How Long Will Leftover Halloween Candy Last In Iowa And Illinois?

If you loaded up on Halloween candy, you'll probably have at least a few leftovers.

Next week is Halloween. Somehow, it's that time already. As if we haven't been seeing Halloween candy and decor in stores since the 4th of July.

Research shows the best time to get Halloween candy is the week of Halloween if you want the best prices but the selection will be lower by then. If you did get a bag of Halloween candy as soon as they hit the shelves in August, how long will it last?

Sweet Expiration Dates

Chocolates, nougat, caramels, hard candy, waxy textures, the list of candy options goes on. And with that, there are different expiration dates on all of it. So here's what those are, according to Eater:

• Hard candies: Until Christ's next coming (essentially)
• Marshmallows: a couple of months if they're unopened and kept in the pantry
• Candy corn (which is a great candy, I will not stand for slander): 9 months, if it's kept sealed
• Caramel & nougats: 6 months to a year if stored at room temperature
• Gummy & chewy: 6-9 months
• Chocolate (milk & white): 8-10 months
• Chocolate (dark): 1-2 years (it lasts longer because of higher cocoa content)

One of the best practices is, after you've snacked through a few candies, put the leftover Halloween candy in the freezer, as long as it doesn't contain fruit or nuts.

Watch out for 'chocolate bloom', a white hazy coating on chocolate, and any candy that's off-color or smells weird.

Will leftover candy last long enough to carry you through to Valentine's Day? It's decidedly pushing it but if you loaded up on hard candies and stored chocolates right, you may be in luck.