Fudge is a sugary decadent treat. Sometimes, one piece may just be enough. Other times though, it’s hard to stop! It comes in so many different variations, from nuts and caramel to fruits and peanut butter. There’s a type of fudge for everyone to have and love.
The thing is though, it’s easy to go over board. Perhaps you’ve bought too much fudge at the store or made one too many trays of fudge. However you’ve done it, we’ve all been there – I know I have!
Whilst fudge doesn’t go bad as quickly as chocolate, you want to store it as best as possible. So, you might ask yourself, can you freeze fudge to keep it good for longer?
The short answer is yes. You can freeze fudge!
In this article, I’ll share with you all the steps and tips on how to freeze and defrost fudge at home. I’ll also provide other helpful advice that you’ll need when it comes to fudge.
Does Fudge Freeze Well?
The usual essential ingredients for fudge are sugar, milk, butter, and chocolate. With these ingredients, fudge surprisingly freezes rather well. The main factor with freezing fudge usually depends on the packaging and how you freeze it.
Most types of fudge will generally freeze well. However, fudge with sprinkled toppings on top (nuts, sprinkles, marshmallows, etc.), may not necessarily freeze well. That’s because these toppings might fall off when frozen. I’d recommend mixing the toppings into the fudge if you’re making it at home.
Can You Freeze Homemade Fudge?
Homemade fudge can be frozen at home just as you would with commercial made or store-bought fudge. Once you’re finished cooking homemade fudge, wait for it to cool down and set before freezing.
If you freeze it before it is cool, ice crystals may form, and the texture of your homemade fudge will differ and may become cracked.
Can You Freeze Peanut Butter Fudge?
Peanut butter fudge contains more fats and oil compared to regular fudge. You might be wondering if it’s still good to freeze.
Good news – you can freeze peanut butter fudge. Just freeze it how you would with regular fudge.
Once again, if it’s homemade, be sure to wait for it to cool down and set before freezing. Afterwards, follow the freezing and defrosting methods below to get the perfect fudge.
How Long Can You Freeze Fudge For?
Technically, fudge can be frozen for as long as a year or even longer if appropriately stored and wrapped in the freezer.
However, the longer you freeze it for, the greater the chance that the texture and flavor become compromised. Frozen fudge is also at risk of drying out or freezer burn.
A general rule of thumb for fudge is to consume it within 3 to 6 months once it’s frozen. By staying within this period, you can ensure the best quality and texture.
It’s best to consume your fudge as soon as possible. I also stress you should also freeze your fudge correctly to ensure a longer and better shelf-life – your future self will thank you!
Another vital thing to note is that homemade fudge will generally have a shorter shelf life than store-bought fudge. This is because store-bought fudge is usually made in controlled and sterilized factories. Most of the time, it will also have preservatives added too.
How to Freeze Fudge
How you freeze fudge will determine how easy it is for you to thaw later and determine how the flavor will be like.
Here’s the best way to freeze fudge at home:
Wait for the fudge to cool and set. If your fudge is homemade, it’s important to wait for it to cool down and set before freezing it. This will prevent any ice crystals from forming.
Cut the fudge into pieces. Cut your fudge into your preferred sizes. Small pieces will allow you to defrost a few pieces at a time as you want them. You can skip this step if you just want to freeze a whole block of fudge instead.
Wrap the fudge in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Once cut, wrap your pieces or whole fudge tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will seal in the moisture and ensure no air enters.
Store in a freezer-safe bag or container. Place your wrapped fudge into a freezer-safe bag or container. Seal or close tightly and pop it into the freezer.
Remember to label your containers and bags of fudge with the date and content for future reference.
Tips For Freezing Fudge Well
- Vacuum seal the bag. To ensure your fudge does not dry out, vacuum seal the bag to prevent any moisture from entering or escaping.
- Avoid stacking the fudge. Stacking fudge pieces may cause them to stick together, making it difficult to thaw in the future.
- Line with wax paper. To prevent fudge from sticking together or absorbing surround moisture, layer your fudge pieces or blocks with wax paper.
