We’re barely through Halloween when Christmas candy starts piling up. Then comes Valentine’s Day, and you know Easter is right around the corner. Unless you’re making a serious effort to gobble up your holiday candy, chances are that by now you have too much of it laying around.
But no need to fret! Your Valentine’s Day candy—or any holiday candy—can be stored for the long haul and enjoyed later this year. Here’s how:
General tips
- Candies have different storage requirements, but the pantry or a dry basement are usually safe bets to stash sweets for months.
- Freezing is a popular method for preserving food over a long period of time, but not all sweets are suited for the harsh cold of the freezer. Toffee and truffles can be frozen for up to 2 months, but avoid freezing anything with fruit or nuts.
- Avoid mixing types of candies in one container. Candies that absorb moisture—like fudge and creamy candies—will cause harder candies become sticky.
Chocolate
Dark chocolate can stay fresh and delicious for one to two years. Wrap it tightly in foil and store in a cool, dark, dry place. Basements or pantries are ideal locations.
Milk and white chocolate have a more limited storage time. Follow the same directions as dark chocolate, but it will only stay good for about eight to ten months.
Hard candy
Store hard candies, like SweeTarts, candy hearts, and suckers, in a jar at room temperature or in a cool and dry location. Sprinkle with a bit of finely ground sugar. They’ll last for up to a year.
candy corn
Candy corn has traditionally be associated with Halloween, but in recent years, makers have produced Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter-themed treats, too. If you have an abundance of fresh, unopened candy corn, store in a cool, dry place and it will stay good for up to nine months. Opened candy corn should be stored under the same conditions, but will last about six months before starting to lose its texture and quality.
Gum
Gum has a shelf-life of six to nine months. After than, it’s still good, but you might notice a decline in quality. To store you gum for the long-haul, keep gum packages in a cool, dry place and out of reach of direct sunlight.
Caramels
Gifted caramels? Lucky you! They’re delicious, but without proper storage, they may make a mess. Caramel treats should be kept covered at room temperature, and away from any heat or sunlight. They’ll last up to twelve months. To really make sure they last, wrap candies like caramels, taffies, or nougats individually with clean cellophane to protect from dampness during storage.
Also see, The sweet history of the heart-shaped box of chocolates.
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