Last winter during that brutal Halifax ice storm, I lost power for two days straight. With a pantry search by flashlight, I discovered just enough ingredients to whip up these nougat bars while huddled near the fireplace. Sometimes desperation creates the most delicious traditions!

These nougat bars need just 4 ingredients but deliver that perfect chewy-sweet satisfaction when you’re craving something homemade. The satisfying snap when you break them apart is absolutely worth the minimal effort. And y’all’re gonna love how quickly they come together when that sweet tooth strikes!

Nutrition & Serving Ideas

Each bar contains approximately:

• Calories: 215
• Protein: 3g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fat: 12g
• Sugar: 19g

These nougat bars shine when paired with a strong espresso or cold brew coffee. The bitterness cuts through the sweetness perfectly. For an indulgent dessert, sandwich a small square between two vanilla wafer cookies or serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream with its melty edges creating the perfect contrast in temperatures.

Only 4 Ingredients Needed

The beauty of this nougat recipe is how few ingredients it requires:

• 2 cups of Marshmallow fluff
• 2 cups of White chocolate chips
• 2 cups of Roasted, unsalted nuts of your choice (chopped, if preferred)
• ½ cup (1 stick) of Butter

You likely have all 3 items already in your pantry. Look for mini marshmallows rather than large ones, as the smaller size helps the nougat come together more smoothly.

For the chocolate, opt for white chocolate chips rather than bars. The chips melt down more evenly. But you can use any color chocolate chips you prefer.

That’s it – just marshmallows, butter, and chocolate chips! Now let’s put them together into chewy homemade nougat.

Easy to Make Nougat Bars

Making nougat bars only takes about 10 minutes of active prep time. Here are the simple steps:

1- Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper. This helps remove the sticky nougat once set.

2- Melt the marshmallows, butter, and white chocolate chips together in a double boiler, stirring continuously until smooth. Remove from heat.

3- Stir in any additional mix-ins, like colorful gumdrops or sprinkles.

4- Quickly spread the nougat into the prepared pan using lightly greased parchment paper. Press down firmly.

5- Chill nougat in the fridge for at least 2 hours until completely set. Overnight works best.

6- Remove from pan, peel off parchment, and cut into small squares with a greased knife.

That’s all it takes to make your own homemade nougat bars! The hardest part is waiting for the nougat to firm up in the fridge.

Nostalgic Flavor from Simple Ingredients

It’s amazing how 3 basic pantry ingredients can produce such a delicious, old-fashioned candy taste. Here’s how each component contributes to the flavor:

Marshmallows – Marshmallows give the soft, pillowy sweetness along with the chewy squishy texture. Mini marshmallows smooth out the nougat best.

Butter – Butter adds a rich depth of flavor along with a fudgy quality. Any type of butter will work.

White chocolate chips – The white chocolate lends its signature sweet, creamy notes. Semisweet or milk chocolate chips also pair well.

Together these 3 ingredients meld into a sweet mouthful of nostalgia. The nougat filling tastes just like the nougat center inside your favorite candy bar!

 

Make Them Festive for the Holidays

Around the holidays, add extra flair to your nougat bars by swapping in seasonal mix-ins:

• Crushed candy canes or peppermint bits
• Chopped red and green gumdrops
• Dried cranberries and chopped walnuts
• Mini M&M’s or sprinkles

Scoop the finished nougat into mini cupcake liners for bite-sized portions perfect for holiday parties. Kids will love decorating their own nougat treats!

With its festive colors and flavors, homemade nougat makes a thoughtful edible gift or stocking stuffer. Share the sweetness with friends and family this holiday season.

 

Creative Ways to Enjoy Nougat Bars

Of course nougat bars taste delicious all on their own! But you can also incorporate them into other desserts:

• Crumble on top of ice cream or milkshakes
• Layer into a parfait with fruit and whipped cream
• Mash into cookie dough or cake batter
• Heat and drizzle over brownies like hot fudge

Let the nougat bars inspire you with new ways to satisfy your sweet tooth! They pair wonderfully with all kinds of fruits, cookies, cakes, and ice creams.

