#Can You Freeze Leftover Halloween Candy for Next Year? – LifeSavvy

Having an overabundance of Halloween candy after a shortage of trick-or-treaters can make for a disappointing night. So what’s one to do with all these extra goodies?

Throwing things in the trash can feel like money waste, especially when we’re talking about over-priced candy around this spooky season. No, you don’t have to eat it all either. Freezing your candy is a great frugal solution for all sorts of edible treats. Let’s take a look at this frosty candy fix (and when it’s best to avoid it).

How to Store Leftover Halloween Candy

Seal your candy using an airtight container, freezer bag, or heavy-duty freezer wrap—if you want to go all out you could even vacuum seal the candy. Be sure to label your airtight container with the date and type of candy you are freezing. It’s also good practice to add an expiration date so you can easily track when it needs to get dumped.

Each type of candy has its specific guidelines for storing. Follow the recommendations below for frighteningly fresh results.

Shelf Life for Various Candies

According to the National Confections Association, many different types of candies do well as long as they’re wrapped appropriately and stored in a cool, dry place. The NCA also says you should avoid freezing candy with fruits and nuts. Here’s are a few recommendations for freezing your candy.

Dark Chocolate: Freezing dark chocolate doesn’t necessarily extend the shelf life, but if you live somewhere warm, it’s a good option. As long as it’s sealed properly, you can keep it for up to two years. But do you really think you can store it away for years without indulging in a few bites?

Milk and White Chocolate: This type of chocolate will last up to a year in the freezer or an airtight container at room temperature.

Gummy Candy: As long as you properly seal and store gummies, they will last up to twelve months in the freezer for the best quality.

Hard Candies: Hard Candies will keep their best quality for up to one year in the freezer.

Caramel Candies: Caramel candies should be sealed very well and kept away from moisture. If stored properly, they taste best when frozen no longer than twelve months.

If you aren’t a fan of the freezer, no worries, there’s plenty you can do with leftover Halloween candy. Try baking it into a fun dessert or mix it in with a Chex mix, trail mix. However, if your goal is to stay away from the extra calories, bring those goodies into the office and let everyone take them off your hands!