Candy Storage Tips (2024)

FAQs

How should candy be stored? ›

Keep all candies in their original packaging whenever possible and, once it's opened, keep them in a sealed jar. The pantry is a safe place to store all the candy. If you store them in an airtight container, that's even better.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Storing Candy

Keep different types of candy in separate, airtight containers in a cool, dry place like your pantry or the refrigerator. This is especially important if you live in a humid climate since the finished candy could absorb moisture from the air, which will cause it to go soft sooner.

So, for example, a candy with aW 0.7-0.75 is more likely to retain all its properties for 60 days under certain conditions: storage temperature 10-13ºC, relative humidity about 70-75%, in a tightly closed package away from heat sources, light and strong odors.

"Light and heat will oxidize and causes rancid flavors, and those are the things that can affect, especially chocolates and candies, the most [in storage]," she said. "The cooler the temperature, the longer those ingredients are going to stay good tasting. ...

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.

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 to store 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.

Chocolate candies, like truffles and bonbons, have a shorter lifespan, but they follow the same rules for storage—keep them at room temperature in a dark, dry place. Better yet, place them in an airtight container in your pantry, and away from strong-smelling foods.

What about candy expiration dates — shouldn't I just adhere to those? 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.

Hard candies, like lollipops or mints, hold up relatively well. With their minimal moisture content, they resist decay for quite a while. However, they can still lose their flavor over time and become sticky or softer. Chewy candies like jelly beans have a somewhat shorter shelf life.

However, if properly stored, licorice candy has a shelf life of 6-12 months and will remain safe to consume well past its expiration date. So yes, it is safe to eat expired Twizzlers! The only time you need to worry is if there's an off smell or mold appears on your licorice.

A pantry or cupboard is typically a good choice. Avoid the Fridge: While it may be tempting to stash your jelly beans or Reese's Cups in the fridge or freezer, beware. Cold temperatures can cause chocolate to "bloom" -- a white or gray film forms as the cocoa butter separates from the sugar.

Preservation Using Sugar

The fruits are boiled in sugar syrup of increasing concentrations, allowing the sugar to penetrate into their cells, replacing the water. As a natural preservative, it prevents the growth of microorganisms.

For storage, keep hard candy at room temperature, in a dry place – never in the refrigerator. Properly kept, candy should last for weeks.