Saving Your Wedding Cake: How Long Can You Keep It?

Saving the top tier of a wedding cake is a long-standing tradition, but how long can it be kept? The answer depends on the type of cake. A fruit cake can be preserved for longer than a year, but a sponge cake should not be frozen for longer than one month to avoid freezer burn. Wedding cakes with delicate toppings such as whipped cream or fresh fruit fillings may not freeze successfully at all. To keep your cake as fresh as possible, it's important to wrap it tightly in several layers of plastic wrap and aluminium foil, and store it in an airtight container at the back of the freezer, where it is coldest.

How to freeze a wedding cake

Freezing a wedding cake is a great way to preserve the memories of your special day. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to freeze a wedding cake:

Prepare the Cake

Firstly, ensure that your cake is suitable for freezing. Buttercream and fondant-iced cakes, as well as fruit cakes, freeze very well. More delicate cakes, such as angel food cake, are more likely to become stale during freezing. If your cake has a fruit filling, the texture may change when it thaws.

Before freezing, remove any large decorations, such as sugar flowers or cake toppers, but smaller decorations made from icing can be left on. If your cake is on a cardboard base, transfer it to a foil-covered cardboard or a plastic plate to prevent any cardboard taste or smell from affecting the cake.

Wrap and Seal the Cake

Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least three hours or overnight to allow the icing to harden. This will prevent the frosting from sticking to the plastic wrap. Before placing the cake in the refrigerator, remove any foods with strong odours to prevent the cake from absorbing unwanted smells.

Once the icing has hardened, remove the cake from the refrigerator and wrap it in several layers of plastic wrap. Ensure that the wrap is tight and covers the cake from top to bottom and on all sides, with no air bubbles. Do not use aluminium foil as this can cause freezer burn.

Next, seal the wrapped cake in a freezer-safe, airtight container or box. If using a box, wrap the box in several layers of plastic wrap for added protection.

Storing the Cake

Place the sealed cake in the freezer, preferably in a drawer, and ensure it is lying flat. If your freezer has a defrosting setting, turn it off to prevent the preservation process from being interrupted. Mark the cake with a ribbon or a label so you know not to throw it out.

Defrosting the Cake

When your anniversary draws near, take the cake out of the freezer and remove all the wrapping. Place the cake back into the airtight container or a sealed bag and put it in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours to defrost. On the day you plan to eat the cake, take it out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 2 to 3 hours before serving.

Alternative Options

If you are concerned about the quality of your cake after freezing, you can simply order a replica cake from your bakery. This way, you can still enjoy a delicious cake that brings back fond memories of your wedding day. Alternatively, you can save a couple of slices of each tier instead of freezing the whole cake.

How long a wedding cake can be frozen for

The length of time a wedding cake can be frozen for depends on the type of cake. A traditional fruit cake can be preserved for longer than a year, while a sponge cake with fruit and cream will not hold up as well. Bakers recommend not keeping a cake for more than six months, but if it is properly preserved, it can be safely kept for a whole year.

Kimberly Bailey, owner of The Butter End Cakery, says that there is no safety issue with eating a year-old cake, but it may not taste as good if it has been affected by freezer burn. Bailey adds that couples have reported enjoying slices of their wedding cake for years after their wedding.

Erica and Charlie from Bluebell Kitchen recommend freezing a sponge cake for no longer than one month. However, one of their couples reported freezing a sponge tier and enjoying it on their first wedding anniversary, saying it tasted as good as on their wedding day.

Deborah from Red Robin Pantry recommends sticking to the three-month rule to avoid freezer burn. She suggests checking the cake periodically after this point to make sure no ice is building up on it.

To ensure the cake stays fresh, it is important to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, pushing out any air, and then covering it in aluminium foil and placing it in an airtight container.

The history of saving wedding cakes

The tradition of saving the top layer of a wedding cake dates back to the 19th century when it was saved as a symbol of good luck. The tradition gained popularity during the Victorian era, when couples would incorporate it into their wedding reception celebrations. Wedding cakes at the time were made with rich fruitcakes, which have a much longer shelf life than regular cakes.

