Fudge is one of the most popular desserts in the US. Everyone likes fudge – it’s fairly simple to make and the taste is amazing. The simple mixture of sugar, milk and butter creates a creamy dessert that we all love.
Even better, on a lazy day, you can just pick up a fudge from the store. So, you’ve bought too much fudge at the store, or you’ve accidentally made too much at home. You’re most likely asking yourself: how long does fudge last? How much time do you have to go through it all?
If these questions worry you, we have the answers. Read on to find out does fudge go bad, how long it lasts, and how to properly keep it!
See Also: How Long Do Macarons Last?
Does Fudge Go Bad?
Fudge is a fairly popular dessert. It’s made and served often across the whole country. Surely, we’d all like to stock up on fudge and eat it whenever we feel like it. But, there is a question that has to be answered first: does fudge go bad?
The answer is: Yes, fudge can go bad. Like any other dessert or candy, it will spoil at some point. Luckily, its content is high in sugar, fat, and added preservatives, which guarantee it will not go bad in a matter of a day or two.
Fudge lasts longer than brownies and similar chocolate goods, for example. So, if you’re looking to cook dessert a few days ahead of time, choose fudge over brownies. Keep in mind that homemade fudge lasts a shorter time compared to mass-produced fudge.
To make sure your fudge doesn’t go bad too soon, follow the guidelines on the box or the advice mentioned below. Proper storage will preserve your delicacy.
How Long Does Fudge Last?
We’ve confirmed that the fudge has an expiration date, but it’s important to know how long it lasts. Whether the fudge is stored in a cooler or room temperature determines the shelf life of fudge.
Store-bought fudge has a best-by date on the label. The manufacturer can guarantee that the product will retain the same quality up to the date specified on the label. A best-by date means that the product will not go bad after that date, but it will slowly degrade in quality.
So, store-bought fudge has a shelf life of a few weeks at most. It’s not very long, we agree – but you can prolong that by storing it in the refrigerator.
You can push the best-by date by three weeks at most, provided you keep it in the fridge. If you store at room temperature, the fudge should be finished in a week past the best-before date.
Homemade fudge lasts a lot less compared to the store-bought kind. Unlike the fudge from the store, it doesn’t have any preservatives to uphold the dessert, and it usually has a smaller quantity of sugar and butter. Its freshness will last somewhere between one and two weeks if stored at room temperature. If it’s stored inside the refrigerator, it lasts for longer from three to four weeks.
If you feel you have made or bought too much fudge for you to finish in a couple of weeks’ time, there’s another thing that can be done. Freezing the fudge will extend the freshness of your homemade fudge for another three to four months. Once thawed, it should be consumed within a week.
Keep in mind that these are only estimates – always check the state of your fudge before serving it for dessert. Correct storage ensures you will always be welcomed with a tasty fudge.
How To Store Fudge?
To make sure you always have fresh fudge, you have to store it properly. It can be stored at room temperature and in the fridge. In the fridge, it will last longer, but if you struggle with space in the fridge, the cupboard or the pantry is fine too.
Find a place away from any moisture or humidity. Humidity makes the perfect surrounding for the growth of bacteria and fungi. Also, store it away from any sources of heat – like the radiator or an air vent.
The worst thing that could happen to fudge is that it can dry out – it will be hard to eat and the texture will become crumbly and unappetizing. This happens more often to fudge placed in the fridge – due to the dry and cold air.
So, the best way to avoid that is to transfer it into an airtight container (plastic or glass), or a zip lock bag. Also, you can cover the fudge in aluminum foil. It might be best to double wrap it to eliminate exposure to air.
Furthermore, if you plan on storing the fudge away for a few days, consider wrapping the fudge blocks in wax paper. Wax paper is a better choice than any other wrapping paper because fudge won’t stick to it. Also, the pieces won’t stick together, so it makes serving so much easier.
If you’ve decided on freezing the fudge, we advise you to store it in larger blocks rather than in small, serving pieces. It will dry out less this way and it will be easier to cut once frozen.
Wrap every single piece in wax paper completely, and close them in an airtight container or a zip lock bag. If you have smaller freezer bags, you can store one piece per bag, just remember to push out the air before closing the bag.
When you decide to take your dessert out of the freezer, do it ahead of time. The fudge thaws best if left in the refrigerator overnight. After thawing, keep it in the refrigerator only.
How To Check If The Fudge Has Gone Bad?
There are a few ways to check if your fudge has gone bad. Read this part carefully to learn how to do that.
If you can’t exactly remember when you bought or made the fudge, you should take a few moments before serving the dessert to check it out.
The first step is checking the fudge for mold or mildew. If you can spot white, yellow, or even green discolorations, this is a sign the fudge has definitely gone sour. If the ingredients have started separating or you can see liquid collecting on top, the fudge is no longer good. This might be because of two possible reasons: the ingredients in fudge (milk or butter) have gone sour, or you’ve kept the fudge in inadequate storage.
Secondly, check the texture of your fudge. The quality is all about texture – when the quality decays it affects the texture directly. So, if the texture became crumbly or hard, the fudge is probably past its prime.
Even if it’s still safe to eat, eating it will not be a pleasant experience, so it might be best to trash it. On the other hand, if the fudge has started melting and it has a gooey, slimy texture, it’s gone off for sure.
If you find the appearance and the texture satisfying, do a sniff test. If the smell is no longer pleasant, even putrid, the fudge is no longer safe to eat. Throwing it out is for the best.
However, if the fudge has passed all the tests and you’re still not sure about the state of it – take a small bite. If the flavor is not the same, or even disgusting, it’s a good sign it’s time to discard this dessert.
How Long Does Fudge Last – Conclusion
Fudge is a very popular type of dessert. It can be homemade or bought from the shelf. As we concluded, the fudge does go bad.
Homemade fudge has a shelf life of up to two weeks. That can be extended to four, provided you keep it in the fridge.
The shelf life is longer when it comes to the store-bought kind, thanks to preservatives found in the ingredient list. You can eat it in three weeks past the best-by date if you keep the fudge in the fridge. If you keep it at room temperature, use it within a week past the date.
When it comes to storage, pick a dry and cool place like the cupboard or the pantry – but the fridge works as well. Store the fudge in an airtight container or a zip lock bag, and wrap every piece in wax paper for the best results.
If you’re not sure about the state of your fudge, take a few moments to examine it. Look for mold and discolorations. Examine the texture – if the fudge has hardened or it’s slimy, it’s definitely not safe for consumption. If everything looks fine, do a sniff and a taste test to make sure the fudge really is fine.
If your fudge looks, smells, and tastes like fudge, it’s most definitely safe to eat! Bon appetit!