What is the best way to store homemade candy?

Protect Candy in the Pantry . While different types of candy have different storage requirements, the pantry is generally a safe place to stash sweets. Airtight storage in a cool place will ensure a longer shelf-life. Some treats may also be frozen.

How long will homemade chocolate candy last?

Handmade, premium gourmet (and typically ultra-expensive) chocolates and chocolate truffles purchased from specialty stores don't last as long as regular boxed chocolates. They will usually remain at peak quality for 2 to 3 weeks at room temperature .

How is hard candy made?

Recipes for hard candy use a sugar syrup, such as sucrose, glucose or fructose. This is heated to a particular temperature, at which point the candy maker removes it from the heat source and may add citric acid, food dye, and some flavouring, such as a plant extract, essential oil, or flavourant.

What do you wrap homemade candy in?

Cut in squares and wrap in waxed paper or parchment paper .

What makes candy go bad?

Store your candy in a cool – room temp or slightly less – and dry place. If it contains nuts or chocolate, it'll expire faster. If not, the less moisture and fat that type of candy has, the longer it will last. Upper end on lifespan for the most persevering candies is two years, but most are about 6 months.

Is hard candy good or bad for you?

Eating hard candies is also bad for your jaw because it requires a lot of chewing and can irritate the gums and other soft tissues of your mouth. Hard candies also conduct more heat than soft candies, and this can burn your sensitive oral tissues.

What does cream of tartar do to hard candy?

Adding cream of tartar when you're making candy helps prevent the creation of sugar crystals . That's why lots of icing, syrup or candy recipes call for it: it makes it so the end product doesn't have large crunchy sugar capsules.

How do you preserve homemade sweets?

To extend the shelf life of your homemade Indian sweets: Freeze: Some Indian sweets can be frozen for several weeks. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper and place them in an airtight container before freezing.

What's the best way to store hard candy?

Hard candies can last up to one year if they're stored in a cool, dry place away from humidity and heat . To keep hard candies from absorbing moisture from the air and other nearby treats, sprinkle them with finely ground sugar before stashing them in an airtight glass jar.

How do you increase the shelf life of candy?

Store your candy in a cool – room temp or slightly less – and dry place . If it contains nuts or chocolate, it'll expire faster. If not, the less moisture and fat that type of candy has, the longer it will last. Upper end on lifespan for the most persevering candies is two years, but most are about 6 months.

The Best Tips for Storing Homemade Candy from Our Test Kitchen Pros (2024)

Keep our Test Kitchen-approved tips and tricks handy when you want to wrap and store homemade candies—so you can indulge in them as long as possible.

Andrea Beck

Andrea Beck served as garden editor at BHG and her work has appeared on Food & Wine, Martha Stewart, MyRecipes, and more.

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How to Store Homemade Candy

Most candies will keep 2 to 3 weeks (if not longer) if stored tightly covered in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator. It's best to avoid storing different types of candy together in the same container because hard candies will become soft and sticky, and soft candies will dry out. Here are some tips for storing candies:

Protect truffles, caramels, and nougats from dampness by wrapping them individually in clear plastic wrap. Chocolate candies will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge. Caramels can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Store popcorn balls this way, too, but consume within one week for the best quality.
To protect brittles and toffees from dampness, layer them in an airtight container ($16, Bed Bath & Beyond) between sheets of waxed paper. Store at room temperature 1 to 2 weeks.
Layer fudge pieces or divinity between waxed paper in an airtight container to prevent from quickly drying out. Store at room temperature up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
To preserve the glossy finish on chocolate-covered candies, separate chocolates from one another by storing them in mini paper cups.
Gumdrops are an exception to storing candies tightly covered. They need to be loosely covered so their surface remains dry. Moisture makes the sugar coating soft and sticky.

Freezing Homemade Candies

Your best bet for keeping your candies tasting fresh is to consume them within the periods we mentioned above at room temperature or in the fridge. If you are trying to get a head start on holiday baking, these peanut butter balls are an easy candy recipe that can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. We also have some freezer-friendly bar cookies and holiday cookies that will be perfect for your holiday planning.

When removing candy from the freezer, allow it to come to room temperature (about 2-3 hours) before opening or removing the wrapping. This will prevent moisture from collecting on the surface of the candy and causing white speckles or gray streaks.

Now that you know how to store your candy properly, follow our tips on how to make delicious fudge and homemade candies at home. Then you should definitely check out our favorite Christmas candy recipes for inspiration on what to include in the holiday spread this year.

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The Best Tips for Storing Homemade Candy from Our Test Kitchen Pros (2024)

How to Store Homemade Candy

Freezing Homemade Candies

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