Can You Freeze Fudge?
Got a lot of fudge on your hands? My complete step by step guide will walk you through the best way to freeze and thaw it!
Fudge is a dessert that can be enjoyed all year round. If you love to make a couple different types of fudge during the holiday season, I’ll show you how to freeze fudge without ruining so you can enjoy it all December long or all year long!
Fudge Storage Overview
Be sure to store the fudge in either an airtight container if storing at room temperature or in the fridge, or follow our recommendations below if storing in the freezer.
- Room temperature: 7-14 days
- Refrigerator: 3-4 weeks
- Freezer: 2-3 months
How long will fudge last?
Fudge has a long shelf life because it has a high sugar content. It’s chemistry. If the concentration of sugar reaches a certain level, all the water in the fudge is bound by sugar, leaving no space for microorganisms to grow.
Can I store leftover fudge at room temperature?
Homemade fudge, stored in a properly sealed container, can last for 2 weeks at room temperature. Be sure to store the container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. My thick chocolate fudge stays perfect at room temperature!
Can you freeze fudge?
Yes, you can freeze fudge! Our step by step post will guide you on how to freeze fudge without ruining it. Some of my favorite recipes to freeze are peanut butter fudge and oreo fudge.
It’s important to protect the fudge from moisture and air. Moisture and air is what cause ice crystals to form, causing freezer burn.
Make sure the fudge is completely set and at room temperature before slicing and/or storing. This rule applies to any toppings added to the fudge as well, like chocolate drizzle.
What you need to freeze fudge
- kitchen knife
- aluminium foil
- plastic wrap
- freezer bag or airtight container
- marker for labeling
How do you wrap fudge to freeze
Wrapping fudge to freeze is a simple 4 step process.
1. Wrap in plastic wrap
Wrap the fudge (whole block or cut into individual pieces) in plastic wrap.
If you are wrapping multiple individual pieces of cut fudge in a stack, place wax or parchment paper between each layer.
Storing individual portions is great if you want to thaw a few pieces at a time. On the other hand, freezing fudge in one large block reduces the surface air, which can prevent fudge from drying out.
2. Wrap in aluminum foil
Next, wrap the fudge in aluminum foil. This is to help prevent freezer burn. If you don’t have foil, you can wrap the fudge in a double layer of plastic wrap.
3. Place in freezer bag
Place the wrapped bundle of fudge in a freezer bag and remove as much air as possible. You can also store the fudge in an airtight freezer safe container.
Tip: Label and date the bag. Trust me! Especially if you’re freezing multiple types of fudge, they all look the same once wrapped up like a mummy and frozen!
4. Place in the freezer.
Place the fudge in the freezer. Do not store anything on top of the fudge while it fully freezes. It takes 6-12 hours for the fudge to fully freeze. Once it’s fully frozen, you can place other things on top of it.
How to thaw frozen fudge
Place the entire plastic bag in the refrigerator to thaw. If you don’t want to thaw all of the fudge at one time, place the desired portion that you want to thaw in a plastic bag and place in the fridge.
It will take the fudge about 2-3 hours to thaw. Some fudge may take longer, depending on the thickness.
Once thawed, unwrap the fudge and slice into squares if needed.
Tip: Do not thaw frozen fudge in the microwave.
How long does frozen fudge last?
Properly stored fudge can last for 2 to 3 months in the freezer. I’ll admit it though, I’ve eaten mint chocolate fudge that was frozen for 6 months and it was still delicious!
Not all fudge toppings freeze the same
Nuts pressed into the top of fudge may fall off during the freezing / thawing process. To avoid this you can mix the nuts fully into the fudge while making it.
Same applies to marshmallows, mix those directly into the fudge. When making our rocky road fudge, be sure to mix the peanuts and marshmallows into the fudge for best freezing results.
Dried fruits freeze well, but may lose some of their flavor during the freezing / thawing process. I do not recommend freezing fudge that uses fresh fruit. Fresh fruit contains a lot of water and can cause texture changes during the freezing / thawing process.
Frequently asked questions
Yes! This is a very common ingredient in homemade fudge and it freezes well.
Put the fudge in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
The sudden change in temperature from the freezer to room temperature can cause texture changes in fudge. Therefore, it’s not recommended to thaw fudge at room temperature. Be sure to place frozen fudge in the refrigerator to thaw.
How do you know if fudge has gone bad?
Here are 5 signs that your fudge has gone bad.
- Mold. Hard nope.
- Texture or color changes. If the fudge is gritty, chalky, or changed colors, toss it out.
- Deep cracks. This means the fudge has dried out and no one wants dry fudge.
- Slimy or cloudy coating. If the top of the fudge is slimy or cloudy, to the trash!
- Smell. Don’t eat the fudge if it smells off.
Thank you for the freezing fudge info! It’s well explained and easy to follow! Even I shouldn’t foul this method up! Plz keep all the handy info. coming and take care!
Thanks for all this important info about freezing fudge. I make about 6 different types of fudge around the holidays. Now I can make earlier and no one will ever know. Thanks