The Best Tips for Storing Homemade Candy from Our Test Kitchen Pros (2024)

FAQs

The Best Tips for Storing Homemade Candy from Our Test Kitchen Pros? ›

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.

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.

Drop the pieces onto the buttered baking sheet. If the candy cools too quickly, set it on a saucepan over hot water to soften it, but if it gets sticky, return at once to the work counter. Toss in a small amount of powdered sugar to keep from sticking together. Repeat with the second pan of candy.

Candies, especially the hard ones, can get sticky when they absorb moisture from the air. Hard candies, once wrapped in wax paper or cellophane, are best stored in an airtight container. The candy's original flavor remains even after so much time has passed.

Ensure that confectionery is kept airtight or in its original packaging. Humidity, heat or sunlight may make Boiled Lollies sticky. Do not leave confectionery in cars as the temperature may be too hot. If you are repackaging confectionery, do so in small amounts in a cool, dry area.

As paper bags breathe more than plastic, the sweets are always 'double-bagged' to aid longevity of the sweets. If the bags are kept closed, they should be great for about 3 weeks once made, although the expiry date of the contents is much longer than this!

If the sugar mixture is not cooked to the proper temperature (the hard-crack stage 300-310° F {149-154° C.} or if you are working in a kitchen with high humidity, chances are your candy is retaining too much moisture.

Quickly pour the syrup into lightly oiled molds or on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and let harden. To prevent the candy from sticking, dust finished pieces with powdered sugar.

The first step in preserving your candy is selecting an appropriate storage spot. Opt for a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Heat and light can cause candy to melt or degrade in quality. A pantry or a cupboard in a cool part of your home is ideal.

Proper packaging: The candy should be packaged in airtight containers to prevent moisture and air from getting in. Vacuum sealing or using oxygen absorbers can also help to increase shelf life. Storage conditions: The candy should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat.

How do you make hard candy soft again? ›

To speed that process along, leave the candy in a loosely covered container with a damp paper towel. If the candy is not wrapped, place a double sheet of plastic wrap between the damp towel and the candy. Change the damp towel every two to three days. It will still probably take a month or so for the candy to soften.

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.

Use a couple of light coats of clear, polycrylic spray. Lightly spray the candies. Wait 20 minutes, turn them over, and do it again.

Storage Conditions. Store sugar in a cool, dry location (not the refrigerator). Moisture makes granulated sugar hard and lumpy. Once this happens, it creates problems in usage and there is no easy method to restore lumpy sugar.

Overall, general recommendations suggest the pantry is the best place to store sweets, away from light and moisture. Certain candies (like chocolate) may be okay in the fridge or freezer, but any that contain fruit or nuts should not be frozen.

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.

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.