Whenever I have a craving for some delicious chocolate or any sweet fix, fudge is one of my favorites. Fudge is so creamy, rich, chocolaty, and smooth that a single piece gives so much satisfaction. It is one of the easiest crowd-pleasing desserts and I hope you all are a fan of its taste too. This is the reason most of us rarely underproduce it. Many times, we end up with a lot of uneaten fudge to be dealt with. So, here the question arises, can you freeze fudge?
Can you freeze fudge? The answer is absolutely yes, you just have to do it the right way. If you freeze it precisely, then it will taste the same for a long time. Hence, I am here to help you out by giving you a step by step guide regarding freezing, preserving, as well as thawing fudge.
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Can Fudge Be Frozen And Preserved?
Do you have a huge tray of uneaten fudge and you are worried about it going bad. Well, we have a piece of good news for you. You can certainly freeze the fudge and make it last for a long period. If you wrap it and pack it correctly, then it will not dry out in the freezer and doesn’t lose its taste.
The shelf life of fudge is long. It usually contains a high sugar content which makes it inhabitable for most of the bacteria as well as molds. It even makes it last longer than many other typical desserts.
If we keep the fudge in an airtight container at room temperature then it can last 7 to 14 days. If we keep it in the refrigerator, its shelf life can increase up to 3 to 4 weeks. But, if we freeze it, then it can last for 3 to 6 months.
So, without further ado, let’s learn how to freeze fudge.
How To Freeze Fudge?
Storing and preserving fudge in the freezer is easier than you can imagine. All you to take care of is properly packing it. So, let’s take a look at the step by step instructions on freezing and storing fudge.
Step 1- Cut The Fudge In Small Individual Pieces
When you are preparing to freeze the fudge, the first step that you should perform is to divide it into small pieces. Making small blocks of fudge is much better than freezing the entire fudge. This approach makes it easier to defrost it later on.
Afterwards, whenever you want to have some fudge, you can simply take out one or more pieces, as per your requirement, from the frozen fudge and enjoy.
However, if you are planning to use the entire fudge at once, then you don’t need to perform this step and skip it.
Step- 2- Wrapping Up The Pieces
Wrapping and packing the fudge pieces is the most important part of the entire freezing process. So, take your time and do this step in a proper manner. This step will ensure that the moisture properly locks in and keeps the fudge from becoming dry when frozen. I prefer to first wrap the pieces in wax paper and then, wrap it again with cling wrap. You can also use a freezer bag for packing. But, make sure to properly squeeze out the air before zipping the bag shut.
Step-3- Select The Right Container
Once you are done with the wrapping, it’s time for you to transfer the wrapped pieces into a container. Pick a container that is freezer-safe so that your fudge remains safe while frozen. You can also make use of heavy-duty freezer bags for this purpose. Always ensure that whichever container you choose, it should be airtight.
Step-4- Seal And Freeze
After putting the wrapped pieces into a container, all you have to do is to seal the container properly, label and date it, and then, freeze it. If you are using a bag, then try to squeeze out as much air as possible before putting it inside the freezer.
That’s it, your fudge freezing process is complete.
Important Points To Keep In Mind While Freezing Fudge
- While prepping to store your fudge in the freezer, make sure that it is at room temperature or cold.
- The containers or plastic bags that you are using to store the fudge must be airtight. This ensures the maintenance of the consistency of the fudge. It also prevents any crystal formation. In addition to this, putting fudge in an airtight container reduces the chances of freezer burn (drying). For better storage, you can even wrap the fudge in wax papers because it can retain the moisture lost while freezing.
- Avoid using a container that can steal or contribute some weird flavor to your fudge. For example, using a cardboard container is not a good decision. It can absorb the moisture and can also add a nasty aroma to the fudge.
- While trying to consolidate space, many people stack the fudge. Well, this is not a good idea. It can result in different layers of fudge sticking together when thawed. So, the better option is to put wax paper in between each layer of fudge.
- It is wise to double wrap the fudge pieces to lock-in the sweetness and goodness for a long period.
- Avoid storing the fudge near the freezer door as the temperature fluctuates there. It can cause the fudge to rot. Hence, it will be better to store it at the bottom or inner areas of the freezer.
- If the fudge is denser, it will freeze better than the lighter one. So, if you are planning to freeze the fudge, keep it a bit dense.
- I also recommend not to thaw and refreeze the fudge repeatedly. It will result in flavor loss as well as unattractive texture too. That’s why it is better to cut the fudge in small portions before storing it so you can take out only that much quantity which you need.
Does All Fudge Ingredients Freeze The Same?
