I love caramel. They’re one of my favorite candies, and if I’m feeling a little extra indulgent, I’ll treat myself to a small bag of them. But there’s one thing that really bothers me: how do you know when they’ve gone bad?
Do Caramels Go Bad?
Caramels are a type of candy made with butter and sugar. They’re usually flavored with vanilla and sometimes other spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice. Caramels have a high water content and contain no dairy products, which means that they won’t spoil like milk-based candies (like soft caramels) do if opened too soon after purchase.
How To Tell If Caramels Have Gone Bad
There are a few ways to tell if caramels have gone bad. This can be very important to know, as caramels have a high-fat content and can go rancid very quickly.
The first way is by smell. If the caramel has gone bad, it will have an acrid smell that is similar to burning plastic. These types of aromas can be detected from far away and should be avoided at all costs.
Another way to tell if your caramels have gone bad is by appearance. If the caramel has turned an off-color or developed an oily film on top of it, this is a sign that it has been contaminated with bacteria or mold and should not be eaten.
If you’re still unsure whether or not your caramels are good or not, ask yourself if they look, smell, and feel like they did when they were fresh out of the oven. If they don’t match up with what you remember them being like, then chances are that they aren’t going to taste very good either!
How Long Do Caramels Last?
Caramels can last for up to 12 months in the freezer and up to 6 months in the pantry. If you’re wondering how long caramels last, then it depends on whether they’re refrigerated or frozen.
- Refrigerator (up to 2 years): Caramels should be kept refrigerated at all times because they will spoil rapidly at room temperature and cause food poisoning if consumed.
- Freezer (up to 1 year): Frozen caramels will keep for about a year before going bad, but their quality deteriorates with time so it’s best not to keep them around beyond this point unless you plan on eating them soon after buying them!
How To Store Caramels
If you’re not planning to eat all of these caramels right away, it’s best to store them in a cool and dry place. Keep them tightly covered at all times—if they are exposed to too much moisture, they’ll turn out sticky or chewy instead of rich and creamy.
You can also store them in the refrigerator or freezer for long-term storage (up to three months). It’s important not to keep your caramels in the freezer for longer than three months as this will alter their texture and consistency.
Can You Freeze Caramels?
You can freeze caramels. Actually, you can freeze almost any candy, but especially caramels! The only thing to keep in mind is that the texture of the caramel will change slightly with freezing and thawing.
If you have some extra time on your hands and want to experiment with this method of storage, go ahead! It’s a fun way to store these delicious candies for longer periods of time without worrying about them getting moldy or going bad.
Just remember that if you plan on eating them after they’ve been frozen, they’ll need some extra time in the microwave or oven before serving.
How To Keep Caramels Fresh Longer
Caramels will last for quite a long time if it’s properly stored. Below are some tips to keep them fresh longer:
- Store your caramels in a cool, dry place.
- Avoid storing them in the fridge—the cold temperature will cause the caramel to harden and become brittle. It may also cause condensation to form on the wrappers or container, which can affect taste and texture.
- Keep them away from direct sunlight, as this will cause the wrappers to become sticky and unpalatable.
- Avoid storing them near heat sources (i.e., ovens), as this can melt their wrappers and make them unappetizing.
- Don’t put them in the freezer either; this is another method of preservation that may result in condensation forming on the wrappers or container, which can affect taste and texture when thawed out later down the road (or shortly thereafter).
Conclusion
Caramels are made with sugar, which means that they will eventually spoil if left out for too long. However, there are ways to keep them fresh longer so that you can enjoy the delicious flavor of caramel without worrying about it going bad too soon.
Kate has been in the food business for over 20 years. Worked as a cook at several buffets which include Old Country Buffet, Five Star Buffet, and Ichiban Buffet. Now, I’m mostly at home cooking for my family, caring for chickens and ducks, and tending the garden.