- Use fragrance-free containers. Fudge absorbs surrounding smells easily. Be sure to store it in containers that are not cardboard or contain any residue of food smells. It will leave you with leftover or freezer-smelling fudge.
How to Defrost Fudge
Defrosting fudge is relatively simple, but it’s essential to do it properly. Drastic temperature changes may cause the texture and flavor of the fudge to go weird.
Transfer your fudge from the freezer to the fridge. Simply remove your bag of fudge from the freezer and place it into the fridge to defrost. Alternatively, you can remove the number of fudge pieces you’ll like instead of thawing the whole bag.
Fudge will generally need to be left overnight to defrost in the fridge. Its thickness and whether it’s in small pieces or a whole block will also impact how long it takes to thaw.
Next, all you need to do is remove the wrapping, cut the fudge if required, serve and enjoy. You can take the fudge out 30 minutes to an hour before serving to get the perfect temperature. But it depends on how cold you like your fudge.
If you see some sweat or condensation on the fudge, don’t panic. This is normal, and it’ll generally be safe to eat. Continue reading to learn about signs if fudge has gone bad.
Tips For Defrosting Fudge Well
Here are some tips and tricks I’ve learned that you could use the next time you want to thaw fudge.
- Don’t open the bags before reaching room temperature. Refrain from opening the bag of fudge once you take it out from the freezer. This will expose the fudge to moisture, making it mushy and soggy.
- Refrain from removing the wrapping. Keeping the wrapping on the fudge when defrosting might help lock moisture and prevent condensation from absorbing into the fudge.
- Avoid microwaving. We all want a quick fix to defrost fudge, but avoid microwaving as heating up fudge straight from the freezer will cause the texture to become different and even separate.
How to Use Fudge After Thawing
Now, you have a batch of thawed fudge, but what should you do with it? Fudge is just like chocolate; you can do so many things with it, and there are various different recipes you can try out. Today I’ll share with you some of my favorite ways to use fudge.
Firstly, fudge is good on its own and comes in so many different variations. You can eat defrosted fudge as per usual, just as you would with any candy. It makes it a perfect and simple snack for everyone to enjoy at parties as a treat.
If you’re a fan of hot chocolate like me, you can also use fudge to make hot chocolate. All you need to do is heat up some milk in the microwave or in a pot. Add some pieces of fudge and give it a good stir. You’ll enjoy a lovely hot chocolatey fudge milk.
Another easy recipe to use fudge in is in cake or muffins! Fudge is excellent in almost any baked goods. You can substitute fudge for chocolate, and it will taste just as delicious. Fudge tastes especially good in brownies.
Lastly, you can also make your very own fudge sauce or dip. Simply by melting the fudge. With the fudge sauce, you can use it for pancakes, churros, or even as icing.
Should You Freeze Fudge To Set It?
To set fudge, you’re generally advised to leave it at room temperature. Wait for it to cool down properly, and once it’s set, you can store it in the fridge or freezer.
While making fudge is simple, it takes a long time for it to cool and set. So maybe you want a quick fix to set your fudge and think a freezer is a good option. However, you should avoid freezing or refrigerating fudge to set it.
When not appropriately set, the fudge’s texture will become grainy and inconsistent. Ice crystals may also form if you leave them in the freezer.
If your fudge is taking too long to set, it might mean that it is undercooked or something wrong with one of the ingredients. You should definitely look into your recipe and try again.
How To Tell if Fudge Has Gone Bad
It might be hard to tell if fudge has gone bad as there are usually no obvious signs. But like all food and perishables, fudge will eventually go bad. How soon your fudge goes bad also depends on how you store it: in your pantry, the fridge, or the freezer.
Here are some signs you can look out for to tell if your fudge has gone bad.
A sign that your fudge might have gone bad is when it begins to crumble. While the fudge may still be safe to eat, the taste and texture may not be all that pleasant.
Bad fudge may also begin to become extra dry and produce deep cracks. The color of bad fudge usually turns grey and ashy. This is a definite sign that it has gone bad, and you should discard it immediately.
If your fudge is soft and mushy, it’s usually because there’s too much moisture. Sometimes fudge can also begin to separate or have a layer of oil. These signs mean that your fudge has gone bad, and you should not consume it.