🍬 Homemade Holiday Candy
Gumdrop Nougat & Potato Stick Haystacks!
📌 In This Article
🍬 The Candy Story
"Made some candy for the holidays. Nogat gumdrop candy. I used jellied fruit slices cut into pieces. I used 2 cups. They are kinda like gum drops. You could use dots, gumdrops whatever you like. I also made theses quick and easy yummy Potato stick peanut haystacks. Which I added honey dry roasted peanuts to also."
The holidays are all about sweet treats, and making homemade candy is one of my favorite traditions. This year, I made two incredible recipes that are sure to be a hit on any dessert table.
First up is a chewy, taffy-like Gumdrop Nougat. I used jellied fruit slices, but you can use any gumdrops or Dots you like! It's colorful, sweet, and almost too pretty to eat.
Second, I made Potato Stick Peanut Haystacks. They are quick, easy, and incredibly yummy. I added honey dry-roasted peanuts for an extra layer of crunchy, salty-sweet perfection.
💬 The verdict: "Quick and easy yummy." — Two classic candies that are perfect for the holidays.
🍬 Recipe 1: Gumdrop Nougat
Chewy, Colorful, and Delicious!
🌈"The taffy-like texture makes this fun candy a delight while the bright fruity gumdrops make it almost too pretty to eat."
📦 Ingredients
- 🧈 3 Tablespoons salted butter
- 🤍 2 bags white chocolate chips (11 ounces each)
- ☁️ 2 bags mini marshmallows (10 ounces each)
- 🍬 1½ cups gumdrops – cut in half (or jellied fruit slices)
🧰 Equipment
- 🍲 Double-boiler
- 🍰 11x7 baking pan
- 📜 Parchment paper
📝 Instructions
- Line an 11x7 pan with parchment paper.
- To a double-boiler, melt the salted butter & white chocolate chips over a medium-low simmer. Using a rubber spatula, stir continuously.
- Once the chocolate is just starting to melt, add ½ bag marshmallows and stir. Continue stirring over the simmering water. Each minute adds another ½ bag and stir – repeat.
- Continue stirring until all the marshmallows have melted and the nougat base has come together. This does take some muscle and about 7-10 minutes.
- Remove the nougat bowl or double-boiler pot from the stove. Carefully sprinkle in some of the gumdrops and fold them in. Work fast as the nougat will start to cool and set. This will stiffen the nougat. Add more gumdrops until all are added and fold them in.
- Once all the gumdrops are added to the nougat base, it is time to get it ready for chilling. Spoon the mixture into the parchment-lined 11x7 baking pan. Press it with the rubber spatula as you add it to the pan.
- At the end using another piece of parchment paper along with your hand, press down on the nougat to make it even and compressed. This will make sure there are no big bubbles and that when you cut the candy into cubes, they can be as uniform in shape as possible.
- Place the gumdrop nougat in the refrigerator for 2 hours minimum. It can be chilled for several days before cutting if you want to make it ahead of time.
- To cut, lift the parchment out of the baking dish and place it on a cutting board. Using a sharp chef’s knife, cut into 10 even strips along the short end of the nougat. Next, cut each strip into 8 even pieces. This recipe will yield 80 pieces.
- Storing: seal in an air-tight Ziploc bag or container. Place in the refrigerator and store for up to a month.
🥔 Recipe 2: Potato Stick Peanut Haystacks
Crunchy, Salty, Sweet Sensation!
🍫"Easy, no-bake haystacks are the crunchy, salty, sweet sensation you've been waiting for!"
📦 Ingredients
- 🍫 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- 🍮 11 ounces butterscotch chips
- 🍟 4 cups crispy chow mein noodles (or potato sticks)
- 🥜 1 cup roasted peanuts – (honey dry roasted recommended)
🧰 Equipment
- 🍪 2 cookie sheets
- 📜 Waxed paper
- 🥣 Microwave-safe bowl
📝 Instructions
- Line 2 cookie sheets with waxed paper.
- In a microwave-safe bowl combine the semisweet chocolate chips and the butterscotch chips.
- Cook in the microwave, on high, for 45 seconds. Take the bowl out of the microwave and vigorously stir the chips. If needed, microwave at additional 15-second intervals, stirring (yes, vigorously!) between each interval, until the chips are smooth and melted.
- Add chow mein noodles (or potato sticks) and peanuts and gently fold until they're evenly coated.
- Drop by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheet.
- Place in the fridge, 10-15 minutes, or until cookies are set.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I use a different type of fruit candy for the nougat?
Yes! You can use Dots, standard gumdrops, or any jellied fruit slices you prefer. The author used jellied fruit slices cut into pieces.
❓ Why is my nougat tough?
It might have been heated too high or stirred too long after the marshmallows melted. It should be chewy, but not hard.
❓ Can I use a different cereal for the haystacks?
Yes! The recipe calls for crispy chow mein noodles, but the user substituted potato sticks and added peanuts. Both are delicious!
❓ How long do these candies last?
The nougat can be stored in the fridge for up to a month. The haystacks can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week, or in the fridge for longer.
📄 Printable Recipe Card
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║ HOMEMADE HOLIDAY CANDY ║
║ Gumdrop Nougat & Potato Stick Haystacks! ║
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1. GUMDROP NOUGAT
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INGREDIENTS:
- 3 Tbsp salted butter
- 2 bags (11 oz each) white chocolate chips
- 2 bags (10 oz each) mini marshmallows
- 1 ½ cups gumdrops or jellied fruit slices
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Line 11x7 pan with parchment.
2. Melt butter & white chocolate in double-boiler.
3. Stir in marshmallows ½ bag at a time until melted.
4. Fold in gumdrops. Press into pan.
5. Chill 2 hours. Cut into 80 pieces.
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2. POTATO STICK HAYSTACKS
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INGREDIENTS:
- 12 oz semisweet chocolate chips
- 11 oz butterscotch chips
- 4 cups crispy chow mein noodles or potato sticks
- 1 cup roasted peanuts
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Line cookie sheets with wax paper.
2. Microwave chips in 45-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
3. Fold in noodles and peanuts.
4. Drop by tablespoons onto wax paper.
5. Chill 15 minutes until set.
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"Made some candy for the holidays." 🍬🥜
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© CanningRebels — Homemade Holiday Candy
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