 

Easy Substitutions to Try

Don’t have an ingredient on hand? Try one of these easy nougat substitutions:

• Marshmallow creme or fluff instead of marshmallows
• Any nut butter instead of butter
• Dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Sprinkles or chopped nuts for mix-ins

You can’t go wrong with this flexible 3-ingredient formula. Use whichever versions of marshmallows, butter, and chocolate you prefer.

 

Make Ahead for Holidays and Gifts

One of the best aspects of homemade nougat is that it stores easily. Make a big batch ahead of the holidays, and keep it on hand for gifting and snacking.

Store nougat bars between layers of parchment paper in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, refrigerate up to 1 month or freeze for several months.

Let frozen nougat thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. It also thaws well at room temperature.

Wrapped nougat bars make thoughtful edible gifts for teachers, neighbors, and family. Include a greeting card with the recipe so they can make this nostalgic treat themselves!

 

Satisfy Your Nougat Cravings

Whip up a batch of 3-ingredient nougat bars the next time sugar cravings strike. In just minutes, you can indulge in the classic candy flavor – no special equipment or skill required.

Make some for your next get-together, gift them to loved ones, or stash them in your freezer for anytime snacking. However you enjoy it, this easy nougat is sure to provide a tasty trip down memory lane!

 

Pro Tips & Variations

Almond Crunch Nougat Bars

Swap the peanuts for sliced almonds and add ¼ teaspoon almond extract to the melted chocolate mixture. The subtle fragrance takes these bars from everyday treat to sophisticated dessert that your guests will rave about.

Chocolate-Striped Nougat Bars (Just 4 Ingredients Plus Drizzle!)

After chilling, drizzle melted dark chocolate in thin lines across the top of your bars. The bitter contrast with the sweet nougat creates a flavor dimension that coffee lovers can’t stop reaching for.

Maple-Kissed Nougat Bars

Replace two tablespoons of marshmallow fluff with pure maple syrup for a distinctly Canadian twist. And nothing beats that deep amber sweetness when you’re looking to level-up your basic nougat recipe!

Storage & Food Safety

Store your nougat bars in an airtight container, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll keep at room temperature for up to 1 week, though the texture is best within the first 3 days. Per USDA guidance on sugar confections, these bars are shelf-stable due to their low moisture content—just keep them away from heat sources.

For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months. The fridge will make them firmer with a more pronounced chew that some of my hockey-watching buddies actually prefer.

FAQs

Can I swap the peanuts for another nut (or go nut-free)?

Absolutely! These 4-ingredient nougat bars work beautifully with almost any nut—try cashews, pecans, or macadamias for different flavor profiles. For nut-free versions, crispy rice cereal or broken pretzel pieces provide that necessary crunch without allergen concerns. Just maintain the same volume measurement (1 cup) for whatever substitute you choose. The texture will change slightly, but the delicious chewiness remains the star of the show!

How do I keep the bars from turning out too sticky?

The magic happens in the chilling step—don’t rush it! Give them the full 2 hours (or overnight if you can stand the wait). Another trick: spritz your cutting knife with cooking spray between slices. Working in a too-warm kitchen? Pop the whole mixture into the freezer for 15 minutes before turning out onto your cutting board. Boom! Problem solved.

Can these nougat bars travel well for lunchboxes or road trips?

These nougat bars are road trip champions! They don’t melt like chocolate-heavy treats or crumble like cookies. For best results, chill them overnight before packing and wrap individual squares in parchment paper. I drove six hours to our summer cottage with these packed in a cooler bag—they arrived perfect even after sitting through Maritime traffic jams that had me questioning my life choices.

 

Recipe Developer Note: Candy-making hobbyist testing small-batch bars since 2019, specializing in pantry-friendly treats that require minimal equipment.