The Wedding Cake Tradition: Freezing The Fruitcake's Top Tier

Saving the top tier of the wedding cake is a long-standing tradition, dating back to 19th-century England. The custom, which originated when dense fruit cakes were the norm, has evolved from a symbol of good luck and prophecy to a way for couples to celebrate their first anniversary. While some couples still embrace this ritual, others find it impractical due to the delicate nature of modern wedding cakes. Ultimately, the decision to save the top tier of the wedding cake depends on personal preferences, with some opting for alternative ways to preserve the memory of their special day.

The history of saving the top layer of a wedding cake

The tradition of saving the top layer of a wedding cake dates back to 19th-century England. Newlyweds would save the top tier of their wedding cake for their first child's christening, as married couples were expected to have a child within a year of marriage. The cakes were typically dense fruit cakes, which allowed them to be preserved for long periods. The fruit and alcohol in the cake would continue to ferment over the year, making it palatable for the christening celebration.

As time went on, the birth of the first child happened further away from the wedding date, and the tradition shifted to saving the top tier of the cake to celebrate the couple's first wedding anniversary instead. This new tradition is also rooted in good luck and symbolises the couple's commitment to each other and their hopes for a long and happy marriage.

Today, wedding cakes are often made with more elaborate flavours, frostings, and decorations, which can make them more challenging to preserve. However, some couples still choose to save the top tier of their wedding cake as a sentimental tradition. To do this successfully, it is important to carefully wrap and store the cake in an airtight container before placing it in the freezer.

How to preserve the top layer of a wedding cake

Preserving the top tier of a wedding cake is a long-standing tradition that dates back to 19th-century England. Newlyweds would save the top tier of their wedding cake, which was typically a dense fruit cake, to serve at their first child's christening. Today, the tradition has evolved, and couples often choose to save the top tier to eat on their first wedding anniversary. While it may not taste exactly as it did on the wedding day, preserving the top layer of a wedding cake can be a sentimental way to celebrate your first anniversary and relive the happiness of your wedding day. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through the process:

Before the Wedding:

• Choose a cake with a longer shelf life: Opt for a dense and hearty cake such as chocolate, hazelnut, almond, or carrot cake. Avoid delicate ingredients like white cake, fresh fruit, or whipped cream fillings, as they tend to dry out faster in the freezer.
• Discuss preservation methods with your baker: If you plan to preserve the top tier, consult your cake baker for recommended preservation methods specific to your cake. They may offer alternatives, such as recreating a fresh, smaller version of your wedding cake for your first anniversary.
• Plan ahead for transportation: If you're going on your honeymoon or moving after the wedding, appoint a family member or friend to take the cake home and prepare it for preservation.

During the Wedding:

• Be mindful of how and where you cut the cake: If you plan to save the top tier, avoid cutting it during the cake-cutting ceremony. Instead, only slice pieces from the bottom tier to keep the top tier untouched.
• Ask the catering staff to remove the top tier: Immediately after the cake-cutting ceremony, request that the catering staff remove the top tier, box it, and store it safely for transportation.

Preserving the Cake:

• Remove decorations: Take off any sugar flowers, cake toppers, or non-edible adornments from the cake. This step is crucial, especially for fresh flowers, to prevent spoilage.
• Chill the cake: Place the top tier of your cake in the refrigerator to chill. This will harden the icing and make it easier to wrap the cake without sticking.
• Wrap the cake: Once the icing has hardened, wrap the cake with several layers of plastic wrap. Ensure there are no air bubbles, aiming for at least three or four layers. This step helps preserve the cake and prevents freezer burn.
• Use a cake box or airtight container: Place the wrapped cake in a cake box, Tupperware, or another airtight container. If using a cake box, wrap it in several layers of aluminium foil and consider placing it in a large Ziploc bag for added protection.
• Label and store: Label the cake with a permanent marker or sticker to avoid confusion in the freezer. Place it on a shelf where it won't be disturbed, and make sure your freezer is set to a consistent temperature.

On Your First Anniversary:

• Thaw the cake: Approximately 24 hours before your anniversary, move the wrapped cake from the freezer to the refrigerator to begin the thawing process.
• Unwrap and bring to room temperature: On your anniversary, unwrap the cake and let it sit at room temperature for a few hours before serving.

Please note that even with proper preservation, the cake will likely be stale after a year in the freezer. However, if you follow these steps, it should still be safe to eat and provide a sweet way to celebrate your first anniversary.

Why do people save the top tier of their wedding cake?

