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.

By

Andrea Beck

The Best Tips for Storing Homemade Candy from Our Test Kitchen Pros (1)

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

and

Katlyn Moncada

The Best Tips for Storing Homemade Candy from Our Test Kitchen Pros (2)

Katlyn Moncada is the associate food editor at BHG.com, sharing food news and tutorials on becoming better home cooks. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience in digital media, photography, and video production.

Updated on August 31, 2020

If your holiday tables are lined with tins of chewy caramels, fudge, and crunchy peppermint bark every year, it's a good idea to know the best way to store those homemade candies. Unlike storing your favorite cookies that last only a few days, most candies last much longer. In fact, those chocolate truffles, honey nougat, and peanut butter balls (to name just a few) can last weeks when stored properly. Learn the best ways to store every type of homemade candy as well as our Test Kitchen freezing tips to keep your candies fresher longer.

The Best Tips for Storing Homemade Candy from Our Test Kitchen Pros (3)

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)

FAQs

The Best Tips for Storing Homemade Candy from Our Test Kitchen Pros? ›

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.

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 to keep homemade hard candy from sticking together? ›

If the candy cools too quickly, set it on a saucepan over hot water to soften it, but if it gets sticky, return at once to the work counter. Toss in a small amount of powdered sugar to keep from sticking together.

How 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.

What supplies do I need to make candy? ›

What Are the Essentials of a Candy Making Supply?
  1. Sugar. ...
  2. Corn Syrup and Cornstarch. ...
  3. Flavorings. ...
  4. Nuts and Fruits. ...
  5. Chocolates and Caramels. ...
  6. Dairy Products. ...
  7. Ready-Made Candy Centers.
Dec 28, 2021

What do you wrap homemade candy in? ›

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

Why won't my homemade candy harden? ›

If the sugar mixture is not cooked to the proper temperature (the hard-crack stage 300-310° F {149-154° C.} or if you are working in a kitchen with high humidity, chances are your candy is retaining too much moisture.

Can you use parchment paper when making hard candy? ›

Quickly pour the syrup into lightly oiled molds or on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and let harden. To prevent the candy from sticking, dust finished pieces with powdered sugar.

What temperature should candy be stored at? ›

Wilbur Chocolate in Lancaster, however, says that 63 to 68 degrees is the ideal temperature range for storing candy. Know your candy. No one wants a rock-hard coconut bar, so be sure to store those closer to room temperature. It's the same for licorice.

How long will sweets last in a paper bag? ›

As paper bags breathe more than plastic, the sweets are always 'double-bagged' to aid longevity of the sweets. If the bags are kept closed, they should be great for about 3 weeks once made, although the expiry date of the contents is much longer than this!

Is it OK to put candy in the fridge? ›

Overall, general recommendations suggest the pantry is the best place to store sweets, away from light and moisture. Certain candies (like chocolate) may be okay in the fridge or freezer, but any that contain fruit or nuts should not be frozen.

What does cornstarch do to candy? ›

The addition of cornstarch (called cornflour in British recipes) helps give the taffy a smooth texture. Why do I add corn syrup? Corn syrup acts as an "interfering agent" in this and many other candy recipes.

What is the best spoon for making candy? ›

Preferably it would not conduct heat – such as a stainless spoon with a wooden handle (as seen below), but even a long handle teaspoon will do. Bamboo spoons work well – assuming they fit your pot. The scale is not critical – so if you are on low budget and can't afford one don't buy it just for candy making.

How profitable is candy making? ›

How Successful Is a Candy Business? The success of a candy business will depend on a number of factors; however, the annual net profit can range from $50,000 to more than $700,000. Keep in mind that the revenue will depend on if you make your own candy or not.

Does homemade candy need to be refrigerated? ›

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.

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.

How do you increase the shelf life of candy? ›

Always store candy wafers in cool, dry places, and in a container that is airtight. Plastic bags, food storage containers, and glass jars will all do the trick. The cupboard is a safe place where wafers will not be exposed to too much heat, light, or moisture.

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