Who doesn’t love the idea of extending the shelf-life of chocolate? No matter which brand of chocolate you enjoy or how you tend to use it, it’s helpful to learn the best ways of preserving it so you don’t have to worry about it going bad.
Can You Freeze Chocolate?
Yes, you can freeze chocolate for up to 12 months. Before freezing chocolate, you need to refrigerate it for 24 hours and wrap it tightly so it doesn’t take on any additional odours in the freezer. It will then be fine in the freezer for up to a year.
Do Does Chocolate freeze well? Yes
Can you refreeze Chocolate? Yes
How to Freeze Chocolate
This is the method I use for freezing a block of chocolate. It will work for any sized chocolate you have, however:
- Place in the Fridge
You will need to refrigerate the chocolate that you plan to freeze for approximately 24 hours before you freeze it.
- Wrap Well
Whether you’re freezing a whole bar or individual portions of chocolate, you should wrap it well in cling film before placing it in the freezer.
- Place in an Airtight Container
After wrapping your chocolate, lie it in an airtight container and seal. - Label and Freeze
Make a note of the date that you purchased the chocolate, as well as its suggested use-by date. Remember, you can freeze chocolate for around twelve months.
Yes, melted chocolate can be frozen but remember it will simply turn solid when frozen negating any melting you previously did. It might just be better to freeze solid chocolate blocks.
Yes, chocolate candy can be frozen for longer storage. Make sure to wrap it properly in plastic wrap or put it in airtight containers to prevent freezer burn. Thaw slowly at room temperature for the best results.
You can freeze chocolate milk, but it may separate upon thawing due to the fat content. However, a good shake or stir should help it regain its original consistency.
How Long Can You Freeze Chocolate?
You can freeze chocolate for around 12 months.
This is a general rule of thumb, and some sources say that you can keep some types of chocolate (such as dark) in the freezer for up to two years.
Ultimately, you should freeze chocolate for as long as you’re comfortable with it, but for best results, use it within a year.
Generally, chocolate will last for around 3 to 6 months in the fridge when wrapped tightly in cling film to protect it from other odours in the fridge.
How Do You Defrost Chocolate?
Remember, if you shock chocolate with a drastic temperature change, it can significantly affect its texture. Therefore, the best way to defrost chocolate is in the fridge.
Once it has thawed, you can then leave it to stand at room temperature or eat it directly from the fridge, whichever you prefer.
Can You Refreeze Chocolate?
Ultimately, there’s nothing wrong with freezing chocolate more than once.
But from a quality control perspective, we wouldn’t recommend it.
Due to the crystallisation and ‘fat bloom’ already introduced, freezing chocolate more than once is likely to significantly alter both its taste and temperature.
If you’re concerned about wastage, freeze your chocolate in smaller portions and remove only what you need at any given time.
Does Chocolate Freeze Well?
Chocolate has a relatively long shelf life when stored correctly in a cool, dry place or in the fridge, so you don’t necessarily have to freeze it.
Shop-bought chocolate bars have a use-by date on the packaging and should generally be used within nine months.
If you can resist the temptation and don’t end up eating your chocolate before, freezing it will extend its shelf life to up to a year and is a decent option if you aren’t worried about a slight change in texture.
I tend to find that it’s only really worth freezing cooking chocolate. Most chocolate bars will keep for long enough that I have plenty of time to eat them before they bloom or go off.
Not a lot! It will turn more solid, as with more foods in the freezer. During the thawing process, you may find that it blooms white in patches.
Sources
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