The Sweet Tradition Of Eating Saved Wedding Cake

The tradition of saving the top tier of a wedding cake to eat a year later has its roots in ancient Rome, where couples ate wedding cake for good luck. In the 19th century, couples saved the top tier of their wedding cake to eat at their first child's christening, which was expected to occur within the first year of marriage. Today, the tradition has evolved, and couples save the top tier of their wedding cake to eat on their one-year anniversary. While some people believe that eating the saved wedding cake brings good luck, others consider it a way to celebrate their anniversary and relive their wedding day. However, it is important to note that the taste and texture of the cake may not be as enjoyable after being frozen for a year.

The origins of the tradition

The tradition of saving the top tier of a wedding cake and eating it a year later has its origins in the 18th or 19th century in Great Britain. Back then, wedding cakes were primarily made with preserved fruit or chocolate, which gave them a much longer shelf life than modern cakes. Couples would save the top tier of their cake and eat it at the christening of their first child, which was expected to happen within the first year of marriage. This practice was considered good luck, and some believed that cutting into the top tier before the one-year mark would bring bad luck.

In ancient Rome, couples also ate wedding cake for good luck, though it is unclear if this was specifically related to the tradition of saving the top tier.

Today, the tradition of saving the top tier of the wedding cake has evolved. Couples now often save it to eat on their one-year anniversary, rather than at the christening of their first child. While some still consider it good luck, others simply view it as a way to relive their wedding day and create new memories. However, it is important to note that modern cakes may not taste as good or be as safe to eat after being frozen for a year.

How to store the cake

Storing your wedding cake for a year is a long-standing tradition, but it's not going to taste as good as it did on the day. Freezing is the best way to preserve your cake, but it's still going to be stale and the texture won't be great.

Here's how to store your wedding cake to give it the best chance of tasting fresh:

• Let your baker know you plan to save the cake so they can adjust the ingredients for a longer shelf life.
• Before the wedding, choose someone to be responsible for saving the cake. Identify what you're saving (slice, mini-cake or top tier) and bring a container to the wedding that's large enough to hold it.
• Remove any decorations like the cake topper, flowers and cardboard. These may cause a reaction or spoil quickly. If you want to save sugar flowers as a memento, set them aside in a dry, room-temperature location.
• Place the cake in the refrigerator to chill and harden the icing. This will make it easier to wrap and prevent the plastic wrap from sticking.
• Wrap the cake in several layers of plastic wrap. Don't use aluminium foil as your base layer, as it will stick to the frosting and cause freezer burn.
• Place the wrapped cake in an airtight container or freezer bag.
• Store in a freezer for a year, making sure it's not defrosting and refreezing.
• To defrost, place the cake in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours. Then, remove the cake from its packaging and let it sit at room temperature for a few hours before serving.

Remember, certain types of cake will last longer and taste better after a year. Chocolate, almond or carrot cake will have more longevity than a white, fruit-filled or whipped cream-topped cake.

Food safety concerns

Eating a wedding cake a year after the event can be a risky affair. Cakes can spoil over time, and improper storage can lead to bacterial growth, which can cause food poisoning. Warm temperatures and high humidity can cause mould, and cream fillings and frostings are particularly susceptible to spoilage.

Freezing is the best way to preserve a wedding cake, but it must be done correctly to prevent freezer burn. The cake should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, then covered with aluminium foil and placed in an airtight container. Even with these precautions, the cake may still suffer from texture and flavour changes, becoming dry and hard, and developing an unappealing taste.

Before consuming a year-old wedding cake, it is important to check for signs of spoilage. A visual inspection for mould or unusual colours, a smell test for off or sour odours, and a texture check for hardness are recommended. A small taste test can also be performed if the cake passes the other checks.

Some couples choose to forgo the risks of eating stale cake and instead order a replica of their original cake for their anniversary, or opt for other treats such as cupcakes, cookies, or a dessert table.

Alternatives to eating year-old cake

While the tradition of eating a year-old wedding cake is long-honoured, there are several alternatives to consider if you don't want to eat a year-old cake. Firstly, you can opt for a fresh replica of your wedding cake. Many bakers offer to recreate the top tier of your wedding cake or make a miniature version for your anniversary. This way, you can enjoy a delicious, freshly baked cake while still commemorating your special day.

Another alternative is to skip the cake altogether and choose other celebratory treats. Cupcakes, pies, donuts, strudels, and cookies are all popular options that don't require the same preservation techniques as a cake. You can also offer a variety of dessert options, such as a dessert table or a unique treat like an ice cream truck or sundae bar.

If you still want to honour the tradition of eating a year-old cake but are concerned about taste and preservation, consider choosing a cake that freezes well. Oil-based cakes, such as carrot or chocolate, tend to freeze better than butter-based cakes. Fruit cakes are also ideal candidates for freezing due to their dense texture. When it comes to frosting, buttercream holds up well in the freezer. Avoid fruit-based fillings, as they may alter the texture of the cake.

Finally, if you want to preserve your wedding cake but don't want to eat it a year later, there are other ways to do so. You can have your wedding photographer take beautiful photos of the cake to look back on or display your cake topper as a keepsake.

People's experiences with eating their saved wedding cake

There are mixed reviews when it comes to people's experiences with eating their saved wedding cake. Some people have said that the cake tasted amazing even after being frozen for a year, while others have said that it was inedible and a "frostbitten mess". One couple even got food poisoning from eating their year-old wedding cake.

The success of eating a saved wedding cake seems to depend on how well it is wrapped and stored. Many people recommend wrapping the cake in multiple layers of plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn and then placing it in a small box in the freezer. One person said that their cake "tasted amazing even after being frozen for a year" because it was "wrapped really well". Another person said that their cake was a "frostbitten mess" because it was "not wrapped properly".

Some couples choose to forego eating their saved wedding cake altogether and instead order a fresh cake from their baker on their anniversary. This way, they can still enjoy the tradition without having to eat stale cake.

Overall, it seems that people's experiences with eating their saved wedding cake vary. While some have enjoyed a delicious treat, others have been disappointed by the taste or even gotten sick. It is important to properly store the cake if you plan on eating it after a year, and even then, there is no guarantee that it will taste good.

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