If your holiday tables are lined with tins of chewy caramels, fudge, and crunchy peppermint bark every year, it's a good idea to know the best way to store those homemade candies. Unlike storing your favorite cookies that last only a few days, most candies last much longer. In fact, those chocolate truffles, honey nougat, and peanut butter balls (to name just a few) can last weeks when stored properly. Learn the best ways to store every type of homemade candy as well as our Test Kitchen freezing tips to keep your candies fresher longer.

How to Store Homemade Candy

Most candies will keep 2 to 3 weeks (if not longer) if stored tightly covered in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator. It's best to avoid storing different types of candy together in the same container because hard candies will become soft and sticky, and soft candies will dry out. Here are some tips for storing candies:

• Protect truffles, caramels, and nougats from dampness by wrapping them individually in clear plastic wrap. Chocolate candies will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge. Caramels can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Store popcorn balls this way, too, but consume within one week for the best quality.
• To protect brittles and toffees from dampness, layer them in an airtight container between sheets of waxed paper. Store at room temperature 1 to 2 weeks.
• Layer fudge pieces or divinity between waxed paper in an airtight container to prevent from quickly drying out. Store at room temperature up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
• To preserve the glossy finish on chocolate-covered candies, separate chocolates from one another by storing them in mini paper cups.
• Gumdrops are an exception to storing candies tightly covered. They need to be loosely covered so their surface remains dry. Moisture makes the sugar coating soft and sticky.

Freezing Homemade Candies

Your best bet for keeping your candies tasting fresh is to consume them within the periods we mentioned above at room temperature or in the fridge. If you are trying to get a head start on holiday baking, these peanut butter balls are an easy candy recipe that can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. We also have some freezer-friendly bar cookies and holiday cookies that will be perfect for your holiday planning.

When removing candy from the freezer, allow it to come to room temperature (about 2-3 hours) before opening or removing the wrapping. This will prevent moisture from collecting on the surface of the candy and causing white speckles or gray streaks.

Now that you know how to store your candy properly, follow our tips on how to make delicious fudge and homemade candies at home. Then you should definitely check out our favorite Christmas candy recipes for inspiration on what to include in the holiday spread this year.