Get ready to steal Christmas (dessert, that is!) with scrumptiously sweet, Grinch nougat! A playful twist on a classic holiday treat, this homemade nougat is as green as the Grinch himself, and is dotted with with delightful pops of red gumdrops.
Can you feel your heart growing three sizes already? Buckle up, because we’re about to embark on a deliciously fun ride into the whimsical world of Who-ville. Maybe the Grinch himself will even join us for a bite!
Why You’ll Love Homemade Grinch Nougat
- Easy: With only a handful of ingredients, it’s a simple and fun Christmas activity for the whole family.
- Festive: The vibrant green hue and pops of red gumdrops make this Grinch nougat perfect for any holiday party or gathering.
- Delicious: This nougat is just as tasty as the store-bought version, but with a fun twist that is sure to make your taste buds sing.
- Unique: There are so treats inspired by everyone’s favorite Christmas villain, but this Christmas nougat is definitely one of a kind.
What You’ll Need:
Ingredients:
- Mini Marshmallows
- White Chocolate Chips
- Red Gumdrops, cut into quarters
- Unsalted Butter
- Green Oil-Based Food Coloring
Equipment:
- 8×8 Baking Pan
- Medium and Large Microwave Safe Mixing Bowls
- Sharp Knife
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- 2 Rubber Spatulas
- Parchment Paper
- Nonstick Cooking Spray
How to Make Grinch Nougat:
To make things even easier for you, I created a simple step-by-step guide below. For all measurements and a more detailed guide, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Step 1 – Prepare an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly spray the parchment paper with cooking spray. If you haven’t already, cut your gumdrops into quarters. Set both aside.
Step 2 – Combine the marshmallows and butter in a large, microwave safe mixing bowl. Set aside.
Step 3 – Add the white chocolate chips to a medium, microwave safe, mixing bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals on high heat, stirring between each interval. Set aside when the chocolate is perfectly smooth, without any lumps.
Step 4 – Heat the marshmallow mixture on high for 2 minutes. Stir the mixture and heat it for another 30 seconds. Stir again until the mixture is completely melted and well incorporated.
Step 5 – Stir the green food coloring into the marshmallow mixture until the color is evenly distributed. If desired, add more food coloring.
Step 6 – Pour the melted chocolate onto the marshmallow mixture and stir well.
Step 7 – Fold ¾ cup of gumdrop pieces into the mixture. Return the bowl to the microwave and heat for approximately 15 seconds. Stir well.
Step 8 – Quickly pour the nougat mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining gumdrop pieces onto the nougat. Gently press the gumdrops down to keep them in place. Refrigerate until set, about 8 hours or overnight. Cut into ½-inch squares before serving.
Essential Tips:
Don’t skip these tips – read them before starting to avoid any potential mistakes.
- To get the best results with this recipe it’s important to work quickly. Have everything measured, cut and ready to go before you start heating anything up.
- It’s important to stir the chocolate whether it’s melted or not. This distributes the heat more evenly so they don’t burn.
- Cut your butter into at least two pieces to help it melt more evenly.
- If you prefer a neon-green, you can use a lime colored oil-based food coloring, though it is more expensive.
- Using regular green oil based food coloring? Keep in mind that the amount of color necessary may vary depending on the brand. Start with the recommended amount and then gradually add more dye one drop at a time until you reach your desired color. See more food coloring info in the FAQ below.
- Using older marshmallows that have lost their light and fluffy texture won’t affect the nougat’s overall quality, but it may result in a slightly firmer consistency.
- The final nougat mixture is very sticky and can be difficult to work with. I like to use a rubber glove that’s been misted with nonstick spray to help spread it more evenly, though it’s very common to have a bit of nougat that is still stuck to the bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Unfortunately, no. It is essential to use oil-based food coloring with this recipe. Using water-based dyes can cause the chocolate to seize, resulting in a ruined dish. Learn more about melting chocolate.
If you don’t want to spend the extra money for a bottle of oil-based food dye, you can also use green candy melts. Please note that the nougat may have a slightly lighter appearance compared to color of the candy melts you use. These vibrant green candy melts tend to be my favorite for Grinch themed items.
If you can only find the gumdrops that come in multiple colors, you will need approximately 3 boxes to get the full cup needed. If you can find Dots all reds, you can get away with only 2 boxes. (It comes in 3 shades, one of which is more pink than the others and doesn’t look as good)
For the best results, use high-quality chocolate chips such as Nestle or Ghirardelli. Cheaper brands may not melt properly and could affect the overall texture of your nougat. Plus, you want to make sure your Grinch Christmas Nougat is as delicious as possible! So splurge a little on some good quality chocolate for this recipe.
