Preserving Your Wedding Cake: A Year-Long Guide

Saving the top tier of a wedding cake to eat on your first anniversary is a popular tradition. While some couples choose to rely on their baker or caterer to preserve the cake, others opt for a DIY approach. If you want to save your wedding cake for a year, it's important to take the right steps to preserve it. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you do it successfully.

Remove all decorations, including flowers and cake toppers

It is important to remove all decorations from your wedding cake before storing it for a year. This includes real flowers, sugar flowers, and cake toppers. Even if you are leaving the cake to be stored by your baker or caterer, it is still a good idea to remove all decorations. This is because they will spoil quickly and could ruin the cake. Sugar flowers, in particular, will get soggy if they are squashed into the icing when you wrap the cake. If you want to keep your decorations as a memento, set them aside in a dry, room-temperature location.

If you are keeping the top tier of your wedding cake, it is important to remove all cardboard before storing it. If you leave the cake on cardboard, it will absorb the taste, which will be unpleasant when you come to eat it. Instead, transfer the cake to a plastic board. You can also use a foil-covered board, but some people are paranoid about the potential connection between aluminium and Alzheimer's disease.

It is also important to remember that your cake will be stale after a year in the freezer. However, if you use the correct preservation methods, it should still be edible.

Place the cake in the refrigerator to chill

To save your wedding cake for a year, you'll need to place it in the refrigerator to chill. This is an important step to ensure the cake is properly preserved and will prevent the icing from sticking to the plastic wrap. Place the top tier of your cake in the refrigerator to chill for a few hours. This will harden the icing and make it easier to prepare the cake for freezing.

Chilling the cake will only take a few hours, but it is a crucial step. It will ensure that the icing is firm and will prevent it from sticking to the plastic wrap when you wrap the cake. This step will also help to prevent a mess when handling the soft, sticky frosting. The refrigerator's cool temperature will help to set the icing, creating a protective barrier around the cake.

By placing the cake in the refrigerator, you are essentially preparing it for the freezing process. The chilled icing will be less susceptible to damage and will retain its shape better during the freezing process. This step is often overlooked, but it is an important part of properly preserving your wedding cake for the long term.

Once the cake has been properly chilled, you can proceed to the next steps of wrapping and freezing. Remember, proper preparation is key to ensuring your wedding cake remains edible and tasty for your one-year anniversary.

Wrap the cake in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container

Wrapping and storing your wedding cake in an airtight container is a crucial step in preserving your wedding cake for your one-year anniversary. Here is a detailed guide to ensure your cake remains in the best possible condition:

Remove Decorations

Before wrapping your cake, it is important to remove any decorative elements. Take off the cake topper, large sugar flowers, and any other adornments. Smaller sugar flowers and icing details can usually be left on. It is also recommended to remove the cake from its cardboard base and transfer it to a plastic one, as cardboard can affect the taste of the cake over time.

Chill the Cake

Place the cake, uncovered, in the refrigerator or freezer for a couple of hours. Chilling the cake will harden the icing, making it easier to wrap without sticking to the plastic. It will also help the cake retain its shape and prevent a gooey mess when handling.

Wrap in Plastic

Once the icing is firm, remove the cake from the refrigerator or freezer. Gather your plastic wrap and begin wrapping. It is essential to wrap the cake tightly, ensuring the plastic is pressed directly against the surface of the cake. Aim for at least five full layers of plastic wrap to create a protective barrier. This step is crucial to prevent freezer odors and burn from affecting your cake.

Place in an Airtight Container

After the cake is thoroughly wrapped in plastic, it's time to add another layer of protection. Place the wrapped cake inside an airtight container or a large plastic container with a secure lid. If using a freezer bag, ensure it is a zippered plastic bag, and remove as much air as possible before sealing.

Store in the Freezer

Find a spot in the back of your freezer, where the temperature is coldest and the cake will be less exposed to warm air every time the freezer door is opened. Place your airtight container with the wrapped cake inside, and it will be ready to enjoy on your first wedding anniversary!

Remember, even with the best preservation methods, your cake will likely be stale after a year in the freezer. However, proper wrapping and storage techniques will ensure it is still edible and allow you to celebrate your special day all over again.

Thaw the cake in the refrigerator before serving

Thawing the cake is the final step in the process of preserving your wedding cake for a year. It is important to follow the correct procedure to ensure that the cake is properly thawed and ready to be enjoyed on your anniversary.

Firstly, it is recommended to remove the cake from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator for about 24 hours before you plan to eat it. This slow thawing process will help prevent condensation from forming on the cake. Taking the cake out of its packaging and placing it on a plate or baking sheet will also aid in the thawing process.

After the cake has been thawing in the refrigerator for a day, it can be removed from the fridge and left at room temperature for a few hours. This will ensure that the cake is at the ideal temperature for consumption and will provide the best taste and texture.

It is worth noting that even with proper preservation and thawing techniques, a year-old cake will still be stale. However, by following the recommended steps, you can ensure that your wedding cake is safely preserved and ready to be enjoyed on your first anniversary.

Some couples may also choose to have a backup plan, such as ordering a fresh replica of their wedding cake from the bakery to enjoy on their anniversary. This can be a good option if you are unsure about the taste or texture of the frozen cake.

Enjoy the cake on your first anniversary

Enjoying your wedding cake on your first anniversary is a lovely tradition, but it's important to follow some key steps to ensure your cake is preserved properly.

Firstly, it's important to remove all flowers and adornments from the cake. This is a precaution, as even sugar or fondant flowers can spoil quickly. You should also remove the cardboard base, as the cake can absorb the taste of cardboard over the course of the year. Transfer the cake to a plastic board instead.

Next, place the cake in the refrigerator to chill. This will harden the icing and make it easier to wrap the cake without it sticking to the plastic. Once the cake is chilled, wrap it in several layers of plastic wrap. You can then add a final layer of aluminium foil for extra protection. Place the wrapped cake in an airtight container or freezer bag and put it in the freezer.

When your first anniversary arrives, take the cake out of the freezer and place it in the refrigerator for about 24 hours to defrost. Then, remove the cake from its packaging and let it sit at room temperature for a few hours before enjoying.

It's worth noting that your cake will be stale, and certain types of cake will last longer and taste better than others after a year in the freezer. Chocolate, almond, or carrot cake, for example, will fare better than a white, fruit-filled, or whipped cream-topped cake.

If you're hesitant about eating year-old cake, you could consider ordering a small replica of your wedding cake from the bakery or spicing up a basic anniversary cake with your original wedding cake topper.

Frequently asked questions