Exactly how long can you make chocolates in advance?

by Kathleen
(Union, NJ, USA)

I searched the site and found information on how long in advance you can make chocolates. You had mentioned that you can make chocolate months in advance, but I was wondering, how many months?

I am making favors for my wedding next June (9 months away!), and I am going to have to make about 1,000 molded chocolates (4 per guest).


I am going to use tempered chocolate, magnetic molds, transfer sheets, and possibly store-bought caramel (most likely they will be just plain chocolate, though).


I want to make them as far in advance as possible since there are so many I have to make. How many months in advance do you think I can start them?


Thank you for your help!
Kathleen

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Hi Kathleen,

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I remember vividly the lead up to my own wedding almost 20 years ago and all the excitement involved in the planning and preparation. Enjoy every moment of it!


I think it's really great that you are going to make your own chocolate wedding favors. It's a lovely touch.


The length of time for storage depends on the type of candy you end up making. Because you plan to make plain molded chocolates, they should store really well.


How do you plan to store them? Room temperature in a climate controlled environment? That's probably going to yield the best long term results if that's a possibility.


Plain molded chocolates, particularly chocolate that has been tempered would probably keep the full 9 months. But to be honest with you, I wouldn't want to chance it.


Even though my head tells me that the chocolate should be fine, my nerves aren't that strong. :) I probably wouldn't want to chance more than 3-4 months in advance.


I haven't deliberately stored chocolate longer than that. How about the rest of you? Any advice for Kathleen based on your own personal chocolate storage experience?

~Angie