Although some people can eat a bar of fudge in no time, most of us will only eat a square a day at most. Fudge can be a sickly sweet if you eat too much of it, so how do we store the rest?
Don’t worry, we have you covered. There are a couple of “do’s” and “don’ts” around fudge storage that can help your treats last longer.
You can store fudge in various containers as long as the containers are airtight. This is to prevent the fudge from getting mouldy or absorbing moisture to it. Keeping fudge fresher for longer. You can also store fudge short term with cellophane gift bags if you are planning on giving these treats out.
We have put everything you need to know into this handy article, so you have a one-stop-shop for everything to do with fudge storage!
Basic Storage Technique For Fudge
The best way to store your fudge is by putting it into an airtight container and placing it in a dark, room-temperature location.
The main ingredient in fudge is sugar, and although milk and butter are two other major ingredients, the sugar dominance means that you don’t need to rush these treats into a refrigerator. In fact, we will get to refrigeration storage later.
If you want to keep your fudge feeling fresh, creamy, and soft, you should leave it at room temperature. The airtight container will stop it from going bad.
Best Storage Containers For Fudge
Any type of airtight container will be fantastic for keeping your fudge fresh. You can buy tons of plastic versions all over the internet, and although they are cheap and will work well, we suggest using a glass bottom container.
The reason for this is purely down to eco-friendly choice making. Both will do an amazing job at keeping the air away from the fudge, and therefore stopping it from oxygenating and deteriorating, but glass bottom containers are better for the environment.
We do not recommend using ziploc style bags, as they are easy to break. They will also make your fudge sweat and overheat, causing it to deteriorate faster.
To aim for ultimate life stretching designs, we suggest using parchment paper or lining your container with wax paper. This will stop the fudge from sticking to the bottom of the container, making them easier to move around and stopping them from sweating.
We also suggest placing these baking papers between each row of fudge to stop them from sticking to each other.
Can Fudge Be Refrigerated?
The short answer is, yes but don’t. The long answer is all about sugar crystals and aromas.
If you put fudge into the fridge, the texture of the sweet will change. One thing we are constantly trying to avoid in the fudge world is enlarging sugar crystals.
If we make a batch wrong, the sugar crystals will enlarge, creating a sand-like grainy texture. It’s gross and takes forever to get out of your mouth, however, it is still edible.
If you put fudge into the refrigerator, the creamy texture will dry out as the sugar crystals enlarge. Depending on how long they are in there for, you will likely end up with grainy fudge.
This is why we suggest avoiding using a refrigerator. Although the fudge will still be edible, it will have a bad texture.
The second reason to avoid a refrigerator is due to the fudge’s ability to absorb smells. If you have last night’s spaghetti, a tin of tuna, and whatever else in your fridge at the same time as your fudge, then when you eat your treat, you’ll notice it tastes like tomatoes and fish and all kinds of strangeness.
Can Fudge Be Frozen?
This might seem counterintuitive because we have told you to avoid refrigerators, but storing your fudge in the freezer is absolutely fine.
It is easy to thaw without hurting the textures, and because all the other foods are locked in ice, you won’t experience a strange mixture of taste either.
How To Defrost Fudge?
“So if fudge can be frozen, how do you defrost it?” I hear you cry!
The process is very simple, but it isn’t quick. Switch off your microwave, as no technology is required.
All you need to do is put the container on a plate outside of the freezer. You can leave it covered or take the lid off, but either way, your fudge will be safely defrosted after a couple of hours.
Although it takes a while to thaw, we should make you aware that fudge can be eaten frozen! As there are no dangerous ingredients in fudge (unless you have a strange flavor), you can eat it frozen if that’s your preference.
That being said, the more frozen the fudge is, the more “tacky” the texture feels, almost like eating toffee.
The Shelf Life Of Standard Fudge
Standard fudge has a long shelf life if you leave it at room temperature. It should be eaten in the first 4 weeks of purchase or creation to keep the fresh creamy texture, however it can last all the way through to 8 weeks.
If you freeze the fudge, it can last even longer, reaching 3 months!
However, note that we are talking about traditional fudge. If your fudge has an unusual ingredient added in, this could affect its shelf life. In that case, we suggest talking to the manufacturer to get the best time scales.
In Summary
Long story short. Keep your fudge fresher for longer by storing fudge in an airtight container! Now that we’ve gone through the do’s and don’ts of storing fudge you should be able to savour your homemade fudge.
Want to make some fudge? Try these recipes:
