Freezing candy

**jas** · 04-07-2010, 08:17 AM

My ds is getting married next year and one of the things that is going to be at the reception is a candy/cookie bar. It is one of the things that I am kind of in charge of (I want to do it) I have plenty of time to scout yard sales and thrift stores for the jars. There are a few apothecary jars I want to use that I will buy new at Michaels with coupons.

What I am really interested in is when I find candy on sale like right now after the holidays how long do you think I could freeze it or seal a meal it with oxygen absorbers.

Chocolate
soft candy

I think I will mainly wait till closer to the event and buy most then, but if I come across a good deal I don't want to pass it up. It is hard to change your shopping habits. I usually buy and store most of my stuff.

Thanks!

**Josephhgoins** · 04-07-2010, 08:28 AM

if it were me, this would be one of the times I would let some of my frugality go and not risk it. Choc can absorb odors pretty easily and even being sealed in plastic it is possible that something (even the plastic smell itself) can leach in.

Maybe you can save more in other areas to make up the difference?

I will gladly send you any candy coupons that are good for a year that I have/find to you.

**Jenny WC** · 04-07-2010, 10:29 AM

From the time I can remember my grandmother has got candy when it was on sale and put it in the freezer. Then she would pull it out when she needed it. She said it tasted the same. I have to say there was a taste difference to me. Also the coloring never looked the same as before it was frozen. Just my opinion. I would research online if there is somewhere you can buy the candy at more of a wholesale price??

**jas** · 04-07-2010, 10:35 AM

I hear you all. My thoughts were leaning that way too. I guess I am getting excited and want to get moving on it. I will hold off on any more till closer to the date of the wedding. I am sure that I can start a few months ahead when that time comes.

I did find a site that has the time certain candy will keep just in its regular package. My original question was about how I could prolong that. The fresher the better. I have priced most of the candy at Sams and a few things on line. I will just set aside the cash and when it is time to buy I will have it ready.

I can at least scour garage sales and thrift stores for the jars!

**Contrary Housewife** · 04-07-2010, 10:59 AM

Chocolate discolors with age, the oils in it move around and you get that whitish coating, but the candy itself is fine. It's probably not something you'd want to serve at a wedding though.

Chocolate with candy coating, like M&Ms and mini easter eggs keeps very well in the freezer. I have kept them upwards of a year. Kisses seem to keep well, too.

Have not tried to store soft candies.

**NewLeaf** · 04-07-2010, 11:48 AM

I once froze 12 boxes of chocolate covered cherries for a year in their boxes. They were perfectly fine. I found them on sale for 10 cents/box.

**jas** · 04-07-2010, 04:25 PM

Of the candy that I already did purchase I have put them in canning jars and will put in oxygen absorbers for now.

These are the types I have.

smarties,
sixlets (little chocolate balls in similar pkg to smarties)
good and plenty
small reeses cups (got after this holiday they came in pink-one of the brides colors)
Hersheys kisses in the pale fall colors.

I will store what I have for now and hope I don't eat it.

There are other non-food type project to work on.

**frugalfranny** · 04-08-2010, 01:22 AM

I agree with the others about freezing the stuff for that long...don't think I would chance it.

But........when (month) is she getting married?..........anyway you can hit some candy sales a month before the wedding?.........is it close to any 'heavy candy' holiday?

I was out today and saw that our Easter Candy is just now going on sale..........and not all of it is bunnies or peeps...

Rite Aid had the Lindt Bars on sale.........and I weakened! Not something you would want for a candy at a wedding.........but if you can find those Lindt truffles on sale (individually wrapped).........they are DIVINE!!! In fact, if you have them at the wedding.............I will be there!!! Don't buy them early..........they DO turn white when frozen......and doesn't have to be for very long either.......been there, done that!

**jas** · 04-08-2010, 08:28 AM

The wedding will be in July of 2011. I realize now that I was very excited to get started on this. I think by next year this time when there is a lot on sale I could take advantage of it then. There will only be three months to store any candy then.
Those Lindt truffles are wonderful! I am going to be making these things called oreo truffles which are very good too.

I guess I need to turn my attention to a larger more costly part which will be drinks. I know I can store that kind of stuff much longer than candy for sure. I see a new post coming on.

**frugalfranny** · 04-08-2010, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by jas

The wedding will be in July of 2011. I realize now that I was very excited to get started on this.

I guess I need to turn my attention to a larger more costly part which will be drinks. I know I can store that kind of stuff much longer than candy for sure.

Be careful and watch the dates on the drinks too. They DO expire and will taste 'different' if not strange when past the expiration date. I have also had some of the carbonated ones (in cans) either leak........or just go flat!!

With the wedding over a year away.....maybe just save money and hit the sales for both drinks and candy after Xmas and Valentines........watching the dates on all. After Valentine's should be great for getting individual wrapped hearts and etc. Walgren's ---Rite-Aid and Target are good for this......maybe F Meyer (don't shop there much) GOOD LUCK!!

In my experience---when they are having a sale on soda ---the exp. date is not very far off. Just bought some this week.........one 12 pack was a July Exp. date..........the others were Nov. and Dec. Used to be that it could be a year out........not any more!

**craftypam** · 04-08-2010, 06:26 PM

They never used to put expiration dates on pop until a few years ago. I have had pop past the expiration date and it was fine. I do agree that a year in advance is too far. If you freeze chocolate it will be fine. I also think it is a good idea to go the day after Christmas and Valentines Day and buy the chocolate. I have done that many times.

**jas** · 04-08-2010, 06:36 PM

Yep just looked up how long soda will last online I will just put the money aside and wait for that too. It would not save me any money to buy it too soon and then it be bad. A few months ahead should be okay.

I was at the store today and soda was on sale BoGo and I was thinking hey I will need this in the future, but it is too long to store it. I just have use restraint.

**frugalfranny** · 04-09-2010, 01:09 AM

Originally Posted by jas

I just have use restraint.

Hey.........it just means that your whole heart is into this...........that is a good thing.

Every time you think about it and get all excited.....just stick some money away.......and that will be your 'good deed' for that item for the day!

The Lindt Chocolate doesn't turn white when you freeze it but the 'truffle' part separates.........so you have this hard shell chocolate over this 'ball' of stuff............you KNOW it is not fresh when eating it.