Generally, Gingerbread can last up to 12 months with proper storage. Based on the type of gingerbread, there are different expiration dates. Here are the 3 different types of gingerbread and their expiration.
- Fresh gingerbread dough – with standard refrigeration and proper wrapping, fresh gingerbread dough can last up to 7 days. If you freeze fresh gingerbread dough and store properly, it will last up to 12 months in the freezer.
- Pre made gingerbread – if you open pre-made gingerbread from a package and store it properly in the refrigerator, it will last about 7 days. If pre-made gingerbread is stored in the freezer, it can last up to 10 months. But, is not advised to eat because of poor taste and texture.
- Gingerbread houses – Most store bought gingerbread house kits, unopened, have a shelf life of 12 months if placed in the freezer. Once opened and decorated, a gingerbread house has about a month before it becomes uneatable. Please remember, if you leave a gingerbread house out as decor, it can collect dust and attract ants. Its recommended to put any gingerbread house in a plastic container.
Lastly, most gingerbread houses that are left out during Thanksgiving and Christmas should not be eaten. Not that they can be harmful, but the stale gingerbread and candy would not be enjoyable.
How can you tell if gingerbread has expired?
There are four ways to tell if your gingerbread has expired.
- Expired gingerbread is extremely hard and no longer edible.
- The smell of the gingerbread is faint compared to typical gingerbread.
- Visually, gingerbread becomes discolored, changing to a lighter brown.
- Lastly, if there is the presence of mold, the gingerbread is expired and should be thrown away.
How to store your gingerbread properly
Storing gingerbread is easy, just follow these steps:
- Wrap your gingerbread in saran, plastic wrap or tin foil. Double wrap your gingerbread to ensure its maximum freshness.
- Place your gingerbread in a tin or air tight plastic container. You can even use a
- Mark your container with the current date and its contents.
- Place in a refrigerator or freezer, all depending on when you will like to eat your gingerbread. A freezer will be the best option if you will not use the gingerbread for more than a week.