Serve Grinch Nougat at Your Next Holiday Party
You’ve made your Grinch Nougat – now let’s have some fun serving it up! Why not create a “Grinchmas” dessert table with printable Christmas decorations and some of these green and red treats:
- Grinch Cinnamon Rolls: A festive and delicious breakfast option that pairs perfectly with the nougat.
- “Heart Three Sizes Big” Brownie Bites: Use a cookie cutter to create brownie stacks made with three different sized hearts. A sweet reminder of how much the Grinch’s heart grew!
- Christmas Bark with Red and Green Candy: A simple and delicious treat.
- Green Grinch Punch: Serve up a refreshing drink with lemon-lime soda, lime sherbet, and pineapple juice. Don’t forget to rim your glasses with red sprinkles around the rim for a festive touch!
- Grinchy Gift Boxes: Wrap up these nougat pieces in adorable Grinch-themed gift boxes and hand them out as party favors. Your guests will love the thoughtfulness and the tasty surprise inside!
Remember, the key is to have fun, be creative, and let the spirit of Grinchmas guide your decorating decisions!
How to Store Grinch Christmas Nougat
As always, this treat tastes best when served fresh, but it will keep going strong for quite a while, thanks to all that sugar. It hasn’t gone bad or changed texture even after a whole month of proper storage.
Make ahead: For a special occasion or to give away as gifts, make Grinch Christmas Nougat up to 1 week in advance and store in an airtight container in the fridge. You may want to separate each layer with parchment paper or wax paper so the individual candies don’t stick together.
Leftovers: Store any leftovers, if there are any, in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.
To Freeze: For best results, wrap individual pieces tightly with plastic wrap and then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Allow them to thaw at room temperature before serving, about 1-2 hours.
Storing Nougat at Room Temperature: The nougat can be stored at room temperature if you don’t want to keep it in the fridge, but it is more likely to stick together and will be more difficult to chew. Try storing a small portion at room temperature to see if you like the texture before committing all of your leftovers.
If you liked my Grinch Nougat, you’re going to love my Reindeer Cupcakes. They’re just as fun and easy to make, perfect for holiday parties and gifting.
And don’t forget to check out all of my Christmas desserts for more festive inspiration!
Grinch Nougat
Sweet, chewy green Grinch nougat is dotted with bright red gumdrops to create a festive and delicious treat for Christmas parties and snacks.
Ingredients
- 1 16-Ounce Bag Mini Marshmallows
- 1 ¾ Cup White Chocolate Chips
- 1 Cup Red Gumdrops, cut into quarters
- 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- ¼ Teaspoon Green Oil-Based Food Coloring
Instructions
- Prepare an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly spray the parchment paper with cooking spray. Set aside. If you haven't already, cut your gumdrops into quarters.
- Combine the marshmallows and butter* in a large, microwave safe mixing bowl. Set aside.
- Add the white chocolate chips to a medium, microwave safe, mixing bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals on high heat, stirring between each interval.* Set aside when the chocolate is perfectly smooth, without any lumps.
- Heat the marshmallow mixture on high for 2 minutes. Stir the mixture and heat it for another 30 seconds. Stir again until the mixture is completely melted and well incorporated.
- Stir the green food coloring into the marshmallow mixture until the color is evenly distributed. If desired, add more food coloring.
- Pour the melted chocolate onto the marshmallow mixture and stir well.
- Fold ¾ cup of gumdrop pieces into the mixture.
- Return the bowl to the microwave and heat for approximately 15 seconds. Stir well.
- Quickly pour the nougat mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining gumdrop pieces onto the nougat. Gently press the gumdrops down to keep them in place.
- Refrigerate until set, about 8 hours or overnight. Cut into ½-inch squares and enjoy!
Notes
Remember, the step-by-step photos and FAQ in the recipe post are there to help you if you feel stuck at any point.
- To get the best results with this recipe it's important to work quickly. Have everything measured, cut and ready to go before you start heating anything up.
- It's important to stir the chocolate whether it's melted or not. This distributes the heat more evenly so they don't burn.
- Cut your butter into at least two pieces to help it melt more evenly.
- Keep in mind that the amount of color necessary may vary depending on the brand. Start with the recommended amount and then gradually add more dye one drop at a time until you reach your desired color.
- Using older marshmallows that have lost their light and fluffy texture won't affect the nougat's overall quality, but it may result in a slightly firmer consistency.
- The final nougat mixture is very sticky and can be difficult to work with. I like to use a rubber glove that's been misted with nonstick spray to help spread it more evenly, though it's very common to have a bit of nougat that is still stuck to the bowl.
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Lyndsey says
This is so fun, I love it! I’d love to have you share this at my weekly link up, Tell It To Me Tuesday. You can find this weeks here: https://perfectlyimperfect-lwl.com/tell-it-to-me-tuesday-25-12-5-23-link-party/