Best Containers To Save Your Wedding Cake

Saving the top tier of a wedding cake to eat on your first anniversary is a long-standing tradition. While it may not taste as good as it did on your wedding day, it's a fun way to reminisce about your special day. If you're interested in preserving your wedding cake, it's important to use the right container to prevent freezer burn and maintain freshness.

One option is to use plastic wrap and an airtight container, but this method may not always yield the best results. For a more effective solution, specialised products like KeepCake and PackFreshUSA's Top Tier Wedding Cake Preservation System utilise vacuum technology to remove air from the container, preventing freezer burn and keeping your cake fresh. These products are designed to preserve the taste and aesthetics of your cake, making your first anniversary even more memorable.

Choosing the right cake type and flavour

If you're planning to save the top tier of your wedding cake, opt for a sturdier cake type and avoid perishable ingredients. Here are some cake types and flavours that are better suited for freezing and preservation:

• Fruitcake: A traditional choice for wedding cakes, especially in the past. Fruitcakes made with dry or alcohol-soaked fruits can last longer than those with fresh fruit.
• Carrot cake: Carrot cake can be a good option, but avoid cream cheese frosting as it may not freeze well.
• Vanilla cake: A versatile choice that pairs well with various fillings and frostings. Consider pairing it with passionfruit curd, raspberry filling, or strawberry buttercream for a crowd-pleasing combination.
• Chocolate cake: A classic flavour that can be paired with unexpected flavours like hazelnut, matcha, or mint.
• Red velvet cake: A rich and decadent option that is often served with cream cheese frosting.
• Almond cake: A traditional alternative to vanilla or chocolate, almond cake pairs well with cherry filling or other nutty flavours like pistachio cake with buttercream and caramelized pistachios.
• Lemon cake: A popular choice for spring or summer weddings, lemon cake can be paired with lemon curd, raspberry filling, berry frosting, or lavender for a refreshing flavour.

Remember, even with the right cake type and flavour, your cake may still be stale after a year in the freezer. Proper preservation techniques are crucial to ensuring your cake remains edible and tasty.

Removing decorations and cardboard

To save your wedding cake for a year, you'll need to remove all decorations and cardboard from the cake before freezing it. This is because decorations like flowers, even if they're made of sugar or fondant, will spoil quickly. Cardboard can affect the flavour of your cake, so it's best to remove it and transfer your cake to a plastic board instead.

If you're using a product like KeepCake, which is a freezer container designed for storing and preserving wedding cakes, you won't need to worry about wrapping your cake in plastic wrap and tin foil. The cardboard cake board should be removed before placing your cake in the KeepCake container.

If you're not using KeepCake, you'll need to wrap your cake in several layers of plastic wrap, aiming for at least three to five layers. This will help to preserve your cake and prevent freezer burn. However, this common method can destroy the decorations and aesthetic of your cake. After wrapping your cake in plastic wrap, you can then wrap it in tin foil.

Once your cake is wrapped, you can place it in a cake box, Tupperware, or another airtight container. You can also use a product like the PackFreshUSA Top Tier Cake Preservation System, which uses a mylarfoil pouch and oxygen absorber to keep your cake fresh.

Pre-freezing the cake

Preserving the top tier of your wedding cake to eat on your first anniversary is a tradition that dates back to Victorian England. Freezing technology has come a long way since then, but the basic principles of cake preservation remain the same. Here are some detailed, step-by-step instructions for pre-freezing your wedding cake:

Firstly, it is important to get the top tier of your wedding cake into the refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible after cutting the cake. If a freezer is not available at your venue, be sure to get the cake into the freezer as soon as you get home. You can cover it with a single layer of plastic wrap for this initial freezing stage.

The pre-freezing stage is crucial because it hardens the cake and icing, making it easier to wrap the cake without it becoming a sticky mess. Place the cake in the freezer for around an hour, or up to 12 hours if necessary, until the frosting is firm. If you skip this step, you will find it very difficult to wrap the soft, sticky frosting without it becoming deformed or stuck to the wrapping.

Once the frosting is firm, remove the cake from the freezer. If the cake is on cardboard or another hard surface, wrap that piece in aluminium foil first. Then, carefully wrap the cake itself with several layers of plastic wrap. Work meticulously around the entire tier of the cake to avoid missing any spots, and ensure there are no air bubbles. Aim for at least three or four layers of wrap to help preserve the cake and prevent freezer burn.

Finally, after sealing the cake, place it in a cake box, Tupperware, or another airtight container. You can request a cake box from the bakery that made your cake. Wrap the box or container in several layers of aluminium foil and consider placing it inside a large Ziploc bag for extra protection before placing it in the freezer. Don't forget to label it, so you know what it is when you come to defrost it for your first anniversary!

Wrapping the cake

Firstly, it is important to get the cake into the refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible after cutting it at the reception. You can ask your wedding planner or a designated person to ensure this task is executed properly. If a freezer is not available at your venue, be sure to get the cake into the freezer as soon as you get home to "pre-freeze" or harden it before taking the next steps. Cover it with a single layer of plastic wrap for this initial step.

Once the cake is pre-frozen, which could take up to 12 hours, remove it from the freezer. If the cake is on cardboard or another hard surface, wrap that piece in aluminum foil. Then, carefully wrap the cake itself with several layers of plastic wrap. Work meticulously around the entire tier of the cake to avoid missing any spots, ensuring there are no air bubbles. Aim for at least three to five layers of wrap to preserve moisture and prevent freezer burn.

After mummifying your cake with plastic wrap, add a final layer of aluminum foil. This extra layer will provide additional protection against freezer odours and burn, ensuring your cake stays fresh.

Finally, place your wrapped cake in a suitable container. Ideally, use a cake box, which you can request from the bakery that made your cake. If you don't have a cake box, Tupperware or another airtight container will also work. You can also use a modern alternative like KeepCake, which is a specially designed freezer container for storing and preserving wedding cakes. It features patented vacuum technology to prevent freezer burn and keep your cake tasting fresh.

Storing the cake in an airtight container

Firstly, it's important to note that freezing your wedding cake is a tradition that dates back to Victorian England, when couples served alcohol-soaked fruitcakes, which preserved well without electricity or freezers. While modern cakes may not preserve as well, it is still possible to enjoy your wedding cake a year later if you follow the proper steps.

One of the most important steps is to use an airtight container. This will help prevent freezer burn and keep your cake fresh. You can ask your bakery for a cake box, or use Tupperware or another type of airtight container. If using a cake box, wrap it in several layers of aluminium foil and place it in a large Ziploc bag before putting it in the freezer.

When preparing your cake for the airtight container, it's important to first remove all flowers and other non-edible decorations. You should also pre-freeze your cake by placing it in the freezer for an hour or so to harden the icing. Then, wrap the cake in several layers of plastic wrap, aiming for at least three to five layers. This will help to prevent freezer burn and protect your cake from odours.

Finally, place your wrapped cake in the airtight container and store it in the freezer until your first anniversary. When you're ready to enjoy your cake, move it from the freezer to the refrigerator 24 hours beforehand. Remove the cake from its packaging and let it come to room temperature before enjoying your tasty treat!

Frequently asked questions