Preserving The Top Tier: Keeping Your Wedding Cake Fresh

Saving the top tier of your wedding cake is a popular tradition for newlyweds, who eat it together on their first anniversary. The tradition began in the 19th century when newlyweds would typically serve the top tier of their wedding cake at their first child's christening to cut down on costs. Today, it is a way to remember your wedding day and celebrate your bond. However, some couples are sceptical about how good a year-old cake will taste. If you do want to save the top tier of your wedding cake, there are several steps you can take to preserve it.

Remove decorations and flowers

Removing decorations and flowers from your wedding cake is an important step in preserving your cake for your first anniversary. Here are some detailed tips to help you with this process:

Firstly, remove any large sugar flowers, gumpaste flowers, or cake toppers. You can leave smaller sugar flowers and icing details if you wish. It is important to note that sugar flowers will get soggy if left on the cake, so if you want to save them as a memento, carefully remove them and set them aside in a dry, room-temperature location.

If your wedding cake has fresh flowers, it is crucial to remove them before storing your cake. Fresh flowers can carry bacteria and may have been treated with pesticides, which you don't want on your cake! When removing fresh flowers, be careful not to touch the cake with the stems, as the flower water can leak onto the cake and affect the taste.

Next, if your cake is on a cardboard base, carefully transfer it to a plastic one. Cardboard can affect the taste of your cake over time, and you don't want your anniversary cake to taste like cardboard! A foil-covered board can also be used, but some people prefer to avoid aluminium.

Lastly, if you have any other decorations on your cake, such as ornaments or cake toppers, remove them as well. You want your cake to be as smooth as possible before wrapping it for storage. This will ensure that your wrapping creates an airtight seal and prevents airflow, which can cause spoilage.

Remember to handle your cake gently during this process and try to minimise touching the icing to avoid any damage or mess. Once you've removed all the decorations and flowers, your cake will be ready for the next step in preservation – wrapping and freezing!

Chill the cake

Chilling your wedding cake is an important step in the preservation process. Here are some detailed tips to ensure your cake is properly chilled:

Firstly, it is crucial to allow your cake to cool completely before chilling. A cake that is still warm will be fragile, and spreading the icing will likely create breakage and a lot of crumbs, spoiling the smooth finish. Additionally, if the cake is too hot, the icing will melt and run. Therefore, wait at least 2-3 hours after removing your cake from the oven before attempting to chill it.

Once your cake has cooled, you can then place it in the refrigerator or freezer to chill. If you are short on time, the freezer is the quickest way to cool your cake. However, be aware that if you chill your cake for too long, it may become crumbly, making it difficult to cut and handle. Aim for a well-refrigerated cake rather than a partially frozen one, as this will be easier to work with.

If you are planning to store your cake for more than a couple of days, freezing is recommended. To prevent your cake from drying out, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap before placing it in the freezer. Ensure the cake has cooled completely before wrapping, as the steam from a hot cake can create excess condensation, leading to a soggy cake.

When you are ready to serve your wedding cake, it is best to remove it from the refrigerator or freezer and allow it to come to room temperature. This will ensure your cake is soft and tastes its best.

Chilling your wedding cake properly is essential to ensure it stays fresh and maintains its smooth finish. By following these tips, you can ensure your cake is properly chilled and ready for preservation.

Wrap in plastic

Wrapping your wedding cake in plastic is an essential step in preserving your wedding cake. The plastic wrap will help to keep the cake's original taste and texture, provided it is done correctly. Here is a step-by-step guide to wrapping your wedding cake in plastic:

Firstly, remove any decorations such as sugar flowers, cake toppers, or other adornments. These decorations can be kept as mementos but should be set aside before wrapping the cake. Leaving small sugar flowers and icing details is fine, as long as the cake is still smooth enough to wrap airtight.

Secondly, chill the cake. Place the cake in the refrigerator or freezer to allow the icing to harden. This step is important because it will prevent the icing from sticking to the plastic wrap and creating a mess. The cake should be left in the refrigerator for at least three hours or overnight.

Now, you are ready to wrap the cake in plastic. Gather your plastic wrap and begin wrapping the cake, pressing the plastic directly onto the surface of the cake. Ensure that there are no air bubbles or openings in the plastic wrap, and that every inch of the cake is tightly wrapped. This will prevent the cake from drying out and protect it from freezer odors and burn. It is recommended to use at least five full layers of plastic wrap.

Finally, add additional layers of protection. After wrapping the cake in plastic, some sources suggest adding a final layer of aluminum foil. Others recommend placing the wrapped cake in a freezer bag, while another source suggests placing the cake in a large plastic container. These additional layers will provide more protection and ensure that air cannot reach the cake.

Your wedding cake is now wrapped in plastic and ready to be stored in the freezer! Remember to place it at the back of the freezer, where it is coldest and least exposed to warm air.

Place in an airtight container

To save a wedding cake top, you must first prepare the cake by removing any decorative flowers and other adornments. Then, place the cake in the refrigerator to chill for a few hours. This will harden the icing and make it easier to wrap the cake without sticking.

Once the cake is chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and wrap it in several layers of plastic wrap. Ensure that the plastic wrap is pressed directly onto the surface of the cake to create an airtight seal. After wrapping the cake in plastic, place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Label the container or bag with the date and contents so you can easily identify it in the future.

Finally, place the wrapped and sealed cake in the back of your freezer, where it will remain undisturbed and exposed to cold temperatures. This process will help preserve the wedding cake top for future enjoyment or celebration.

Defrost before eating

When your first anniversary or the christening of your first child comes around, you'll want to make sure your wedding cake is ready to eat. Here's how to defrost your cake so it's as tasty as it was on your wedding day.

Firstly, take your cake out of the freezer and place it in the fridge overnight. This will give the cake time to defrost slowly and avoid condensation forming on the icing. After this, leave the cake at room temperature on the counter for five or six hours. It's important that the cake is unwrapped during this time so that condensation doesn't get trapped inside.

If you're short on time, you can defrost the cake at room temperature for a few hours. However, this may impact the quality of the cake.

Finally, enjoy your cake! It should taste just as good as it did on your wedding day.

Frequently asked questions