marshmallow candies with crunchy pieces of peppermint candies and gumdrops are so delicious and crowd-pleasing for party guests!
These homemade peppermint nougat candies also make for great homemade gifts! Simply wrap them up nicely and present them this year instead of something storebought. Who could resist a delicious treat, especially when you add a festive bow?
What are Peppermint Nougats?
Brach’s peppermint nougats are round little chewy candies with green Christmas trees in the center of a red-striped white disc of deliciousness. While our homemade nougats may not look the same, the taste is pretty close. Plus, we earn points for making them ourselves- which naturally makes everything taste better!
Homemade Peppermint Nougat Ingredients
-Butter: We need 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter to help pull this recipe together and add a delicious richness and shine.
-White Chocolate: I recommend using two bags of Ghirardelli’s white chocolate because it’s high quality and works great, but you can use white chocolate of your preference.
-Mini Marshmallows: We need 1 bag of mini marshmallows, and we’ll have to remember to add them in a little at a time to help them melt more efficiently.
-Peppermint extract: We need about 2 teaspoons of peppermint extract to get a good flavor, but if you’re like me you can add in a tiny bit extra for a stronger flavor.
-Andes Peppermint Crunch: Using 1 cup of this works great, but if you can’t find them then any crushed peppermints will work fine too.
-Gumdrops: We need 1 cup each of halved green and red gumdrops. You can buy regular gumdrops or use any gummy candy of choice. I used Dots.
How to Make Homemade Peppermint Nougats
Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper and then lightly spray it with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large pan, heat water over medium heat.
Place a heat-proof bowl over the top of the water and make sure that it’s large enough to fit snuggly together. (You’re making a double boiler!)
Simmer the water and then place the butter and white chocolate into the bowl.
Stir the chocolate as it melts, and add in a handful of marshmallows. Allow the marshmallows to melt and then gradually add in more marshmallows, letting them melt, and repeating until all of the marshmallows have melted.
Remove from heat and add in the peppermint extract. Allow the mixture to cool for 2 minutes. You must wait this long for the mixture to cool or else the peppermint candies will melt into the mixture, and we want the nice crunch.
Add the peppermint crunch candies and stir well. Mix in the gumdrops too.
Pour the mixture into the pan and then press it out evenly. If the mixture is too sticky, place a piece of wax paper over the top and press out the candy.
Allow the candy to set for several hours or overnight before cutting.
Spray a knife with non-stick spray, then cut into small cubes. Store in an airtight container with wax paper separating the layers. Enjoy!
Peppermint Nougat Candy
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 bags white chocolate Ghirardelli 11 oz bags
- 10 oz mini marshmallows
- 2 tsp peppermint extract
- 1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch (or 1 cup crushed peppermints)
- 2 cups red & green gumdrops halved
Instructions
- Prepare an 8 x 8 inch pan by lining with parchment paper and spraying with nonstick spray.
- Place a large pan of water over medium heat.
- Place a heat proof bowl over the water, make sure it is large enough to fit snugly together. Simmer the water and place the butter and white chocolate in the bowl.
- Stir the chocolate as it melts, then add a handful of marshmallows and allow to melt.
- Gradually add an additional handful of marshmallows and melt, repeat until all marshmallows have melted.
- Remove from heat and add the peppermint extract. Allow to cool for 2 minutes. You need to allow this cooling time so the peppermints don’t totally melt into the candy. The crunch is so nice in this candy.
- Add the Peppermint Crunch or crushed peppermints and stir in well. Mix in the gumdrops. Pour into the pan and press it out evenly. If the mixture is too sticky, use a piece of wax paper on top to press out the candy.
- Allow to set for several hours or overnight before cutting.
- Cut into small cube pieces. Store in an airtight container with wax paper separating the layers.
Nutrition
My marshmallows won’t melt, what should I do?
It’s important to keep stirring this and add a small amount of marshmallows at a time. This is not a recipe you can rush. They will melt and be very sticky and thick which is exactly what you want.
What is the texture of the candy?
This is like a soft nougat with fun texture added with the peppermint & gumdrops!
How should I store this candy?
Store in an airtight container with wax paper between the layers to prevent sticking.
More Christmas Desserts:
- Holiday Peppermint Ice Cream Cake Roll
- Peppermint Popcorn
- Pink Peppermint Patties
- Homemade Peppermint Patties
- Peppermint Fudge Thumbprint Cookies
- Peppermint Fudge Cookies
- Easy Peppermint Chex Mix
- Easy Mini Peppermint Pies
- Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
- Frosted Peppermint Candies
- Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cream Pie
- Chocolate Peppermint Bread
- Peppermint Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies
- Candy Cane Fudge
- Christmas Peppermint Patties
Homemade Peppermint Nougat Candy, made with 6 ingredients & is a perfectly festive holiday treat! This soft chewy candy with peppermint pieces & gumdrops is great for Christmas dessert trays!
Leave a Reply