The basic ingredients of fudge, like milk, sugar, and cocoa, hold up pretty good when you freeze them. However, the texture and flavor change more quickly when you add some extra ingredients to it. Let’s learn about some of these ingredients:
- Milk: Milk is a basic ingredient of fudge. However, depending on the type of mil that we use, its fat starts separating itself from water parts. It does not have much of an effect on the flavor. But, you can see a change in the texture of the fudge when you defrost it.
- Sugar: Another basic ingredient of fudge is sugar. As sugar is hygroscopic, over time some moisture pockets can form in the fudge. But, it does not have a noticeable effect on the texture of the fudge.
- Spices: If you add some spices to your fudge, then there are chances that they intensify a little bit when frozen. The expansion and contraction of spices when frozen and thawed out might be the cause of it. When your frozen dessert is thawed out, the spices may contract more than usual. This can result in the creation of some high-density spice areas.
- Nuts: Nuts hold up pretty well when you add them to fudge. But, do remember that if you sprinkle them on the top then they will simply fall off when frozen. So, if you are planning to freeze your fudge, it is better to mix the nuts into the mixture thoroughly before freezing. Another option is to add the nuts over the surface after thawing.
- Fruits: Many people like to add dried fruits or fresh fruits to the fudge. Well, dried fruits can hold up nice but they might lose their flavor when frozen. On the other hand, fresh fruits have a water content in them. Hence, when you freeze and thaw the fudge, the high water content in fruits can lead to texture change.
How To Thaw/Defrost Fudge?
Don’t ever defrost the fudge at room temperature. A sudden and drastic change in the temperature can negatively affect the texture as well as flavor. So, I recommend refrigerating the fudge to thaw. While doing so, do not remove the wrapping and keep it intact. This will ensure that the production of moisture, during thawing, remains on the covering and does not affect the texture of your sweet. Once defrosted, take the fudge out and let it rest at room temperature. Take the fudge out 10 minutes to 2 hours (depending on the size of the piece) before you are ready to serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions that people have in mind about fudge storage.
Can you freeze homemade fudge?
Yes, you can freeze your homemade fudge by just following few simple storage steps. In this, wrapping plays an important role, so wrap the fudge properly in plastic or wax wrap. Use an airtight freezer container or plastic bag to put the wrapped pieces. Then, store the container on the inner side of the freezer. In addition to this, remove all the air from the container and plastic bag before freezing to prevent crystals from forming.
Can you freeze peanut butter fudge?
Peanut butter fudge is delicious. It is sweet with some salty touch, peanut undertones, and soft as well as creamy, but still sturdy. So, if you want to freeze your peanut butter fudge to enjoy it later on, then that is possible. For good results, allow the fudge to cool after cooking. Then cut it into small portions and wrap them individually using a cling wrap. Put the pieces in an airtight container and freeze them for months. At the time of thawing, simply place the pieces at room temperature for several hours before serving.
Can you freeze chocolate fudge?
Yes, you can freeze the chocolate fudge, like any other fudge that we have already discussed.
Can you freeze fantasy fudge?
You can increase the shelf life of fantasy fudge by refrigerating or freezing it. In a refrigerator, it can last for 3-4 weeks. You can simply freeze the fantasy fudge to make it last for 3 to 6 months. All you have to do is follow the steps that we have discussed in the article. Just make sure to wrap the fudge properly and freeze it in an airtight container to avoid drying out.
Can you freeze fudge brownies?
Brownies can be frozen like any other baked goods. However, some brownies thaw better than other types of brownies. If your recipe includes ingredients like jam filling or cream cheese swirl, then these type of dairy and liquid-based ingredients can sweat while thawing. Moisture from such brownies can affect the texture and appearance of the brownie, but not its flavor. Generally, you can easily freeze fudge brownies for 3 months.
Can you freeze fudge sauce?
As we all know, a dairy-based recipe can be stored in the refrigerator. If refrigerated in an airtight container the fudge sauce can last for up to 2 weeks. You also have the option to freeze it to increase its shelf life even more. Simply freeze it in the airtight container. When you want to use it, take it out from freeze and keep it at room temperature. Then, heat it in a saucepan at medium to low flame. You can add some extra heavy cream to it if needed.
Can you freeze fudge pie?
Yes, you can freeze fudge pie, but you need to protect it from freezer burn and off-odors of other products kept in the freezer. For freezing it perfectly, firstly cool the cooked pie. Then, wrap it in plastic wrap and place the pie in a freezer bag. Then, simply put it in a freezer after squeezing all the air out of the freezer bag.
Conclusion
I hope, you find this article helpful. Most people would agree that fudge is one of the best fixes for a sweet craving. It is smooth and creamy which makes everyone’s mouth water. And you can enjoy this delicious treat anytime you want by simply freezing it. If you store fudge in the right manner (just as we discussed), then you can preserve its flavors for a long time and have a taste of your favorite sweet whenever you want.