Hi there,
Back in the day when I first started making cake pops, I purchased a lot of candy melts (like A LOT), not realizing that they go bad. They taste fine but don't melt the way they should. Does anyone have any suggestions for what I can do with them? Again, they taste fine, they just don't melt properly. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!
They just don't get to the consistency that they used to. It stays thick no matter how much I heat or stir. I tried mixing in paramount crystals and it helps some but it still doesn't get as melty as it should be :-[
A
moochified~~I did the same thing early on. Say goodbye to the unused candy melts and throw them away.
I purchased a LOT of Wilton candy melts from a Michaels craft store. Later on, like you, I found out about the shelf life of candy melts. I threw away about $40 of candy melts.
If the melts are purchased in a craft store, they may have already lost 2-5 months of shelf life (manufacture date to warehouse to order point in a craft store). Then, how long are the candy melts at the store until they are actually sold to a consumer?
In my personal opinion, Wilton tries to disguise the expiration date of their candy melts by utilizing a complex code instead of a "manufactured on" date.
http://www.pamspartyandpracticaltips.com/2014/08/how-to-know-if-your-wilton-candy-melts.html
AYou can try adding just a few drops of oil in the candy melts to thin it out. It works for me. The first bag I bought was still good (the "best before" date was ok) but they did'nt melt properly. I found this trick on the internet (maybe here, I don't remember!)
They just don't get to the consistency that they used to. It stays thick no matter how much I heat or stir. I tried mixing in paramount crystals and it helps some but it still doesn't get as melty as it should be :-[
you are likely over heating the candy and scorching it...if so, they're pretty much a goner.
heat candy slowly until it has partially melted, then slowly stir to melt the rest, then begin adding the paramount crystals. candy and bowl should never feel hot, only warm.
I rarely use Wilton candy melts all by themselves; the flavor is just too strong. But when I need dark colors, I mix candy melts with Plymouth Pantry almond bark, then add oil-based candy coloring if needed to intensify the shade. I prefer to use just the almond bark and candy colors. Almond bark outperforms Wilton candy melts in that the coating sets fast, smooth, and thin. Plus, almond bark flavoring is light, which lets the flavor of the cake itself come through.
To store used melted candy, spread it out thin on parchment, let dry, crumble into flakes, place in an airtight container, and store container in a cool, dry place. Properly stored candy will keep for a long time.
Eat them? 
LOOOOL 
Quote:
moochified~~I did the same thing early on. Say goodbye to the unused candy melts and throw them away.
I purchased a LOT of Wilton candy melts from a Michaels craft store. Later on, like you, I found out about the shelf life of candy melts. I threw away about $40 of candy melts.
If the melts are purchased in a craft store, they may have already lost 2-5 months of shelf life (manufacture date to warehouse to order point in a craft store). Then, how long are the candy melts at the store until they are actually sold to a consumer?
In my personal opinion, Wilton tries to disguise the expiration date of their candy melts by utilizing a complex code instead of a "manufactured on" date.
http://www.pamspartyandpracticaltips.com/2014/08/how-to-know-if-your-wilton-candy-melts.html
I bought both Wilton's and Merck's and it seems like the Wilton ones actually last longer than the Merck's. I'm guessing because Merck's uses better (i.e., less artificial) ingredients?
I am able to locally purchase VERY fresh (within the same month of manufacture) Guittard A'Peels, white or dark chocolate. True....I have to buy in a minimum quantity of 25 pounds of white and/or dark, but the bulk pricing allows me to use chocolate like crazy. Sometimes I'll split a box with friends from my local cake club.
Anyway, the melt-ability of the fresh Guittard A'Peels is AWESOME!!!!! Many of my cake friends prefer Merckens and love the way it behaves.
The difference between fresh Guittard A'Peels and fresh Wilton Candy Melts is not even close. I do purchase bags of the colored Wilton candy melts if I must have different colors, but I nearly always have to use paramount crystals.
I hated to thrown away the 15 or so bags of old (2 years+) Wilton candy melts, but they were not worth trying to save.
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