If you’ve never tried nougat before, you are seriously missing out! This old-fashioned holiday nougat is one of those special treats that makes the holidays feel even sweeter. With its soft, chewy texture, delicate vanilla flavor, and colorful bits of fruit and crunchy nuts, every bite feels like a little celebration.
I love recipes that bring a touch of nostalgia to the holiday season, and this homemade nougat is exactly that kind of treat. It looks beautiful on a Christmas dessert tray, makes a thoughtful homemade gift, and is surprisingly fun to prepare!
The best part? You don't need a long list of complicated ingredients. A little patience, a candy thermometer, and a few simple steps are all it takes to make this festive confection at home.
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What Is Old-Fashioned Holiday Nougat?
Nougat is a traditional confection typically made with whipped egg whites and hot sugar syrup. Depending on the variety, it may also contain honey, toasted nuts, dried fruit, and flavorings such as vanilla.
This holiday version is inspired by the soft, colorful nougat often found in Christmas candy shops. It has a sweet, chewy center filled with crunchy almonds and pistachios, along with little bursts of dried cranberries and cherries.
Unlike hard candies, nougat has a tender texture that you can bite into. It is sweet, slightly chewy, and packed with delicious little surprises!
Why You'll Love This Holiday Nougat Recipe
There are so many reasons to make this old-fashioned nougat during the holidays.
Perfect for Christmas: Its festive colors make it look gorgeous on holiday dessert platters.
A wonderful homemade gift: Wrap individual pieces in parchment or candy wrappers for a thoughtful edible present.
Crunchy and chewy: The combination of soft nougat, toasted nuts, and dried fruit makes every bite interesting.
Easy to customize: You can change the nuts, fruit, and flavorings to suit your taste.
Make-ahead friendly: Prepare it in advance so you have one less dessert to worry about during the busy holiday season.
And honestly, the smell of warm honey and vanilla while making this candy is wonderful!
What Does Homemade Holiday Nougat Taste Like?
Imagine a soft, sweet vanilla candy with a gentle honey flavor, crunchy toasted nuts, and chewy pieces of dried fruit.
That's what makes nougat so special!
The texture is somewhere between a soft marshmallow and a chewy candy, although traditional nougat has its own unique consistency. The almonds and pistachios add a lovely crunch, while cranberries and cherries provide little pops of fruity sweetness.
It is rich, sweet, and satisfying, so a small piece is usually just enough to enjoy after a holiday meal.
Ingredients You'll Need
Makes approximately 30–36 small pieces
Here is what you'll need to prepare this homemade holiday nougat.
2 cups granulated sugar
½ cup honey
½ cup light corn syrup
¼ cup water
2 large egg whites, at room temperature
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup whole almonds, lightly toasted
½ cup shelled pistachios
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup chopped dried cherries
Edible rice paper or wafer paper, optional, for lining the nougat
A quick ingredient note: Corn syrup helps reduce unwanted sugar crystallization and contributes to a smooth candy texture. Honey adds the lovely traditional flavor. For the best results, use a candy thermometer rather than guessing when the syrup is ready.
Kitchen Tools You'll Need
You don't need a professional candy-making kitchen, but a few tools make this recipe much easier.
A heavy-bottomed saucepan
A candy thermometer
A stand mixer or electric hand mixer
A heatproof mixing bowl
A silicone spatula
A sharp knife
An 8-inch square baking pan
Parchment paper or wafer paper
A small bowl for the nuts and dried fruit
A stand mixer is especially helpful because the egg whites need to be whipped while the hot sugar syrup is added.
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
