How Long Is Halloween Candy Good For?
Updated: Dec. 05, 2023
Love to hoard treats after Halloween? Us, too. So how long is Halloween candy good for? It depends on the type of candy. Here are some guidelines to keep you safe, not spooked.
When I was growing up, my parents were strict about candy consumption. So when I came home with a pillowcase full of candy after trick-or-treating, I hoarded the candy, eking it out little by little for months afterward. I never stopped to wonder…wait, how long is Halloween candy good for?
Does Candy Expire?
Yep, candy does expire, but the good news is that most types of candy keep well for six months or more. Also, in general, the quality will decline before the candy truly expires or becomes unsafe. Most candies have low moisture content paired with high levels of sugar, which is a preservative.
How Long Does Halloween Candy Last?
Here’s a guide by type. Note that this is for unopened candy. Once candy is open, try to eat it within a few months, regardless of type. And if you don’t think you can finish the candy within a few months, check out these recipes that use leftover Halloween candy.
6 to 9 Months
Peanut butter cups, caramels, gum and candy corn. Sensing a theme? Super soft, chewy candies, especially sticky ones, can go bad faster than others.
8 to 10 Months
Soft chocolates, like white and milk chocolate.
Up to a Year
Jelly beans and other jelly candies, and hard candies.
Up to 2 Years
Dark chocolate. This bitter treat keeps very well.
Pro tip: You may see a white “dust” on the chocolate bar. That’s not mold, but “bloom,” which is caused by moisture evaporating from the chocolate. It’s still safe to eat! If the chocolate tastes very dry or the texture has changed dramatically, or if it just doesn’t taste good, those are signs to toss the bar.
How to Store Candy
Whenever possible, store candy in its original sealed wrapper. Once it’s opened, move the candy to a sealed jar or container, or fasten the original packaging with a clip. Keep the candy in a cool, dark place, like a cupboard, pantry or even the basement.
Spooky Homemade Halloween Treats
Witches' BroomsPair these edible mini brooms with Witches’ Brew for a spellbinding combination. The only ingredients you need here are pretzel rods and licorice. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Tombstone TreatsMy brother loves Rice Krispies squares, and my mom loves sugar cookies. I came up with a cute Halloween dessert they'd both like.
Halloween Peanut Spider CookiesThese cute spider cookies are so easy. They'll be the star at your next Halloween party! —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cake EyeballsCustomize these cake balls to your liking with the flavors of your choice. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Spiced Chocolate TrufflesI make truffles for family events and gift-giving. Someone once asked me to add pumpkin spice, and now my recipe is legendary. —Gerry Cofta, Milwaukee, WI
Spooky Gelatin Bubble CupcakesIt's so much fun to make these Halloween desserts! Bubbles can be made weeks ahead. Turn them into orange pumpkins, multi-colored balloons -- whatever! —Sarah Farmer, Taste of Home Culinary Director
Witches’ FingersYou don't need a cauldron to conjure these frightening fingers. They're a sweet-and-salty treat that's spooky easy to make. —Beth Tomkiw, Chief Content Officer, Taste of Home
Meringue BonesThis unique treatment for meringue travels well, too! You will certainly get requests for the recipe, and folks will be surprised at how simple it is! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Day of the Dead CookiesI love making this intricate Halloween dessert. Using candies, food coloring and a wild imagination, try your hand at this Day of the Dead cookie decoration. —Kristine Fossmeyer, Huntley, Illinois
Brownie Haunted HouseYou don’t have to worry about getting this spooky Halloween dessert to stand upright. These fudgy brownies are the perfect canvas for creating a silly haunted house. Trick-or-treaters beware! —Sarah Farmer, Greenfield, Wisconsin
Kiss from a Vampire CookiesRaspberry jam eerily oozes from these soft butter cookies. One bite, and you'll have a hard time stopping! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Scary Hairy Caramel ApplesThis is a cute and tasty version of a caramel apple. It's a perfect Halloween dessert. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan
Halloween Monster CookiesDon't be surprised if all the monsters come out of hiding when you assemble this fun and easy Halloween dessert. My kids and I made them for their classroom Halloween party one year. Their classmates loved them, and it's now a tradition to make them every year. —Dina Crowell, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Ghost Shortbread CookiesPac-Man was my favorite video game when I was growing up. For a party, I decided to get creative and shape my go-to sugar cookies into the ghosts from the game. —Jamie S, Regina, Saskatchewan
Brainy CakeMy Godson and I made this Halloween dessert after fun day at the science museum. We've made it several times now, and we get a kick out of experimenting with the frosting colors. —Faith Cromwell, San Francisco, California
Halloween Sugar CookiesI've been making these Halloween sugar cookies for about 40 years—first for my children and now my grandchildren and all their friends, too. I make about 20 trays a year to give away to trick-or-treaters. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Martian MarshmallowsIf you have any leftovers of this Halloween dessert, wrap them in cellophane and hand them out as favors. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Graveyard CakeUnderneath tasty tombstones, ghosts, pumpkins, worms and soil that make this dessert a conversation piece, you'll find a delectable chocolate cake made from scratch in a few simple steps. It's a recipe I use year-round with different frostings. —Vicki Schlechter, Davis, California
Halloween Chocolate Cookie PopsOur children look forward to making these cute cookies each year. They've become experts at making silly faces with little candies.
Ghostly Cupcake ConesTop peanut buttery cupcakes with your favorite frosting and spirited faces to make these frightfully ghostly treats. They’ll vanish into thin air before you know it! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Originally Published: September 25, 2019
