Preserving a Wedding Cake
The first wedding anniversary is always a special occasion, and among the string of traditions couples follow in order to make it a memorable day, is the custom of freezing the top tier of the wedding cake, and enjoying it a year later on the first anniversary.
Nowadays, couples tend to be a little uncertain about the prospect of thawing out and eating a cake that has been sitting in the freezer for 365 days, and many opt to just order a fresh cake tier, of the same flavour and with the same decorations as their original wedding cake, to enjoy on the first anniversary.
Admittedly, the process of freezing the cake can be a bit tricky, and aside from the risk of freezer burn, or drying the cake out, there is also the consideration that certain delicate types of cake – such as white cake, or cake with fruit and whipped cream fillings – are not likely to make it in the freezer for a year.
However, if you are determined to savour the nostalgia by sharing the top tier from your wedding cake on your one-year anniversary, here are a few instructions you can follow, in order to ensure that your cake is perfectly preserved and ready to eat when you desire.
Things Required:
– Plastic wrap
– A freezer
– An air-tight container
Instructions
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1
When ordering the cake, take into consideration that some cakes freeze better than others. If you intend to freeze the top tier, you may opt for a heartier type of cake, such as hazelnut, almond, chocolate, or carrot cake. You can also get just the top tier to be a more freezer-friendly type of cake, which has more shelf-life.
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2
On your wedding day, instruct the catering staff to remove the top tier of the cake, and box it so that it is safe for transport. Prior to the wedding, appoint one reliable person to take the cake home at the end of the night.
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3
Once the cake is home safe, the person who you have entrusted it to will need to remove the trimmings, such as sugar flowers, ornaments and decorations – however, you might want to keep the cake topper safe, so that you can re-use it on the one-year anniversary.
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4
Next, the cake needs to go in the freezer for up to 2 hours, in order to harden the icing. Once this is done, the cake must be taken out, and wrapped up in several layers of plastic wrap (do not use aluminium foil as it causes freezer burn). Care must be taken to ensure that the cake is wrapped snugly, and there are no air bubbles.
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5
Then, proceed to seal the cake in the air-tight container, and place it in the freezer. You might want to tie a ribbon around it so you don’t confuse it for something else, or accidentally throw it out.
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6
Throughout the year, the cake needs to be kept in the freezer at all times, and cannot be opened or removed until it is ready to be eaten. This means couples who might end up moving around a lot need to think this through – storing it in a reliable friend or relative’s freezer might suffice.
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7
One year later, on your anniversary, remove the box, and allow it to thaw for 48 hours in the refrigerator, and then at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours, after which it will be ready to eat.