The superstition behind saving the top tier of a wedding cake is that it should be eaten at the christening of the couple's first child. However, this tradition began when couples would typically have a child within a year of getting married. Nowadays, couples may instead choose to eat the cake on their first wedding anniversary, as a way to relive the special event.

The tradition of saving the top tier of a wedding cake has its roots in Ancient Rome, when marriage ceremonies ended with a scone-like wheat or barley cake being broken over the bride's head for luck and fertility. The new husband and wife would eat a few crumbs together as one of their first unified acts as a married couple.

In Medieval England, spiced buns, scones, and cookies were stacked as high as possible, and the bride and groom would try to kiss over the stack. Legend had it that if they managed to kiss without knocking the stack over, they would have good fortune. This practice is thought to be the precursor to the tiered wedding cakes of today.

In the 18th century, newlywed couples would try to keep the cake until their first anniversary to prevent marriage problems in the future. This is one of the reasons why cakes in the 18th century were made of fruits and blended with wine.

How to defrost a wedding cake

If you've managed to save your wedding cake for your first anniversary, well done! Now, it's time to defrost it so you can enjoy it. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure your cake is defrosted properly and safely:

• Take the cake out of the freezer and remove any wrapping or packaging. It's important to do this slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the cake or its icing.
• Place the cake in the refrigerator. This will allow it to defrost gradually and stay cold. Leave it in the fridge for at least a couple of hours, and preferably for 24 to 48 hours, depending on the size of the cake.
• Once the cake has mostly defrosted in the fridge, bring it out and let it reach room temperature. This will ensure the cake is nice and moist, and not too cold when you eat it. This final step should take around 2 to 3 hours.
• Enjoy your cake! It may not taste exactly as it did on your wedding day, but it's a fun tradition to take part in.

Some additional tips to keep in mind:

• Make sure the cake stays wrapped or covered during the defrosting process to prevent it from drying out.
• The condensation that forms when the cake thaws can leave marks on the icing. To minimise this, bring the cake to room temperature only once it's almost fully defrosted.
• If you're concerned about the taste or texture of your year-old cake, consider ordering a replica from your baker or a local bakery. They can create a fresh cake with the same flavours and decorations as your original wedding cake.

Alternatives to freezing a wedding cake

Freezing a wedding cake is a well-known tradition, but it is not the only option for couples who want to enjoy their cake after the wedding. Here are some alternatives to freezing your wedding cake:

Eat it on the day

Many couples are so busy celebrating on their wedding day that they only get to enjoy a bite or two of their cake. So, rather than freezing the cake, you could simply eat it! This way, you can savour the taste of your cake and avoid any potential issues with freezer burn or changes in texture.

Order a replica

If you're concerned about the quality of your cake after freezing, you can ask your baker to create a replica of your wedding cake for your anniversary. This way, you can still enjoy the taste and appearance of your original cake, but with the guarantee of freshness. This option also allows you to relive the cake-cutting moment with a freshly baked dessert.

Opt for other treats

Instead of a wedding cake, you could choose alternative treats such as cupcakes, pies, donuts, or strudels. These options can be simpler, less costly, and provide a variety of choices for your guests. For example, the Berry Chantilly Cake from Whole Foods is a wedding budget-friendly option that is both customisable and available ready-made.

Save slices of each tier

Rather than freezing the entire top tier, you can save a few slices of each tier to enjoy in the weeks following your wedding. This way, you can relive the magic of your wedding day without having to worry about the challenges of freezing and thawing an entire cake.

Choose a dense cake

If you're set on freezing your wedding cake, choosing a dense cake will help it stand the test of time. Denser cakes, such as fruit cakes, freeze better and can be preserved for longer periods. By opting for a dense cake, you can increase the chances of your cake tasting delicious even after a year in the freezer.

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