Fudge is available in an endless amount of flavors, with triple chocolate and, peanut butter often being people’s go-to choices. It has a lovely texture and is rich and creamy to the point of being decadent.
While eating a few pieces at a time or sharing with a buddy is straightforward, you’re unlikely to eat all of your fudge in one sitting, especially if you have made a very large batch. But how long does fudge last?
Depending on how it’s stored, fudge can last anywhere from a week to several months. It’s all about properly wrapping fudge to keep it from drying out and to keep it from changing temperature.
These elements can impact the flavor and texture of fudge. You’ll be able to have your best fudge recipe on hand at all times once you’ve figured out how to store it.
Can Fudge Be Stored In The Fridge?
Many people will tell you that fudge should never be stored in a refrigerator.
These people may claim that it makes their fudge brittle and tasteless due to the conditions inside the fridge that draw out the moisture from the fudge pieces.
Brittle fudge is impossible to come back from, so if this happens all the pieces have to be thrown away.
So are they right?
Well, we are here to tell you that storing fudge in the fridge is perfectly fine, so long as you do it properly. To keep fudge fresh, it needs to be kept chilled. If properly stored, fudge can last for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
Before putting fudge in the fridge, make sure you have an airtight container with a good seal.
To give extra protection, layer the fudge with waxed paper in between each layer to keep moisture and air out. Follow these instructions and your fudge will be perfect for weeks.
Can You Store Fudge At Room Temperature?
Fudge usually contains dairy as one of its core ingredients, although the candy’s high sugar content helps to offset this. Because of this, you can keep your fudge out at room temperature if you plan to eat it within 1 to 2 weeks.
If you’re going to keep your fudge at room temperature, make sure it’s protected from moisture, light, and temperature changes. Layer the fudge with waxed paper and store it in an airtight container.
It’s preferable to keep the fudge somewhere cool and dry to avoid it melting. Rather than leaving the airtight container out on the counter, tuck it away in the pantry or a cupboard to ensure that it does not dry out and become brittle.
Can You Store Fudge In The Freezer?
Freezing your fudge is a fantastic option for storing it for a long period.
If properly kept, the fudge will last 2 to 3 months in the freezer. Fudge can even be kept for up to a year in the freezer, though the quality of it may dip after the initial 2-3 months.
It’s vital to keep your fudge in the freezer as fresh as possible by keeping it free of air and moisture. Before putting the fudge in the freezer, wrap it with waxed paper.
Then, to keep the elements out, cover it with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Plastic wrap the fudge and keep it in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Fudge should be stored in the back of the freezer, not the front or on the freezer door. The temperature changes caused by the door being opened and closed need to be avoided or you could be left with brittle fudge.
When you are ready to eat the fudge, you need to give it plenty of time to thaw out, at least 2-3 hours. Give the fudge a little poke to see if it is soft. If it is then it’s ready to eat.
What Is The Best Place To Store Fudge?
When storing fudge, the most important thing to remember is to keep it out of direct sunlight and avoid temperature changes. Fudge should be kept in an airtight container at all times.
When putting it into the container, cut the fudge into little pieces and layer it with waxed paper in between.
It is better to store your fudge at room temperature if you expect to eat it soon. The freezer is the best solution if you want to keep your fudge for a longer amount of time.
Fudge that is placed in the freezer for long-term storage is kept hidden at the back and well-stored and wrapped for the best results.
To keep fudge fresh, it must be stored in a cool, dry, and light-free location. Putting it in the fridge will suffice in a hurry, but if not wrapped up correctly your fudge may go brittle.
Can Fudge Go “Off”?
Fudge can go bad, but not in the same way that other foods might go bad. Although fudge isn’t regarded as a potentially dangerous food, it can change in texture, appearance, and flavor depending on how it has been stored.
Fudge may melt or develop a slimy appearance on the surface when the temperature changes. When exposed to air, it can dry out and become rigid and hard.
If any of the fudge add-ins have the potential to grow mold you should take added care when preparing it for storage, as though the fudge won’t make you sick, these added ingredients might.
If your fudge looks or feels different than normal, or you notice it is smelling bad, then you should throw the whole batch away just in case, even if other pieces in the same container look fine.
Can Bad Fudge Make You Unwell?
Fudge is quite unlikely to get someone sick. It’s usually because fudge has been exposed to air, moisture, or a temperature change that it goes bad.
These factors can degrade the quality of the fudge, but due to the high sugar content that keeps the sweet stable, old fudge is unlikely to make anyone sick. It will just be very gross to eat.
In Summary
It is up to you on how you store fudge. Though we’d highly recommend you store the fudge in air tight containers to keep it fresher for longer. If storing the fudge in the fridge it will harden and you may want to leave at room temperature prior to consuming. It’s like that debate on whether chocolate belongs in the fridge or in the cupboard.
If your main concern is about keeping fudge fresh, read this How To Keep Fudge Fresh. Check out our Ultimate guide to making fudge for storage ideas and how to wrap fudge.
