Trick or treat? Ideally, it’ll always be a treat, even if it’s a few weeks later!
If you don’t want your impressive Halloween haul to go to waste, here are six tips to make sure that doesn’t happen and that you have delicious candy well beyond October 31st.
Store Them Properly
The first step in storing your leftover candy is selecting the appropriate containers. The right storage can help preserve the candy’s texture and flavor. Airtight plastic containers are perfect for keeping moisture and air out. Glass jars work equally well, provided they have airtight lids. This is a good way to keep your candy out where it’s visible so you don’t forget about it. Smaller quantities can be tucked away in Ziploc plastic bags.
Sort Your Candy By Shelf Life
Sorting your candy makes it easier to store. Separate chocolate from non-chocolate candy first. Non-chocolate candies have a longer shelf life but are best kept separate from chocolate. Hard candies last longer than soft candies and should be stored in airtight containers. While you’re sorting, this is a good time to check for expirations, damage, or visible signs of spoilage.
Keep Candy Cool and Dry
Store your Halloween candy in a cool, dry place. You should also avoid putting it around heat sources like your oven. Humidity is also a problem and could make soft candy spoil faster. Pantries and cupboards are best for storage in a garage or basement, as these can have higher humidity levels.
Use a Freezer If You Have To
If the abundance is still too much, you can always use the freezer to help preserve your candy’s freshness. This works especially well for chocolate. Just make sure you store and wrap everything properly either in an airtight container or a freezer bag. Label and date your candy so you can still eat it before the quality diminishes too much.
Practice First In, First Out
The “first in, first out” principle (FIFO) is something restaurants use to make sure the oldest food is always consumed first so it doesn’t go to waste. When you add new candy to your storage containers, place the older candy at the front. This way, it’s the first thing you see and will encourage you to use it up. You can even make it a fun goal to eat a certain amount or type of candy before a specific date to ensure it doesn’t stay in your cabinet forgotten.
Get Creative
If, for some reason, you still can’t eat all your candy in time (it must be quite the haul!), try mixing them into cookies, brownies, or cakes. That essentially just makes more food you have to eat, but it’s still a way to make a fun twist on baked goods, particularly ones you’re sharing with others. If you’re not much of a baker, try topping ice cream with candy instead! Smaller chocolate candies can even be folded into homemade trail mix for a sweet and salty snack on hand.
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