Okay, so let me just say this upfront—Four Ingredient Nougat Bars are kinda my secret holiday hack. You know when you want something cute and festive, but you also don’t wanna babysit a stove for like, an hour? Yeah… this is that recipe. It’s sweet, chewy, colorful, and honestly, a total crowd-pleaser at any Christmas party or potluck.
And the kicker? You only need four ingredients—I mean, come on, that’s basically a win before you even start mixing anything.
Before I get into the steps, just picture this: soft white nougat packed with red and green gumdrops. It looks like something straight out of a Christmas movie, the kind where someone’s baking in a cozy kitchen while snow falls outside. (Not my real life, by the way—I’m probably in sweatpants with the AC blasting.)
Why I Love These Four Ingredient Nougat Bars
I’m a total sucker for treats that look fancy but take almost zero effort. These bars hit that sweet spot. The mini marshmallows melt into this soft, fluffy base. The white chocolate gives the whole thing that creamy vibe. And then the gumdrops—oh man—the gumdrops add this chewy pop of fruitiness that just works.
Plus, you can toss this recipe together in like 10 minutes. The longest part is waiting for the bars to chill, which—let’s be real—is the worst part because I’m usually hovering around the fridge like, “Are they ready yet?”
Ingredients You Need
Nothing wild here. Just the basics:
- Miniature marshmallows – 2 packages
- Butter, melted – 2 tablespoons
- White chocolate chips – 2 packages
- Red and green gumdrops – 1 ½ cups
That’s it. Four things. But they somehow team up like they’re in a dessert superhero squad.
How To Make Four Ingredient Nougat Bars
Step 1: Warm Up the Marshmallows
Grab a big microwave-safe bowl (trust me, go bigger than you think—you don’t want marshmallow lava creeping over the sides). Toss in your mini marshmallows and melted butter.
Microwave everything for about 1–2 minutes, just until the marshmallows puff up. Stir until the mix looks smooth and kinda glossy.
Step 2: Melt the White Chocolate
Get another bowl and heat your white chocolate chips in 30-second bursts. Stir after each one. It should end up soft and silky—sorta like frosting but without all the work.
Step 3: Bring Everything Together
Pour the melted white chocolate right into your marshmallow bowl. Mix it all up until the texture gets thick, sticky, and honestly a little messy—but in that good, finger-licking way.
Step 4: Add Those Gumdrops
Fold in the red and green gumdrops. They’ll look like little candy gems hiding in a blanket of white nougat. It’s super festive and kinda adorable.
Step 5: Press the Mix Into a Pan
Line a dish or tray with parchment or foil—leave some extra hanging off the sides so you can lift it out later.
Press the nougat mixture into an even layer. A spatula works, but I usually just use my hands because it’s way quicker.
Step 6: Chill Time
Pop the pan into the fridge for at least 1–2 hours. The bars need time to firm up. If you sneak a bite early… well, I won’t judge. I’ve done it too.
Step 7: Slice and Serve
Once everything is set, lift the slab out using the parchment “handles.” Slice into bars or squares. Boom—done. You just made a holiday dessert with barely any effort.
Quick Tips (From Someone Who Makes These All the Time)
- If the mixture feels too sticky, chill it for 5 minutes and come back.
- Want cleaner slices? Run your knife under warm water and wipe it between cuts.
- If your gumdrops feel too firm, microwave them for like 5 seconds—literally just 5.
Final Take
These Four Ingredient Nougat Bars are one of those treats that make people think you spent way more time in the kitchen than you actually did. They’re colorful, chewy, fun, and seriously perfect for Christmas cookie trays.
Honestly, every time I make them, someone asks for the recipe—and I just kinda laugh because it’s so darn simple.