Candy Storage Tips (2024)

Shelf-Life and Storage Suggestions

Chocolate

Dark chocolate can be kept for one to two years if wrapped in foil and stored in a cool, dark, and dry place. A pantry or basem*nt is an ideal location. Milk and white chocolate have a more limited storage time – no more than eight to ten months.

Hard Candy

Hard candies can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in a cool, dry location.

Jellied Candies

If the packaging has been opened, soft candies should be kept in a covered candy dish, away from heat and light at room temperature (about 70 degrees). Stored in this manner, the candy should last six to nine months. If the packaging has not been opened, soft sweets will last approximately 12 months.

Candy Corn

While traditionally associated withHalloween, candy makers have madeChristmas,Valentine’s Day,andEaster-themed candy corn in recent years.Learn more about this popular candy.

If the packaging has been opened, candy corn should be stored under the same conditions as soft candies and will last approximately three to six months. Unopened, fresh packages will last about nine months.

Gum

As long as the packaging remains sealed, most gum products have a shelf-life of six to nine months. To maximize product freshness, keep chewing gum packages in a cool, dry place and out of any direct sunlight.

Caramel

Caramel treats should be kept covered, away from heat and light at room temperature. Stored properly, caramel should last six to nine months and even up to 12 months in some cases.

General Guidelines

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.

Wrap It Up.

Treats such as taffies, caramels, and nougats should be protected from dampness during storage. Before storing away, make sure these sweets are wrapped individually with clear cellophane.

Use Caution When Freezing.

Freezing is a popular method for keeping candy over long periods of time. However, not all sweets are suited for the freezer. While toffee and truffles can be frozen for up to two months, avoid freezing candy with fruits and nuts.

Avoid Moisture Mixes.

Do not mix candies that absorb moisture – such as caramels, mints, and hard candies – with candies that lose moisture like fudge and creamy candies. Storing these sweets in the same container will cause the harder candies to become sticky. To make sure that hard candies stay hard, sprinkle with finely ground sugar and store in an airtight jar.

Candy Storage Tips (2024)

FAQs

Candy Storage Tips? ›

Protect Candy in the Pantry.

How long does candy last unrefrigerated? ›

Hard candy - Hard candies can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in a cool, dry location. Jellied candies - If the packaging has been opened, soft candies should be stored away from heat and light at room temperature (about 70 degrees). Stored in this manner, the candy should last 6-9 months.

How to store hard candy long term? ›

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? ›

A general rule to follow is that the softer the candy, then the shorter the shelf life it will have. Keeping candy in a cool, dry and dark place is the best way to store it, Blakeslee said. "The less exposure to air, the better," she said. "Also, store it at room temperature.

What candy has the longest shelf life? ›

Hard candy like Jolly Ranchers, lollipops and other individually wrapped candies can essentially last forever if they're stored right and kept away from moisture. Dark chocolate can last one to two years in a cool, dark, dry place. Milk and white chocolate will last up to 10 months.

Can you eat candy 2 years out of date? ›

Most candies do have expiration dates, but like most foods, these dates serve more as guidelines for when to consume them. It's generally fine to eat candy past its expiration date, though the quality and texture does decline after a certain point.

Can I eat candy from 2 years ago? ›

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.

Does freezing candy make it last longer? ›

Hard candy and gummies are similar: Keep them in a cool, dry place and they will last about a year. That could be anything from a cool room-temperature cupboard to a freezer, so freeze them if you want to be sure they can survive the year.

How to preserve sweets for a long time? ›

On average, they last for 2-3 days at room temperature and 5-7 days in the refrigerator. To store them correctly, you should keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How do you make a secret candy stash? ›

Make your candy hard to get to.

Similar to hiding your candy in layers, the longer it takes to get to your candy, the less likely someone will find it. Great places include under your clothes in a drawer, far under your bed, in a box at the very top of your shelf, and so forth.

Do Whoppers candy expire? ›

That's because candies like Whoppers—Hershey's chocolate-covered malted milk balls—depend on insect-derived shellac for their sheen and to preserve their shelf life for 12 months.

How long can candy last in a jar? ›

Yep, candy does expire, but the good news is that most types of candy keep well for six months or more. Also, in general, the quality will decline before the candy truly expires or becomes unsafe. Most candies have low moisture content paired with high levels of sugar, which is a preservative.

Do ring pops expire? ›

Ring pops are considered lollipops they remain good for up to 12 months at a normal room t… Q: Is the product safe for health?

Does candy need to be refrigerated? ›

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 does chocolate candy last unrefrigerated? ›

How long does a box of chocolates last at room temperature? Stored under those moderate temperatures, most types of boxed chocolates will retain their quality for at least 6 to 9 months, even after they been opened. It is shorter for chocolates filled with creams and caramels.

How long does individually wrapped candy last? ›

Yep, candy does expire, but the good news is that most types of candy keep well for six months or more. Also, in general, the quality will decline before the candy truly expires or becomes unsafe. Most candies have low moisture content paired with high levels of sugar, which is a preservative.

How long does chocolate candy last room temperature? ›

Typically, room-temperature chocolate will last for about a year, says Stoeckel. “Chocolate doesn't like heat or humidity,” he says. So as long as you keep both of those away from chocolate, it will remain delicious for up to a year, he adds.

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