A Year-Old Wedding Cake: Is It Safe To Eat?

Saving the top tier of a wedding cake to eat a year later is a wedding tradition that dates back to 19th-century England. Back then, wedding cakes were dense fruit cakes, which could be preserved for long periods. Couples would save the top tier of their wedding cake to be served at the christening of their first child, which was expected to come within a year of marriage. Today, the tradition has evolved, and couples now save the top tier of their wedding cake to eat on their one-year anniversary. While some couples still follow this tradition, others find the idea of eating year-old cake unappealing and choose to skip it or opt for alternative ways to preserve their wedding cake, such as having their baker recreate a fresh version of the cake for their anniversary.

The origins of the tradition

The tradition of saving the top tier of a wedding cake is believed to have originated in 18th or 19th-century Great Britain. During this time, wedding cakes were typically dense fruit cakes or chocolate cakes, which had a much longer shelf life than modern cakes. Couples would save the top tier of their wedding cake to serve at the christening celebration of their first child, which was expected to come within the first year of marriage. This tradition was likely done as a prophecy of good luck and to save money, as it was expensive to buy another cake.

Over time, the tradition evolved, and saving the top tier of the wedding cake became associated with celebrating the couple's first wedding anniversary rather than the christening of their first child. This shift occurred as societal norms changed, and couples started to wait longer before starting a family. Today, the wedding cake itself is seen as a symbol of the love shared, the exchanged vows, and the celebration of the couple's union. Eating the saved top tier of the wedding cake on their first anniversary is a way for couples to honour their achievement of getting through the toughest part of their marriage.

While the tradition has evolved, the methods for preserving the cake have also changed. In the past, cakes were simply stored in an icebox or freezer until needed. Today, there are specific recommendations for how to preserve a wedding cake for a year, including wrapping it in multiple layers of plastic wrap and storing it in an airtight container in the freezer. However, most bakers recommend storing cake for no longer than six months, as even with proper preservation, the taste and texture of the cake may be affected.

How to save your wedding cake for a year

Saving the top tier of your wedding cake for your one-year anniversary is a long-standing tradition. While it may have originated in the 18th or 19th century as a way to save money by using the cake at the christening of a couple's first child, it has evolved into a romantic tradition for newlyweds.

If you want to save your wedding cake for a year, here's how to do it:

Before the Wedding

Ask your baker if they have any recommended preservation methods for your specific cake. If you're having a cake-cutting ceremony and want to save the top tier, be mindful of how and where you cut the cake. Only slice pieces from the bottom tier so that the top tier remains untouched.

During the Wedding

Before the wedding, choose a member of the wedding party to save the cake. After you cut the cake, they can take it and prepare it for preservation. Alternatively, ask your catering staff to remove the top tier immediately after the cutting ceremony and box it up for transportation.

Preparing the Cake for Preservation

Once you're ready to preserve your cake, remove any decorations like sugar flowers and cake toppers. Then, chill the cake so that the icing hardens, which will prevent making a mess.

Freezing the Cake

Wrap your cake in several layers of plastic freezer wrap. Do not use aluminum foil, as this can cause freezer burn. Place the wrapped cake in an airtight container and store it in the freezer.

Thawing and Eating the Cake

When it's time to eat your cake, let it defrost in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours. Be aware that even if properly preserved, your cake may be a little stale or tasteless after a year.

Alternative Options

If you don't want to eat year-old cake, you can ask your baker to recreate a smaller version of your wedding cake for your first anniversary. This way, you can still participate in the tradition without worrying about food safety or taste.

Good luck, and happy anniversary!

Why bakers don't recommend saving your cake for a year

Saving the top tier of a wedding cake to eat a year later is a long-standing tradition. However, bakers and couples alike have expressed concerns about the taste and safety of year-old cake. Here are several reasons why bakers do not recommend saving your wedding cake for a year:

The Tradition of Saving Wedding Cake

The tradition of saving the top tier of a wedding cake dates back to the 18th century in Great Britain. At that time, wedding cakes were typically fruit or chocolate cakes, which had a much longer shelf life than modern cakes. The saved cake was then served at the christening celebration of the couple's first child, which usually occurred within the first year of marriage.

Modern Cakes Have a Shorter Shelf Life

Today's wedding cakes, often made with sponge cake and buttercream, are not designed to be frozen for extended periods. Unlike traditional fruitcakes, which could be preserved for months or even years, modern cakes have a shorter shelf life and are more susceptible to drying out, losing flavour, and developing freezer burn.

