How can you help candy stay fresh? Consider tips for toffee, chocolates, hard candies and more.
Whether you’ve stocked up during the holidays or are saving a few of your favorite Wockenfuss sweets for later, understanding how to properly store candy can help you enjoy your treats at their best. While candy doesn’t spoil the way perishable foods do, improper storage can cause it to lose flavor, texture, and visual appeal. For example, we never recommend refrigerating chocolate. Instead, keep chocolate at a cool room temperature for the next experience. When you follow these few simple tips, you can keep your candy tasting fresh and delicious for months to come.
Protect Candy in the Pantry
Most candies have a fairly long shelf life when stored correctly. In general, a cool, dry pantry is one of the safest places to keep candy. Keeping sweets away from direct sunlight, moisture, and heat will prevent melting, crystallizing, or other texture changes. Airtight containers are a must, especially if you’re storing treats for an extended time.
Some candy varieties, such as chocolates, hard candies, and caramels, will remain fresh for several months if kept in the right conditions – do not freeze or refrigerate chocolate but keep them in a cool dry place. Be sure to check for storage instructions on packaging, and when in doubt, keep the candy cool and sealed.
Wrap It Up: Keep Moisture at Bay
Certain candies, like taffies, nougats, and chewy caramels, require a little extra care. These candies are especially sensitive to moisture and air exposure. To maintain their soft, chewy texture, be sure they’re individually wrapped in clear cellophane or wax paper before storing.
If you’re creating a candy mix or saving leftovers from a party or event, rewrap any unwrapped pieces and separate sticky candies into their own sealed bags or containers to prevent them from clumping together.
Use Caution When Freezing
While freezing can be a great way to extend a candy’s shelf life, not all sweets are freezer-friendly. For example, truffles and toffees freeze well and can be stored in airtight containers in the freezer for up to two months without sacrificing flavor or texture.
However, avoid freezing candies that contain fruits or nuts, as the moisture content in these ingredients may cause the candy to develop an off texture or taste once thawed. When freezing chocolate, wrap it tightly in plastic and then in foil or an airtight bag to prevent condensation or freezer burn.
Avoid Moisture Mixes
One common mistake in candy storage is combining treats with different moisture levels. For example, hard candies and mints absorb moisture, while fudge and creamy confections release it. Storing them together can result in sticky hard candies and dried-out fudge—not the sweet experience you were hoping for.
To avoid this, store candies of similar textures together, and for hard candies, sprinkle them lightly with finely ground sugar before sealing them in an airtight jar. This extra step helps maintain their crisp snap and glossy finish.
Enjoy Candy at Its Best
Candy is meant to bring joy, and with a little storage know-how, your Wockenfuss favorites can stay fresh, flavorful, and ready to enjoy whenever the craving hits. Whether you’re storing seasonal chocolates, chewy caramels, or colorful gummies, keeping moisture out, wrapping sweets carefully, and choosing the right storage spot will help ensure every bite is just as good as the first.
Ready to replenish your sweet supply? Visit your nearest Wockenfuss Candies location or shop online for your favorite confections!
A Wide Selection of Delicious Treats from Wockenfuss Candies
Head to WockenfussCandies.com and browse our wide selection of chocolates and candies; we promise you won’t be disappointed! Wockenfuss Candies is one of the oldest candy makers in Baltimore. We opened our doors in 1915 and have proudly served the people of Baltimore ever since. If you have any questions about our wide selection of chocolates, please contact Wockenfuss Candies by calling 1-800-296-4414 or email info@Wockenfusscandies.com. When you’re not savoring our sweets, stay satisfied by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!