Tricks for saving your treats: Halloween candy storage tips (2024)

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Tricks for saving your treats: Halloween candy storage tips (1)Hurricane Sandy hit at the time when most people are shopping for candy for trick-or-treat.SHELLY STALLSMITH, The Patriot-News

Have more candy than you know what to do with?

Such is the fate for post-Halloween days. And if you haven’t been saddled with bags of chocolat-y goodness yet, chances are you will be tonight.

It is not just the trick or treaters who are finding themselves loaded up on sweets. Hurricane Sandy has put a damper on Halloween for many. After tonight, the treat givers might still have an arsenal of candy if trick or treaters don’t show up.

There is only so much candy one can eat in one sitting. So what are the best methods to preserve the rest?

We asked Lee Zimmerman of Zimmerman’s Nuts & Candy in Penbrook and various chocolate companies for their tips on keeping that treat tasty for longer.

Follow the 50/50 rule. Zimmerman recommends that candy generally be stored at around 50 degrees and 50 percent relative humidity. Wilbur Chocolate in Lancaster, however, says that 63 to 68 degrees is the ideal temperature range for storing candy.

Know your candy. No one wants a rock-hard coconut bar, so be sure to store those closer to room temperature. It's the same for licorice.

Avoid the refrigerator. Hershey's recommends not putting chocolate in the refrigerator for safe keeping. The chocolate might not melt properly if it has been kept in the cold box.

Maintain breathing room for candy. Wilbur recommends keeping its treats 4 inches off the floor and 4 inches away from the walls to allow proper air circulation around the chocolate.

Go old fashioned. Not sure you're going to be able to give your candy the perfect temperature it deserves? Zimmerman recommends opting for old-fashioned candies such as Mary Janes and Bit of Honeys. "They can take the warmer temperatures with the colder ones."

Hold onto candy corn. Because the Halloween treat is mostly cooked sugar, Zimmerman says it will "last literally three years." The manufacturer of Smarties recommends the same for its candy. Although if people follow the 50/50 rule, they could last longer.

Keep chocolate away from pungent food. Chocolate absorbs nearby odors, Wilbur says. Having the candy near items with a strong smell can alter the flavor of the confection.

Eat nuts first. Treats with nuts has a shorter shelf life than most because the nuts can go rancid. Zimmerman says that it puts a six months shelf life on its peanut-butter candies. "But if frozen, it will last up to a year," the company adds.

Tired of eating candy bar after candy bar? Take those sweets and craft a brand new treat with recipes for leftover candy dishes. Click here for recipes from The Hershey Company and here for recipes from Mars.

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Tricks for saving your treats: Halloween candy storage tips (2024)

FAQs

Tricks for saving your treats: Halloween candy storage tips? ›

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 of about 70 degrees.

What is the best way to preserve candy? ›

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.

How to save on Halloween candy? ›

Buy in bulk, look for coupons

We did some early trick-or-treating ourselves, not for treats but for Halloween savings tips. Smart shopping expert Trae Bodge says if you typically have a lot of Halloween traffic at your home, buying in bulk is the way to go.

How to store hard candy long term? ›

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.

What is the best way to store Halloween candy? ›

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 of about 70 degrees. Stored in this manner, the candy should last 6-9 months.

How to store candy in the freezer? ›

If you've got room in the freezer, just freeze your candy right in the bag. Most candy will last indefinitely, and popping some in a lunchbox or backpack makes for an easy treat during the school year.

How do you increase the shelf life of candy? ›

So, for example, a candy with aW 0.7-0.75 is more likely to retain all its properties for 60 days under certain conditions: storage temperature 10-13ºC, relative humidity about 70-75%, in a tightly closed package away from heat sources, light and strong odors.

What is the preservation method of candies? ›

Preservation Using Sugar

The fruits are boiled in sugar syrup of increasing concentrations, allowing the sugar to penetrate into their cells, replacing the water. As a natural preservative, it prevents the growth of microorganisms.

How to store M&M's long term? ›

M&M's retain their quality best when stored in a cool, dry place such as a pantry or cupboard. It's crucial to keep them away from any heat sources and to avoid drastic temperature changes that can compromise their quality.

How do you maximize Halloween candy? ›

The quality and fanciness of your costume can affect how many candies you're given. The more interesting, cute, scary, etc., your costume is, the more likely that the candy giver will "reward" you for your effort by giving you more candy. Make sure your costume is recognizable.

Who has the least expensive Halloween candy? ›

Walmart. If you don't want to buy in bulk at Sam's Club or Costco, Walmart has some of the lowest prices on Halloween candy. The retailer has tons of options for under $5 if you're not looking to splurge, or simply don't get a lot of trick or treaters. The retailer also offers bags of full-size treats.

How do you ration Halloween candy? ›

Ration candy.

Pick out a few favorite candies, and save the rest in a special spot where you won't be tempted to snack on them constantly. You can even create sweet tickets to be spent throughout the day.

How to preserve sweets for a long time? ›

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.

What is the best way to store homemade candy? ›

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.

Will Halloween candy be good next year? ›

– Children all across the country head out on Halloween to trick or treat, and parents may be wondering, how long is all of that candy good for? Experts at Virginia Tech said you're in the clear for longer than you may think. Most candies are good for six months to a year if stored at room temperature.

Can you freeze Halloween candy for a year? ›

Freezing candy can actually help extend the shelf life. It is very important to place the candy in an airtight container or freezer bag to keep the moisture out. The best quality frozen candy will last for about 12 to 18 months.

What to do with all the candy after Halloween? ›

Re-using the Halloween candy will save you the expense of buying new treats. You could even save it and use it decorate a gingerbread house or gingerbread man cookies during the holidays. Use it in trail mix – If you have candy that will mix well into a homemade trail mix, try that this year.

How do you keep Halloween candy from melting? ›

Follow the 50/50 rule. Zimmerman recommends that candy generally be stored at around 50 degrees and 50 percent relative humidity. Wilbur Chocolate in Lancaster, however, says that 63 to 68 degrees is the ideal temperature range for storing candy.

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