Food Safety Concerns

Freezing temperatures do not kill bacteria and mould. Without the preservatives and stabilizers found in mass-produced cakes, a homemade wedding cake is more vulnerable to bacterial growth and spoilage during freezing. Eating year-old cake that has not been properly preserved could potentially lead to food poisoning.

Taste and Texture Issues

Even with proper preservation techniques, such as multiple layers of plastic wrap and airtight containers, frozen cakes can still experience changes in taste and texture. Some couples who have saved their wedding cake for a year have reported that the cake was inedible, tasteless, dry, or had an unpleasant texture.

Alternative Options

Recognizing that couples may still want to honour the tradition, some bakers offer alternatives. These include providing a small anniversary cake in the same flavour as the wedding cake or creating a miniature version of the original cake for the couple's first anniversary. These options ensure that couples can enjoy a fresh cake that tastes and looks similar to their wedding cake without the risks associated with freezing.

Alternatives to saving your cake for a year

Saving the top tier of your wedding cake to eat on your one-year anniversary is a well-known tradition. However, it may not be for everyone, especially if you're concerned about food safety or the taste of year-old cake. Here are some alternatives to saving your wedding cake for a year:

• Enjoy it sooner: You don't have to wait a full year to indulge in your frozen wedding cake. Consider enjoying it on your one-month, three-month, or six-month anniversary. This way, you can savour a piece of your wedding cake without worrying about it getting too stale or risking food poisoning.
• Order a duplicate: If you're hesitant to eat year-old cake, you can order a "duplicate" top layer from your baker to enjoy on your first anniversary. This way, you can still participate in the tradition without compromising taste or food safety. Some bakers even offer this service for free or at a discounted rate as an "anniversary special."
• Preserve it differently: Instead of eating the actual cake a year later, you can preserve it by having it photographed or creating a small mini version of your wedding cake as an ornament. This way, you can cherish the memories of your special day without worrying about the cake's edibility.
• Opt for a longer-lasting cake: If you're set on saving your wedding cake for a year, consider choosing a cake with a longer shelf life. Dense and hearty cakes, such as chocolate, hazelnut, almond, or carrot cake, tend to last longer in the freezer. Avoid delicate cakes with ingredients like white cake, fresh fruit, or whipped cream fillings, as they will dry out faster.
• Celebrate with other treats: Instead of saving the actual cake, you can choose to celebrate your anniversary with other treats. For example, you can save a bottle of champagne or wine from your wedding reception to toast to your first anniversary. Alternatively, you can ask your baker to make a different type of treat, such as cupcakes or pies, that you can enjoy fresh on your anniversary.
• Go non-traditional: If cake isn't your thing, you can skip the wedding cake altogether and opt for non-traditional dessert options. Cupcakes, doughnuts, or even DIY s'mores bars can be just as delightful and give you more flexibility in how you choose to celebrate your anniversary.

People's experiences of saving their wedding cake for a year

Saving the top tier of a wedding cake to eat on your one-year anniversary is a tradition that dates back to the 18th century in Great Britain. The saved cake was originally served at the christening celebration for the couple's first child, which was expected to come within a year of the wedding. Today, the tradition is more about celebrating the couple's one-year anniversary and symbolically renewing their vows.

"We did it and it worked out great! The baker told us how to freeze it. It was a great treat on our anniversary trip! Tasted just as good!"

"I know several people who did this and all said the cake was inedible. A few even got food poisoning."

"My wedding isn't until October, but when my sister got married, she did save her cake for a year and said it tasted better than the day of the wedding. I plan on saving mine in the freezer for a year."

"We didn't have cake at our wedding, but my brother and sister-in-law wrapped their top tier. Apparently, it was nasty. They ate a bite or two each and threw out the rest."

"We did! And it was delicious. But our bakery gave us a special anniversary cake, packed it specially, and then we added more packaging to it."

"We didn't save ours. Our baker made us a small anniversary cake that was the same flavor as our 'cutting' tier."

"We saved ours and it tasted just fine. I only ate a bite, but my husband ate the rest of the cake over the course of several days."

"I carefully froze and saved my top tier for my first anniversary. On that day, we started to slice the cake, only to find out that the shady baker had provided a frosted double layer of styrofoam!"

Frequently asked questions