How to Freeze Your Wedding Cake

If you’ve chosen to serve wedding cake on your big day, it’s sure to make a statement. A lot of thought and consideration goes into choosing the perfect flavor for you and your guests to enjoy. Not to mention working closely with your baker for a beautiful design to match your wedding’s overall aesthetic.

For many couples, saving the top tier of their wedding cake is a top priority. But how exactly do you follow this tradition? Luckily, it takes just a few steps. Below, find tips and tricks on how to freeze wedding cake for the best results—as well as why couples choose to do this.

Why Freeze Your Wedding Cake?

Freezing your wedding cake is the best way to preserve the top tier of your wedding day sweet for your first anniversary. This age-old tradition keeps the wedding cake tucked away for when a couple is celebrating their first year of marriage. Eating the exact cake served at your wedding is a special way to commemorate your bond while looking back on the memories from your wedding day.

Do You Need to Freeze Wedding Cake?

You may love the idea of following the tradition of freezing your cake and eating it one year later. However, to find out if it’s the best fit for you, or even necessary, it’s helpful to ask your baker. Many bakers offer the opportunity to pick up a replica of the top tier of your wedding cake on your anniversary instead. That way, you’ll be digging your fork into a freshly baked cake. However, for many couples, freezing the top tier of the actual multi-tiered cake served at their wedding is an important, special way to celebrate their bond.

It's also important to consult your baker regarding the flavor of the cake you plan to freeze. Typically, cakes with buttercream frosting will freeze well. However, if you opted for a more delicate cake such as a sponge cake or a whipped cream topping, they may not keep as well. Cakes with fresh fruit fillings may not freeze as well either.

How to Prep, Wrap, and Freeze Your Cake

If you’ve chosen to keep the top tier of your wedding cake, there are several steps to take to freeze it correctly. Overall, the most important key is to be sure air can’t get at the cake while it’s in the freezer for a full year! Nobody wants freezer-burnt cake.

Step 1: Consider Timing

First up, be sure you’re freezing the top tier of your cake as close to your wedding day as possible. Ideally, it should be prepped for freezing on your wedding day after the cake cutting or the morning after. Remove decorations from the top tier such as real flowers, sugar flowers, or a cake topper.

Step 2: Prep the Frosting

It’s important to let the frosting chill and set on the exterior of the cake before wrapping it with plastic wrap. This will avoid making a big mess from the soft frosting. Place the cake tier on a baking sheet or plate and let it sit in the freezer for one to two hours to allow the frosting to harden.

Step 3: Wrap and Freeze

Once the frosting is set and ready to wrap, use plastic wrap. Fully wrap the cake, ensuring there are no tiny open holes or folds. Place the wrapped cake in an airtight container or a zippered plastic freezer bag. This will add another layer of protection to be sure air isn’t getting at the cake.

Place the wrapped cake in the back of your freezer and come back to it one year later!

How to Thaw Frozen Wedding Cake

Once your one-year anniversary is approaching (congrats!), it’s time to think about defrosting your frozen wedding cake. To avoid condensation forming from a quick defrosting process, it’s best to give the frozen cake tier 24 to 48 hours to thaw. Pull the cake out of the freezer just ahead of your anniversary and leave it in the fridge. It will be ready to slice and enjoy together by the time your first-anniversary celebration rolls around.