Fudge, whether you made it on your own or you bought it from a store, is a delicious sweet treat. Long-term storage and air penetration, however, can negatively alter its flavor. With this, you should know how long does fudge last and be familiar with the different ways to keep it fresh.
If you are unable to finish eating all your fudge in one sitting, do not worry. You do not have to force yourself to finish it all. You can keep the fudge and eat it later, but you should know until when it can be stored to be guaranteed that it will still be delicious!
In the rest of this post, we will let you know the shelf life of fudge, as well as the best ways to determine if you can still eat it or if you should throw it away. We will also give you tips on its proper storage, allowing it to stay sweet and flavorful longer.
How Long Does Fudge Last
There is one thing that is sure – fudge does not have an indefinite shelf life. There will come a time that it will spoil and no longer safe to be eaten. The shelf life, however, will depend on the number of factors, such as whether it is cut or uncut and the manner of storage.
Generally, if fudge is stored in a cool and dry place, it can last for one to two weeks. Meanwhile, if it is refrigerated, it will last for up to three weeks. If you want to keep it longer, you can store it in the freezer. In the case of the latter, its shelf life can be extended to up to three months.
How to Store Fudge
If you want fudge to last longer, one of the things that should be given emphasis is its proper storage. You should keep it in the right place and follow the tips that will be mentioned below to retain its freshness and sweet flavor even after a while.
If it is possible, you should keep fudge whole or uncut. This is because if it is already cut, this makes it more prone to penetration of external elements that can affect its taste, such as air. Also, if you intend to cut it into small portions, make sure to use only clean utensils so that you can prevent the possibility of contamination.
When the fudge has already been cut, you should keep it in a clean container. See to it as well that the container is dry before putting the fudge. The dirt in the container can contaminate your fudge and can speed up spoilage. It should also have a tight seal to prevent the penetration of air.
It is possible to keep the fudge in a container in the pantry. This is as long as the temperature is not too hot. Otherwise, you should keep it in the fridge, or better yet, in the freezer. Keeping it frozen will extend its shelf life, but the problem with the latter is that it can negatively affect the texture of the fudge.
If you are leaving the fudge in an open area, see to it that it is away from any source of direct heat, such as oven and sunlight. This will make it warmer and will also melt. It will spoil quickly, especially if there are nuts.
When keeping the fudge in the fridge or freezer, see to it that it is not positioned next to any item that comes with a strong smell, such as fish and raw meat. Especially if the container is not tightly sealed, this will make the fudge less flavorful.
You can also wrap the fudge in wax paper and double it with a layer of aluminum foil. The latter will help to lessen the possibility that the fudge will be reached by contaminants. Once wrapped, keep it in an air-tight container for additional protection.
Aside from proper storage, fudge can also last longer if you made it the right way. You should use the right ingredients that can prolong its shelf life. With this, here is a short video that shows how to make fudge:
How To Know If Fudge Is Bad
While fudge can be a delicious and sweet treat, this is not always the case. If it has already gone bad, it will no longer be as flavorful. Eating fudge that has gone off will not lead to death, but the experience will no longer be as good because of changes in taste and texture.
Unlike cake and other baked treats, it is unlikely that fudge will be rotten or molded. To spot signs of spoilage, look for cracks and dryness, especially if it is not kept in the fridge. The edges will most probably crack and will appear dry instead of being moist. Liquid can also appear once fudge has turned bad.
You can also pinch the fudge to know if it is still fresh. If it appears soggy after pinching, it is no longer as good as a fresh fudge. When you try to chew it, the fudge might also be rubbery if it has been stored longer than what is recommended. Its taste will also be bland.
Conclusion
From the discussions above about how long does fudge last, I hope that you were able to learn a thing or two. In a nutshell, here are some of the most important things that you should keep in mind:
- The shelf life of fudge is not indefinite. When left at room temperature, it will last one to two weeks. In the fridge, it will last up to three weeks. In the freezer, you can keep it for up to three months.
- It is best to store fudge uncut. Once it is cut, you can wrap it in wax paper and aluminum foil. It should also be placed in a clean and dry container with an air-tight seal. For long-term storage, keep fudge in the freezer.
- To know if fudge has already gone bad, pay attention to cracks and dryness. It is also likely that liquid will appear. It will be soggy when it has already spoiled.
