There’s something magically festive about sweet, chewy, and colorful treats like these. This White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe brings together creamy white chocolate, fluffy marshmallows, and festive candies into a simple no-bake delight you’ll want to share (or maybe not!).
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe has quickly become a holiday staple in my kitchen, and I think you’ll find it just as joyful and straightforward. It’s a recipe that doesn’t mess around — just a few ingredients come together effortlessly to create a treat we all crave this season.
- Super Easy: No oven required, which means less fuss and more enjoying those sweet moments.
- Festive & Fun: The red and green candies add that perfect holiday pop everyone appreciates.
- Time Saver: Prep takes just 20 minutes, then the fridge does all the hard work while you relax.
- Kid-Friendly: The simple steps make it a perfect activity to do with kids or a fun party contribution.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic here is in the simplicity and quality of ingredients. Each component plays its part to create a candy bar that’s creamy, chewy, and festive all at once. Plus, you can grab everything easily at your local grocery store, making this recipe stress-free to prep.
- Butter: Adds a little silkiness to the melted white chocolate, making the texture smooth and easier to work with.
- White chocolate chips: The star player here — creamy, sweet, and rich, providing the perfect base.
- Mini marshmallows: They melt slightly without totally losing their shape, delivering that irresistible chew in every bite.
- Red and green gumdrops or chewy candy: These add festive color and a little fruity chew that brightens the flavor and look of the bars.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe is how easy it is to tailor the candy bits or even add your own little twists. I’ve found these bars are a perfect canvas for creative holidays treats.
- Variation: I once swapped out the gumdrops for crushed peppermint candies and it gave such a wonderful minty crunch that screamed winter holidays.
Step-by-Step: How I Make White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients
Start by lining an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and giving it a light butter or nonstick spray coating. It’ll make lifting the bars easier later, and trust me, you want those perfect edges! Measure out everything before melting — it speeds up the process and keeps the chocolate from seizing.
Step 2: Melt the Butter, White Chocolate Chips, and Marshmallows
Pop the butter, white chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows into a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir thoroughly with a greased spatula to prevent sticking. Continue microwaving in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until everything is melted smooth. It might look a bit soft from the marshmallows melting, but keep stirring until it's creamy.
Step 3: Fold in the Festive Candies
Let the melted mixture cool for about a minute so it’s easier to handle, then gently fold in your chopped red and green gumdrops or chewy candies. This is where the magic happens with all those seasonal colors!
Step 4: Press Into Your Pan and Chill
Transfer your mixture to the prepared pan and use the spatula to press it down gently but firmly into an even layer. Cover it with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or if you’re like me and planning ahead, overnight works wonders.
Step 5: Slice and Enjoy!
When chilled and set, use the parchment edges to lift the whole slab from the pan. Peel off the paper and slice into small, bite-sized squares. These are perfect for sharing or keeping a secret stash for yourself!
Top Tip
After making these candy bars a dozen times, I’ve learned a few personal go-tos that guarantee success every time you whip up this White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe.
- Smooth Melting: Always stir between microwave bursts; that keeps the mixture silky and stops the white chocolate from clumping.
- Grease Your Spatula: It sounds small, but greasing your stirring spatula prevents sticky messes and makes folding in marshmallows easy.
- Chill Time Is Crucial: Don’t rush the refrigeration step — the bars need that time to fully set and keep their shape when cut.
- Use Fresh Candies: Old gumdrops or candy can harden and make cutting tough — fresh ones keep everything soft and inviting.
How to Serve White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe
Garnishes
I like to dust the tops lightly with a pinch of edible glitter or festive sprinkles when I’m feeling fancy, especially for holiday parties. It adds a lovely shimmer and makes these bars look as special as they taste.
Side Dishes
These candy bars pair wonderfully alongside a cup of rich hot chocolate or cozy mulled cider. They balance each other out perfectly — the creamy bars and the warm drinks make for a heartwarming combo.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gatherings, I’ve arranged these white chocolate marshmallow bars on a vintage serving tray with a scattering of fresh cranberries and sprigs of rosemary. It’s simple but feels festive and inviting right away.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature when the weather’s cool, or in the fridge if it’s warm. They stay delightfully chewy for up to a week — if you can resist that long!
Freezing
These candy bars freeze really well. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then pop them in a freezer bag. When you want some, thaw them overnight in the fridge — they keep their texture and flavor wonderfully.
Reheating
They’re perfect eaten cold, but if you want a warm treat, I gently microwave a piece for about 10 seconds. The white chocolate softens slightly, making the bars gooey and even more indulgent.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can, but mini marshmallows melt more evenly and create a better texture in the bars. Large marshmallows might make the melting process trickier and could result in uneven chunks.
You have lots of flexibility here! I’ve tried crushed peppermint, dried cranberries, or colorful M&Ms. Just keep in mind that candies that melt easily should be avoided to keep the bars’ texture.
Absolutely! In fact, they taste better when made ahead because the flavors get to meld together while chilling. They can be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for longer storage.
Using parchment paper makes lifting the bars out effortless and keeps their shape intact while cutting. If you skip this, you risk the bars sticking to the pan and possibly breaking apart.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe is one I return to every holiday season because it combines nostalgia, ease, and flavor in one sweet package. It’s like comfort in a bite, and I can’t recommend trying it enough. So grab your ingredients and let’s make this festive treat together — your taste buds will thank you.
Print
White Chocolate Marshmallow Candy Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive and easy-to-make Christmas candy featuring creamy white chocolate, soft marshmallows, and colorful gumdrops, perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 (12 oz) bag white chocolate chips
- 1 (10 oz) bag mini marshmallows
- 1 cup red and green gumdrops or chewy candy, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease it to prevent sticking. Set the dish aside.
- Melt main ingredients: Place the butter, white chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir using a greased spatula to combine.
- Continue melting mixture: Microwave the bowl in 30 second increments, stirring thoroughly between each, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth.
- Fold in candies: Allow the melted mixture to cool slightly for about 1 minute, then gently fold in the chopped red and green gumdrops or chewy candy until evenly distributed.
- Press mixture into dish: Transfer the candy mixture to the prepared baking dish and use a spatula to press it into a flat, even layer for consistent thickness.
- Chill to set: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight to allow the candy to firm up.
- Slice and store: Lift the candy out of the dish using the parchment paper. Remove the paper and cut the candy into small, bite-sized pieces. Store in an airtight container for freshness.
Notes
- Use greased spatula or buttered utensils to prevent sticking while stirring the melted mixture.
- Microwave times may vary; continue to stir and melt in short increments to avoid overheating.
- For a festive touch, use colored gumdrops to add vibrant flavors and appearances.
- Store candy in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge to maintain freshness.
- If you prefer a firmer candy, chill it overnight for the best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Leave a Reply