One way of approaching Halloween in a frugal way is to make your candy last! Storing away those Halloween sweets is a great way to enforce encourage moderation and make your candy last beyond a few days. But, how long will that Halloween candy last? And, how can you make sure it stays fresh? These are some great tips for keeping Halloween candy alive long after your ghosts and goblins are resting in peace.
- Pantry protection. While different types of candy have different storage requirements, generally your pantry is a safe place to stash sweets. Airtight storage in a cool place will ensure a longer shelf-life and a number of candies may be frozen as well.
Did you know: Freezing is a popular method for keeping candy over long periods of time. However, not all sweets are suited for the freezer. While toffee and truffles can be frozen for up to 2 months, avoid freezing candy with fruits and nuts. - Wrap it up. Soft candy treats such as taffies, caramels and nougats should be protected from moisture during storage. Before storing away, make sure these sweets are wrapped individually in clear cellophane.
Did you know: Candy is made simply by dissolving sugar in water. Different heating levels determine the types of candy: Hot temperatures make hard candy, medium heat will make soft candy and cool temperatures make chewy candy. - Avoid moisture issues. Certain candies absorb moisture such as caramels, mints and hard candies, so don’t mix them with candies that lose moisture and tend to dry out such as fudge and creamy candies. Storing these sweets in the same container will cause the harder candies to become sticky and the softer ones to dry out. To make sure that hard candies stay that way, sprinkle with finely ground sugar and store in an air-tight jar.
Did you know: Halloween is the holiday with the highest candy sales, followed by Easter, Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
