Freezing Wedding Cake: An Old Tradition Worth Keeping?

Freezing the top tier of a wedding cake is a long-standing tradition, but why do people do it? The custom, which began in the 18th or 19th century in Great Britain, was originally intended to preserve a tier of the cake to be served at the christening of the couple's first child, which would typically occur within the first year of marriage. Over time, the tradition evolved, and now, couples often save the tier to eat on their first wedding anniversary. Freezing the cake is a way to commemorate the bond formed and to renew vows, as the first year of marriage is often the most challenging. While some couples still follow the original custom, others skip having a wedding cake altogether, opting for cupcakes, doughnuts, or even DIY s'mores bars.

How to freeze a wedding cake

Freezing a wedding cake is a great way to preserve a memory from your wedding day. It is a tradition for couples to save the top tier of their wedding cake to eat on their first anniversary. Here is a detailed guide on how to freeze a wedding cake:

Timing:

It is best to freeze the top tier of your cake as close to your wedding day as possible. Ideally, it should be prepped for freezing on the morning after the wedding.

Prep the frosting:

Remove any decorations from the top tier, such as real flowers, sugar flowers, or a cake topper. Place the cake in the freezer for one to two hours or until the frosting hardens. This will prevent the frosting from sticking to the plastic wrap when you wrap the cake.

Wrap and freeze:

Gather your supplies: plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and a zippered plastic freezer bag. Wrap the cake tightly in three layers of plastic wrap, pushing it against the cake to remove any air bubbles. Then, cover it with three layers of aluminum foil and place it in the plastic bag, removing as much air as possible. Put the wrapped cake in the back of your freezer.

Thawing:

A few days before your anniversary, take the cake out of the freezer and remove the wrapping. Place the cake in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours to thaw. It will be ready to slice and enjoy by the time your first-anniversary celebration arrives.

Cake types:

While most wedding cakes can be frozen, certain types may not freeze or taste as well after thawing. Cakes with delicate textures, such as sponge cake, or those with whipped cream or fresh fruit fillings, may not keep well. Heartier cakes, such as chocolate, carrot, hazelnut, or almond, are better options for freezing.

Alternative options:

If you are concerned about the quality of your frozen cake, you can consider other options. You can order a replica of your wedding cake from your baker to enjoy on your anniversary, or you can slice and vacuum seal individual servings of your cake before freezing, as this has worked for some couples.

Freezing a wedding cake is a great way to savour a piece of your special day and create a memorable first-anniversary celebration.

How to defrost a wedding cake

Freezing a wedding cake is a great way to preserve a memory from your wedding day. Many couples choose to save the top tier of their wedding cake to enjoy on their first anniversary. This tradition is a special way to commemorate your bond and reflect on your relationship and wedding highlights.

• Timing: Ideally, you should defrost the cake a few days before your anniversary.
• Refrigerate: Place the frozen cake in the refrigerator to allow it to thaw gradually. This will take around 24 to 48 hours.
• Keep it covered: Ensure the cake remains in its wrapping or bag while defrosting to prevent it from drying out.
• Bring to room temperature: About two hours before serving, remove the cake from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Allow it to come to room temperature so that it is ready to enjoy!

Some things to keep in mind:

• The cake may not taste exactly as it did on your wedding day. It may be a little drier or have a different texture.
• If the cake has been properly wrapped and stored, it should be safe to eat. However, if you notice any signs of spoilage, such as an odd smell or appearance, it is best to discard it.
• If you are concerned about the taste or quality, you can always order a replica cake from your baker to enjoy on your anniversary.

Enjoy your special treat and happy anniversary!

The history of the tradition

The tradition of freezing the wedding cake dates back to the 18th or 19th century in Great Britain. Back then, wedding cakes were primarily fruit cakes or chocolate cakes, which had a much longer shelf life than modern cakes. Couples would preserve the top tier of their wedding cake by stashing it in the freezer and eat it when their first child was christened, which was likely to happen within the first year of marriage. Some believed that the practice was good luck, while others held that cutting the top tier before the one-year mark was bad luck.

Over time, the tradition of saving the wedding cake evolved and is no longer associated with the arrival of a couple's first child. Instead, it has become a way to celebrate a couple's one-year anniversary, as the first year of marriage is often considered the hardest. Eating the preserved cake is a way to honour that achievement and a symbolic way to renew their vows.

Today, many couples still choose to follow this tradition, although some opt to skip it as the cake may not taste very good after being frozen for a year. There are alternatives to this tradition, such as having the baker recreate a fresh top tier or a mini-replica of the original cake for the couple to enjoy on their anniversary.

Why people are choosing not to follow the tradition

Freezing the top tier of a wedding cake to eat on your first anniversary is a long-standing tradition, but many couples are now choosing not to follow it. Here are some reasons why:

• The tradition is no longer considered a good omen. In the past, couples saved the top tier of their wedding cake to eat at their first child's christening, but with societal norms changing, couples are now starting their families later, or not at all. As a result, the original meaning behind the tradition has been lost for some people.
• The cake often doesn't taste as good after being frozen. While it is safe to eat cake that has been frozen for a year, it may not taste as fresh and may have a stale or sweaty texture. It could also have picked up off-flavours from the freezer.
• The type of cake may not be suitable for freezing. Modern wedding cakes are often delicate sponges or cakes with whipped cream toppings, which do not freeze well. Cakes with fresh fruit fillings may also not be suitable for freezing.
• The process of freezing a wedding cake is time-consuming and requires specific steps to be followed to ensure the cake stays fresh. This includes removing decorations, chilling the cake, wrapping it in multiple layers of plastic wrap and foil, and storing it in an airtight container at the back of the freezer.
• Some couples may not want to wait a year to eat their cake and would rather enjoy it sooner. There are no rules about how long you should wait, and some couples choose to eat their frozen cake on their one-month, three-month, or six-month anniversary instead.
• There are other ways to preserve the memory of the wedding cake. Couples can opt to have their baker make a smaller replica of the top tier to eat on their anniversary, or they can simply enjoy looking at beautiful photos of the cake taken by their wedding photographer.

Alternatives to freezing a wedding cake

Freezing a slice of wedding cake has been a tradition for many years, but there are now some great alternatives to this custom. Here are some modern ways to preserve memories of your special day, without having to defrost a year-old cake!

Firstly, why not opt for a cake made entirely of sugar paste? These cakes are designed to last and can be kept as a beautiful, decorative reminder of your wedding day. Sugar paste cakes can be moulded into any design, from traditional tiered cakes to more modern, abstract shapes. You could even have your sugar paste cake on display at your first-anniversary party!

Another option is to have a small, fresh cake made for your first anniversary. Many bakeries now offer this service, where they will recreate a smaller version of your original wedding cake, meaning you can enjoy a fresh, delicious cake on your anniversary, without the need for freezing.

If you want to keep it traditional, you could also opt for having an extra, fresh tier of your wedding cake kept aside, to be enjoyed at the christening of your first child. This is a lovely way to continue the celebration of your marriage and the creation of your family.

Finally, for something a little different, why not try a cake made from cheese? A 'cheese wedding cake' is made from tiers of different cheeses and can be a great, savoury alternative to a traditional cake. You could then enjoy the 'top tier' on your anniversary, with no need for freezing!

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