Saving the top tier of a wedding cake has been a tradition for many couples on their wedding day. The custom dates back to 19th-century England, when newlyweds would save the top tier of their wedding cake for their first child's christening, which was expected to take place within the first year of marriage. The cake, typically a dense fruit cake, allowed couples to preserve it for long periods. Some historians believe this tradition was done as a prophecy of good luck.

Over time, the tradition evolved, and now, the top tier of the wedding cake is often saved to be eaten on the couple's first anniversary. This shift happened as the birth of the first child was no longer expected to occur within the first year of marriage. The top tier of the wedding cake is now a symbol of the love shared, the exchanged vows, and the celebration of the couple's first year of marriage.

The tradition of saving the top tier of the wedding cake is a way to honour the couple's achievement and a symbolic way to renew their vows. Experts agree that the first year of marriage is the hardest, so celebrating the first anniversary with the saved cake is a meaningful way to commemorate their love and commitment.

To preserve the top tier of a wedding cake, it is important to wrap it tightly in several layers of plastic wrap and then place it in an airtight container for additional protection. Freezing is the best option for maintaining its freshness. It is also recommended to remove any decorations, like cake toppers or flowers, before freezing to avoid any reactions during preservation.

While the tradition of saving the top tier of the wedding cake may seem outdated due to the modern cakes' shorter shelf life, it is still practised by many couples who view it as a sentimental and sweet gesture.

How long can you save the top tier of a wedding cake?

Saving the top tier of a wedding cake is a tradition that dates back to 19th-century England. Newlyweds would save the top tier of their wedding cake for their first child's christening, as it was expected that married couples would have a child within the first year of marriage. The cakes that were popular during this time were dense fruit cakes, which allowed them to be preserved for long periods.

Today, this tradition has evolved, and couples now save the top tier of their wedding cake to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. However, this has become more challenging as wedding cakes now tend to have elaborate flavors, frostings, and decorations, which makes preservation more complicated.

If you want to save the top tier of your wedding cake, it is important to note that it will likely be stale after a year in the freezer, and proper preservation techniques must be followed to prevent the cake from spoiling. Here are some key steps to successfully freeze and preserve your wedding cake:

• Remove all flowers and adornments from the cake.
• Chill the cake in the refrigerator to harden the icing and make it easier to wrap.
• Wrap the cake in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Label the cake so you know what it is.
• Store the wrapped cake in the freezer.
• To defrost the cake, place it in the refrigerator for about 24 hours before you plan to eat it.
• Remove the cake from the packaging and let it sit at room temperature for a few hours before serving.

It is important to note that not all cakes are suitable for freezing. Cakes with dense and hearty ingredients, such as chocolate, hazelnut, almond, and carrot cake, will last longer in the freezer. Cakes with more delicate ingredients, like white cake, fresh fruit cake, or whipped cream fillings, will dry out faster.

Additionally, the type of filling used can also affect the freezer life of the cake. Fillings like buttercream, ganache, cheesecake filling, jam, fruit curd, and caramel are suitable for freezing. On the other hand, fresh berries or fruit, custard, gelatin-based fillings, and whipped cream may make the cake soggy or change texture once defrosted.

Most bakers recommend storing the top tier of a wedding cake for no longer than six months, depending on the type of cake. So, while you can save the top tier of your wedding cake for your first anniversary, it may not taste as fresh as it did on your wedding day.

Alternatives to saving the top tier of a wedding cake

Saving the top tier of a wedding cake is a long-standing tradition that dates back to 19th-century England. Newlyweds would preserve the top tier of their wedding cake, which was typically a dense fruit cake, to serve at their first child's christening. However, this tradition has evolved, and many couples now choose to save the top tier of their wedding cake to eat on their first wedding anniversary instead.

While some couples may still choose to follow this tradition, there are several alternatives to saving the top tier of a wedding cake. Here are some options:

• Share the top tier of the cake with the wedding party or close family and friends shortly after the wedding. This way, you can still enjoy the cake while it's fresh, and you won't have to worry about preserving it.
• If you're not interested in eating stale cake but still want to partake in the tradition, you can ask your baker to recreate a fresh, miniature version of your wedding cake for your first anniversary. This way, you can enjoy the same flavours without having to worry about preservation methods.
• If you don't want to save the top tier, you can still enjoy cake on your first anniversary by ordering a fresh cake in the same flavour as your wedding cake or using your original wedding cake topper on a basic anniversary cake.
• Instead of saving the top tier, some couples choose to save a few slices of the cake. This way, they can still relive their wedding day without committing to preserving an entire tier.
• If you're having a destination wedding or an outdoor wedding, you may not be able to bring the cake home or preserve it properly. In this case, you can simply choose to forgo the tradition and enjoy the cake on the day of your wedding.

Frequently asked questions