How Long Does Fudge Last, And Can You Freeze It?

Fudge is a sweet, sugary treat that can be made in a variety of flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, and peanut butter. It has a much softer texture than chocolate, though chocolate fudge and solid chocolate have similar tastes. Rumor has it that fudge was invented in the United States back in the late 1800s when a baker accidentally ruined what was supposed to be a batch of caramels — but it was certainly a happy accident.

Because fudge has just three basic ingredients, it's easy to whip up a batch of fudge at home. All you need is sugar, butter, and milk (though you can include one of the aforementioned flavor elements, too). And once you make it, make sure to store it well-wrapped at room temperature, where it will keep for up to three weeks. 

If you find you can't eat it all within that time, there's good news. Fudge is easy to freeze, and frozen fudge will last for up to three months.

When it comes to storing fudge, there are a few dos and don'ts that you'll want to be mindful of. It's best stored at room temperature; keeping it refrigerated will cause it to lose moisture, leaving you with a dry, unappealing dessert. 

However, fudge can also become hard as a rock if it's exposed to air for too long, so you'll want to tightly wrap it in wax paper to protect it from the elements. When it's wrapped well and stored at room temperature, it has a lengthy shelf life of two to three weeks, though some outlets suggest it will be freshest for up to two.

If you make too large of a batch or want to make fudge ahead of time, you can freeze it, and the process is almost no different from storing it at room temperature. Once you wrap it in wax paper, just wrap it in a layer of tin foil, then store it in air-tight, freezer-friendly container for up to three months. When you're ready to use it, pop it in the refrigerator the night before to let it thaw slowly.

If you're looking for an easy homemade dessert, fudge is here for you. 

Though you only need three ingredients, recipe developer Catherine Brookes adds sweetened condensed milk to her easy fudge recipe for a fourth ingredient and swaps the regular sugar out for brown sugar. The result is a decadently sweet treat that comes together in minutes, though you'll have to let it sit for several hours to firm into the fudgy texture we know and love.

All you need is 14 ounces of sweetened condensed milk, a half-cup of whole milk, a half-cup of unsalted butter, plus two cups of brown sugar. Simply add everything to a pot, let the sugar and butter dissolve, then bring it to a boil and stir for 15 minutes. From there, let it cool for five minutes, then add it to a stand mixer and beat it on medium for another five minutes. Transfer it to a greased 8x8 baking dish, and let it sit at room temperature for six hours.