Does Fudge Go Bad

So you’ve bought a big slab of fudge at a fair or candy shop. Or even ordered online, since that’s a thing now. And after a few days you start to wonder: does fudge go bad?

Or maybe you used a recipe you’ve found online, and are wondering how long will the fudge last. Or if you can keep it on the counter, or refrigerate it right away.

And there’s also the question of whether or not you can freeze fudge, and how well does it freeze.

If you’d like to learn a bit more about either of these topics, this article is for you. In it, we talk about storage, shelf life, and going bad of fudge. If that sounds interesting, read on.

How To Store Fudge

When it comes to storing fudge, there are three options. Those are room temperature, the fridge, and the freezer. And each option has its own pros and cons, and might be the best choice depending on your situation.

Storing Fudge at Room Temperature

This method is best for storing fudge short term, both homemade and store-bought alike.

Storing fudge at room temperature means it sits in the pantry or in the kitchen. Choose a cool place away from sunlight and sources of heat. Either can make the fudge melt, and we don’t want that.

To prevent fudge from drying out and hardening, transfer it to an airtight container, especially if the original cardboard box can’t be closed tightly.

Alternatively, you can cut the slab into smaller pieces and place each piece in a freezer bag. If you do that, remember to squeeze out the air before fastening the seal.

Storing Fudge in the Fridge

Storing fudge in the fridge works great if you want to store your homemade or store-bought fudge for a few weeks. Or if you live in a hot climate and it’s summer, so you’re afraid the candy will melt.

But if you’re thinking about refrigerating fudge you’ve bought, make sure you read the label first. Some confectioners specifically mention that their product shouldn’t be refrigerated. When it comes to the homemade variety, check with the recipe if refrigeration is a-okay.

If your fudge is cleared for refrigeration, you need to pack it properly, so it doesn’t pick up any moisture or odors from the fridge. Once again, an airtight container or a freezer bag are both great options.

Can You Freeze Fudge?

Freezing fudge works great for both homemade fudge and the one you’ve bought in the candy store. Pretty much everyone agrees that you can freeze fudge and that it works quite well.

To retain the best quality possible, double-wrap the slab, and then put in a freezer bag or an airtight container. When it comes to specifics, use wax paper for the first layer and aluminum foil or plastic wrap for the second.

When it comes to thawing, a few hours in the fridge should be more than enough. You can also easily cut frozen fudge into cubes, so if you’re in a hurry, you can cut it up directly after taking it from the freezer and serve it to your guests.

How Long Does Fudge Last

Fudge basically consists of sugar, butter, and condensed or evaporated milk. Butter doesn’t last long at room temperature, and the same is true for the shelf life of evaporated milk after opening. But thanks to sugar and heat fudge does last quite a few days even if not refrigerated.

For homemade fudge, it usually lasts in good quality between a week and two weeks at room temperature, and around 3 to 4 weeks when refrigerated. For prolonged storage freezing is in order.

When it comes to store-bought fudge, well, find the date on the label and use it as your guideline.

It’s pretty much impossible to say how long the fudge you’ve bought will last. That’s because there are hundreds of varieties, some confectioners use preservatives while others don’t, and so on.

If the fudge is similar to a homemade one in terms of ingredients, it will last around 10 to 14 days. But you can also find fudge that should retain quality even for a couple of months. In other words, check the label and adhere to the date there.

When it comes to refrigerating, if the maker encourages it, it should give the fudge another week or two. If the shelf life is too short for your needs, you can always freeze the candy.

	Pantry	Fridge
Homemade fudge	1 – 2 weeks	3 – 4 weeks
Commercial fudge	Best-by + 1 week	Best-by + 2-3 weeks

Please note that the periods above are only estimates.

How To Tell If Fudge Has Gone Bad?

Generally, it takes quite some time until properly stored fudge shows any typical signs of spoilage, like mold growth or an off odor. So it’s more about its quality than going bad in the usual sense of the word.

And when it comes to fudge, the quality is all about the texture. If the candy dries out and hardens, it’s past its prime, and you should get rid of it. Same if it melts and turns slimy.

If everything about the fudge in terms of texture, appearance, and smell seems to be okay, it’s most likely perfectly fine to it. That is, of course, if you don’t already store it much longer than recommended.