Easy Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy: Chewy Comfort!

I’ll never forget the first time I tried making Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy. My grandma used to whip up a batch every Christmas, and the chewy, colorful squares were pure magic to me. After she passed, I wanted to recreate that feeling for my own kids, so I bravely stepped into the kitchen. Let’s just say, my first attempt was… well, let’s call it a learning experience! It was either too hard or too sticky, but definitely not the soft, chewy vintage nougat recipe I remembered. But I didn’t give up! I tweaked the recipe, practiced my candy-making skills, and finally, I nailed it. The look on my kids’ faces when they tasted it? Priceless! That’s the moment I knew this Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy would become a cherished tradition in our home, too. And that’s why I’m so excited to share this with you – fellow busy moms seeking simple comfort food wins.

Trust me, this Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy ingredient list is simple because busy moms need comfort without complexity! You can find these simple ingredients at your regular grocery store. No worries if you don’t have vanilla extract – I sometimes use a splash of almond extract for an extra layer of comfort in my Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy, and my family loves it! Here’s a Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy comfort hack that changed our family’s dessert time: I let the kids pick out their favorite colors of gumdrops to chop up. Gets them involved and makes it even more special! This classic candy recipe proves delicious doesn’t mean expensive – and that’s a win in my book. My family gets extra comfort when I add a pinch of cinnamon to the sugar mixture – it gives it a warm, cozy vibe.

1. First, grease an 8×8 inch baking pan and dust it generously with powdered sugar. This prevents your chewy nougat confection from sticking and makes it easier to remove later. Trust me, you don’t want to skip this step!

2. In a saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Then, cook over medium heat, without stirring, until the mixture reaches 260°F (127°C) on a candy thermometer – the “hard-ball stage”. Be patient, mama! This is important for the texture of your Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy.

3. While the sugar mixture is cooking, beat the egg whites with salt in a clean, dry bowl until stiff peaks form. Make sure your bowl and beaters are grease-free, or the egg whites won’t whip up properly. This is a trick I learned from my grandma – it’s a vintage nougat recipe secret! In my busy kitchen, this comforting Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy usually takes about 20-25 minutes to cook, so keep a close eye on the thermometer.

4. Once the sugar mixture reaches 260°F, immediately remove it from the heat. Slowly pour the hot sugar mixture into the beaten egg whites, beating constantly with an electric mixer. Be careful! The mixture will be very hot. Here’s where I used to struggle with my Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy – learn from my experience! Pour the sugar in a thin stream to avoid cooking the egg whites.

5. Continue beating the mixture until it becomes thick and glossy. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Don’t worry if your Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy looks a little lumpy at first – it will smooth out as you beat it. Now is a perfect time to prep tomorrow’s lunch!

6. Stir in the vanilla extract and chopped gumdrops. Make sure the gumdrops are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Your Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy should smell amazing by now – that sweet vanilla and fruity gumdrop aroma is heavenly!

7. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Dust the top with more powdered sugar. While your Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy is setting, take a moment to appreciate creating comfort for your family! This fruity gumdrop nougat candy is so rewarding.

8. Let the Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy cool completely before cutting it into squares. This usually takes about 2-3 hours. Be patient, mama – it’s worth the wait!

My family loves this comforting Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy as a sweet treat after dinner, especially during the holidays. It’s the perfect holiday nougat treat to share with friends and family. The kids devour this comforting Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy when I serve it with a glass of cold milk or hot cocoa. It’s also a great addition to a cookie platter or candy buffet. I even chop it up and sprinkle it on top of ice cream sometimes! I usually make a double batch because it disappears so quickly. This Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy is perfect for those holiday gatherings when we need a classic candy recipe. The bright colors of the gumdrops make it so festive! If there are any leftovers (which is rare!), I store them in an airtight container at room temperature. My friends always rave about this chewy nougat confection when I bring it to potlucks or holiday parties. It’s a nostalgic treat that brings back happy memories for everyone. We tried a peppermint variation once, swapping out the vanilla for peppermint extract and adding crushed candy canes – it was a huge hit! This comforting Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy reminds me of another family favorite – Strawberry Cool Whip Candy. You might also enjoy Candy Corn Poke Cake for a festive fall treat.

Absolutely! The sugar and egg whites provide a good energy boost, and the chewy texture makes it a satisfying treat. Plus, it’s homemade with love, which always makes it extra special!

Try letting them help you make it! Kids are more likely to try something they’ve helped create. You can also let them choose their favorite gumdrop colors to add to the mix. If that doesn’t work, offer a small piece alongside something they already enjoy. My youngest was hesitant at first, but now he’s the biggest fan!

Yes, you can definitely make this Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy ahead of time! It keeps well at room temperature in an airtight container for several days. It’s a great sanity-saver for busy weeks when you need a quick and easy dessert option.

While a candy thermometer is recommended for best results, you can still make this Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy without one. Instead, use the “cold water test.” Drop a small amount of the sugar mixture into a glass of cold water. If it forms a firm but pliable ball, it’s ready.

Definitely! Feel free to experiment with different flavors and colors of gumdrops. You can even use sugar-free gumdrops if you’re looking for a healthier option. My family loves it when I use a mix of spice drops and fruit gumdrops.

Getting the sugar to the right temperature is key! Not hot enough and it won’t set, too hot and it will be brittle. And make sure to beat the egg whites to stiff peaks or the nougat won’t have the right structure. Learn more about potential mistakes when making nougat.

The most common cause of sticky nougat is not cooking the sugar mixture to a high enough temperature. Make sure you reach the “hard-ball stage” (260°F) on a candy thermometer. Another possibility is that you added too much moisture. Make sure your egg whites are properly beaten and that you don’t add any extra liquid to the mixture.

This Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy is more than just a recipe – it’s a way to create lasting memories and share a little bit of comfort with your loved ones. It supports my family’s comfort food goals by providing a sweet treat that’s both nostalgic and delicious. It’s really a win-win!

Here are my Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy Comfort Hacks:

Here are a few family-tested Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy variations:

My daughter loves the peppermint version, while my son prefers the classic with extra gumdrops. My husband is a fan of the nutty nougat. I hope you and your family enjoy this comforting Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Nougat Candy as much as we do! Remember, don’t be afraid to make it your own way – that’s what comfort food is all about. For more simple comfort food ideas for busy families, check out this delicious Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie. Happy candy-making, fellow comfort seekers! I’m cheering for your dinnertime wins! This holiday nougat treat can’t be beat.