Freeze, Gift, Or Eat: Wedding Cake Top Tier Ideas

The top tier of a wedding cake is often saved by newlyweds to be eaten on their first anniversary, a tradition dating back to the 19th century. Originally, the top tier was kept to celebrate the birth of the couple's first child, but the tradition has evolved to mark a couple's one-year anniversary. Today, many couples choose not to save the top tier of their wedding cake, opting instead to order a fresh cake or eat leftover cake soon after their wedding. For those who wish to continue the tradition, it is important to properly wrap and store the cake to prevent it from drying out or becoming freezer-burned.

How to preserve the top tier of a wedding cake

Preserving the top tier of your wedding cake is a tradition that dates back to the 19th century. Originally, the top tier was saved to celebrate the birth of the couple's first child, as it was expected that couples would have children soon after marrying. Now, the top tier is usually preserved to be enjoyed on a couple's first anniversary.

• Remove all flowers and adornments from the cake. This is especially important for fresh flowers, but even sugar or fondant flowers should be removed as they can spoil quickly.
• Chill the cake in the refrigerator. Place the top tier in the fridge shortly after the wedding to harden the icing. This will make it easier to prepare the cake for freezing and prevent the plastic wrap from sticking.
• Wrap the cake. Once the cake is chilled, wrap the entire tier in plastic wrap or cling film. Ensure that the cake is tightly wrapped, with 1-2 layers of plastic wrap.
• Place the wrapped cake in an airtight container or zip lock bag. This will protect the cake from odours, moisture, and freezer burn. Label and date the cake so you know what it is and how long it has been frozen.
• Store the cake in the freezer. Place the airtight container or zip lock bag at the back of the freezer for safekeeping.
• Thaw the cake. When you are ready to eat the cake, remove it from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator to thaw slowly. This can take 12-24 hours, depending on the size of the cake.
• Bring the cake to room temperature. After thawing, 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 even when stored correctly, cakes can start to deteriorate after a few months. So, while you can preserve the top tier of your wedding cake, it may taste slightly dry or stale after a year.

How to defrost the cake

Freezing a cake is a great way to preserve it for a later date, but it's important to defrost it slowly to avoid excess moisture and condensation. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to defrost a wedding cake:

• Plan ahead: Remove the cake from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 12-24 hours before serving. This gradual thawing process will help prevent condensation and moisture buildup on the cake.
• Unwrap the cake: Once the cake is mostly thawed, remove it from the refrigerator and take off the plastic wrap or cling film. Leaving the cake wrapped while defrosting can trap moisture and make the cake soggy.
• Bring to room temperature: Place the cake on the counter and let it come to room temperature. This will ensure the cake and fillings soften and reach their optimal texture and flavour. A whole tier can take 3-4 hours to reach room temperature, while slices may only need 30-60 minutes.
• Store in an airtight container: If you have leftover cake after serving, cut it into slices and store them in an airtight container. This will keep the cake fresh for up to a month.

Some additional tips for defrosting a wedding cake:

• Avoid defrosting at room temperature: While it may be tempting to leave the cake out on the counter, this can lead to uneven thawing and excess moisture. The refrigerator provides a more controlled environment for gradual defrosting.
• Use a container or box: If you need to transport the cake after defrosting, place it in a cake box or airtight container to protect it from damage and maintain freshness.
• Discuss with your baker: Different types of cakes and fillings have varying suitability for freezing and defrosting. Be sure to consult your baker about the best methods for preserving and defrosting your specific wedding cake.

Alternatives to saving the top tier

There are several alternatives to saving the top tier of your wedding cake. Here are some options:

Enjoy the Cake with Your Partner

If you don't want to save the top tier of your wedding cake for your first anniversary, you can simply enjoy it with your partner. You could share a slice of the cake when you return from your honeymoon or shortly after the wedding. This way, you can savour the cake while the memory of your wedding day is still fresh.

Order an Anniversary Cake

Another option is to order a fresh, mini replica of your original wedding cake from the same bakery or a local bakery. This way, you can celebrate your anniversary with a cake that tastes just as delicious as the one on your wedding day. Alternatively, you can spice things up by ordering a basic anniversary cake and decorating it with your original wedding cake topper.

Host a Gathering

If there is enough leftover cake, you can invite your wedding party or friends and family over to share it with you. This way, you can relive the memories of your wedding day with your loved ones and create new memories together.

Give it to Guests to Take Home

Instead of saving the top tier, you can give slices of the wedding cake to your guests as favours or allow them to take leftover cake home with them. This way, your guests can continue to enjoy the cake after the wedding, and you won't have to worry about storing it.

Donate the Cake

If you have a significant amount of cake leftover and don't want it to go to waste, consider donating it to a local shelter or food bank. This way, you can bring joy to those in need and ensure that your cake doesn't go to waste.

History of the tradition

The tradition of saving the top tier of a wedding cake dates back to 19th-century England when newlyweds would save the top tier of their wedding cake for their first child's christening. Wedding cakes at the time were dense fruit cakes, which allowed couples to preserve them for long periods. The cakes were packed with juicy preserved fruits, lots of sugar, and lashings of alcohol, which helped to keep them 'fresh'.

As wedding cakes became more elaborate, the christening cake tradition took a back seat. When three-tier cakes became popular, couples would often have a tier left over, which they would save for their first child's christening. Over time, the birth of the first child happened further from the wedding date, and the two events became disassociated. Today, the tradition is to eat the top tier on a couple's first anniversary for good luck in their marriage.

Some historians believe that saving the top tier of the wedding cake was done as a prophecy of good luck. The symbolism behind the tradition is to show the couple's commitment to each other and their hopes for a long and happy marriage.

Why people save the top tier

Saving the top tier of a wedding cake is a tradition that dates back to the 19th century. Back then, it was customary to save the top tier of the cake as a symbol of good luck and a couple's commitment to each other. The cake was typically made of rich fruitcake, which has a much longer shelf life than regular cakes, making it ideal for preservation. Today, some couples still choose to save the top tier of their wedding cake, either to celebrate their first wedding anniversary or the christening of their first child.

In the Victorian era, marriage was often a means to increase the size of one's family. Newlyweds were expected to have their first child within the first year of marriage, and serving the top tier of the wedding cake at the child's christening was a cost-saving measure. While marriages today are more about romance than necessity, the tradition of saving the top tier of the wedding cake has persisted, albeit with a slight shift in purpose. Now, it is seen as a way to remember the wedding day and rekindle those newlywed feelings on the first anniversary.

The practicality of saving the top tier of a wedding cake may be questioned, especially considering the delicate decorations and varied cake types used today. However, some modern wedding cakes are designed with a thicker and denser top tier to prolong their shelf life. Additionally, certain types of cakes, such as chocolate, carrot, or fruitcake, tend to last longer and taste better after being frozen.

To ensure the top tier of the wedding cake stays fresh, proper preservation techniques are essential. This includes removing all flowers and adornments, chilling the cake in the refrigerator, wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap, and storing it in an airtight container in the freezer. Even with these measures, the cake may still be slightly stale after a year, but it can be a fun tradition for couples to relive their wedding memories together.

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