Storing Your Wedding Cake: Tips For Preserving The Perfect Slice

The wedding cake is a ceremony classic, but many couples also want to preserve their cake to enjoy on their first anniversary. Traditionally, newlyweds would serve the top tier of their wedding cake at their first child's christening to cut down on costs. Today, the tradition has evolved into a way to remember your wedding day and celebrate your first year of marriage. Here's how to store your wedding cake to ensure it stays fresh for your first anniversary.

Remove decorations and cardboard

Before storing your wedding cake, it is important to remove any decorations and cardboard. This will help to prevent damage and odour transfer during storage.

For decorations, remove any large sugar flowers, gumpaste flowers, and cake toppers. Smaller sugar flowers and icing details can be left on, but it is recommended to remove as many decorations as possible to ensure a smooth surface for wrapping. If you want to keep the decorations as a memento, place them in a dry, room-temperature location.

Next, remove the cake from any cardboard cake boards. Cardboard can affect the flavour of the cake during long-term storage. Transfer the cake to a plastic cake board or a foil-covered board. Avoid using cardboard with low-quality materials that may alter the taste of your cake.

By removing the decorations and cardboard, you can help ensure that your wedding cake stays fresh and tasty during storage.

It is also important to note that some sources suggest pre-freezing the cake before wrapping to allow the frosting to firm up, making it easier to handle and reducing the risk of a messy wrapping process.

Chill the cake

Chilling your wedding cake is an important step in the preservation process. It ensures the icing hardens, preventing it from sticking to the plastic wrap and making a mess.

If you want to save sugar flowers as a memento, remove them and set them aside in a dry, room-temperature location. They will get soggy if left on the cake and will be squashed when wrapping the cake.

After the cake has chilled, you can begin the wrapping process.

Wrap in plastic

Wrapping your wedding cake in plastic is an essential step in the process of storing your wedding cake. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to doing this:

Firstly, it is important to note that your cake should be chilled in the refrigerator before you begin wrapping it. This will allow the icing to harden, making it easier to wrap without creating a mess. It will also prevent the plastic wrap from sticking to the icing. Aim to chill the cake for a few hours, or until the icing feels sturdy.

Next, you should remove any decorative additions to your cake, such as flowers, cake toppers, and large sugar flowers or icing details. These decorations can be saved as mementos, but they should not be left on the cake as they may get soggy or spoil quickly. Smaller sugar flowers and icing details can be left on the cake.

Now, you are ready to begin wrapping your cake in plastic. It is recommended to use at least five full layers of plastic wrap. Start by pressing the plastic directly onto the surface of the cake, working carefully to cover the entire tier and ensure there are no air bubbles. This will help to prevent freezer odours and burn from affecting your cake.

Once you have finished wrapping the cake, add a final layer of aluminium foil to protect it from any potential damage during storage.

Finally, place your wrapped cake in a large plastic container or airtight cake box. If you do not have a cake box, you can use Tupperware or another airtight container. It is important to ensure that your cake is well-protected and sealed before placing it in the freezer.

By following these steps, you can effectively wrap your wedding cake in plastic, helping to preserve it and maintain its freshness during storage.

Place in an airtight container

To store your wedding cake in an airtight container, you should first allow it to cool completely. Then, remove any decorative additions, such as cake toppers, flowers, and other ornaments, and place them aside in a dry, room-temperature location. If your cake is on a cardboard cake board, transfer it to a plastic one to prevent the cardboard from affecting the flavour.

Next, pre-freeze the cake for around an hour to let the frosting firm up. This will make it easier to wrap the cake without creating a mess. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, using at least five full layers to prevent freezer odours and burn from penetrating. After this, add a final layer of aluminium foil.

Finally, place the wrapped cake in a large plastic airtight container and store it in the freezer. If you're planning on keeping the cake for a year, consider keeping it somewhere it can remain untouched, like at a relative's house, to avoid accidentally defrosting and refreezing it.

Defrosting

• Take the cake out of the freezer and remove the wrapping.
• Place the cake in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours to allow it to thaw gradually. This will help prevent condensation and ensure the cake doesn't dry out.
• Remove the cake from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours before serving.

It is worth noting that some sources suggest removing the cake from the refrigerator and letting it sit at room temperature for 5 to 6 hours before serving. This may vary depending on the size of the cake.

Additionally, it is recommended to keep the cake in its original bag while defrosting to prevent it from drying out.

It is important to manage expectations when defrosting a frozen wedding cake. Even with proper storage and defrosting techniques, the cake may not taste as good as it did on the wedding day. It may become stale, dry, or freezer-burned.

To avoid disappointment, some couples choose to order a fresh replica of their wedding cake for their first anniversary. This ensures the cake tastes delicious and still evokes fond memories of the wedding day.

Frequently asked questions