How to Freeze and Store Your Wedding Cake

Whether it’s to devour on your first anniversary or have on display at the christening of your first child, there are lots of reasons why you might want to freeze and store your wedding cake.

The tradition of saving the top tier of a wedding cake stems from the days when couples would get married and immediately plan on having their first child – not only was storing wedding cake a practical way to avoid having to order a cake for the christening, but it was thought to bring good luck, too.

Of course, nowadays, starting a family immediately (or having another child) might not be in the plans of all newlyweds – if at all – so more often than not, couples will save the top tier of their wedding cake to enjoy on their first anniversary instead.

But this sweet tradition will only work if you have the correct knowledge on how to preserve a wedding cake properly – that’s why we tapped up a cake-making expert for her tips on the best ways to freeze a wedding cake, with advice on what to do if you’re lacking freezer space, too.

Freezing a Wedding Cake: Everything You Need to Know

From which cakes freeze best (can you freeze sponge wedding cake?!) to how long you can freeze cake for, we sought the answers to your most commonly asked questions about freezing wedding cake

• Can You Freeze a Wedding Cake?
• How to Wrap and Store a Wedding Cake For Freezing: Step by Step Guide
• How to Defrost the Top of a Wedding Cake

Can You Freeze a Wedding Cake?

If you take the appropriate steps outlined below, you can absolutely freeze wedding cake, though it’s worth noting that some cake varieties will freeze better than others. Buttercream and fondant-iced sponge cakes freeze well, for example, and fruit cakes can also be frozen.

“On the other hand, cakes with fresh fruit, cream or cream cheese fillings don’t defrost as well and may become soggy or separate,” explains Michelle Ware, wedding cake designer and founder of A Little Bit Naughty. “If you plan on freezing your cake, always consult with your cake maker about your chosen wedding cake flavours and their suitability for freezing.”

If you plan on freezing the top tier of your wedding cake, ensure it remains intact at your reception. Have the bottom tiers of your cake sliced up for guests and pop the top tier in a box so it doesn’t spoil.

Can you freeze a wedding cake with icing or decorations?

“Luxury cakes with icing or fondant can be frozen but take care to remove large decorations such as sugar flowers and toppers first,” says Michelle. “To preserve the appearance of the icing or fondant, place the cake uncovered on a flat plate or baking sheet in the freezer for one hour. This will allow the outer layer to firm up before wrapping."

How long can you freeze wedding cake for?

This will depend on the type of wedding cake you’re planning on freezing. Traditional fruit cakes preserve the best – often for more than a year – while sponge cakes will generally store for 1-3 months. Be sure to check the cake periodically when it’s stored in the freezer to make sure there is no ice building up on it.

Is it safe to freeze a wedding cake?

Providing the appropriate steps are followed, it is safe to freeze and eat your wedding cake after defrosting. The cool temperate will ensure it stays fresh.

How to Wrap and Store a Wedding Cake For Freezing: Step by Step Guide

How do you freeze wedding cake? Our step-by-step guide to storing your wedding cake below will keep it as fresh as the day it was baked!

• Ensure all ribbon, cake toppers and large decorations have been removed from the cake before freezing. Small decorations, especially those made from icing, can be left on.
• If the cake is on a cardboard base, which is not wrapped in foil, transfer the cake onto foil-covered cardboard or a plastic plate.
• Place the cake, uncovered, in the freezer for an hour. This will ensure the icing goes hard so it doesn’t stick to the cling film when wrapped.
• Remove the cake from the freezer and wrap it tightly in several layers of cling film, followed by foil, then place into a freezer bag. “The wrapping should be airtight to keep air and freezer smells out,” says Michelle. “If you have a vacuum sealer, this is also a perfect way to freeze your cake. But a little tip for those who don’t – use a straw to suck out the air before sealing your freezer bag!”
• Place the cake in a clean freezer drawer until it has fully hardened. Sponge cakes will last up to three months, fruit cakes can last a year or longer if stored correctly.

Tip: “Freeze individual slices for enjoyment later!” says Michelle. “Flash freeze for 30-60 minutes before wrapping and storing in bags.”

What’s the best way to store leftover wedding cake if you don’t want to freeze it?

“If you have leftover slices, the best way to store wedding cake is to keep it in an airtight container, either at room temperature or in the fridge. The slices will keep for 2-3 days, depending on the cake type,” says Michelle.

“Again, check with your cake maker as they will be able to advise on the shelf life and how best to store,” she adds.

After paying out for your wedding cake, it’s also a nice idea to send spare slices to guests who couldn’t attend. “Use small cardboard postal boxes – but consider the weather and delivery time,” says Michelle.

“Avoid sending cakes made with cream or fresh fruit, and always ask your cake maker for ingredient labels, especially if sending to people with allergies or dietary restrictions,” she adds.

How to Defrost the Top of a Wedding Cake

Ahh, the tricky bit. It’s important to defrost your cake slowly and carefully to avoid condensation and marks on the icing, especially on cakes that have fondant.

“Defrost your cake slowly in the fridge overnight to avoid damaging the icing or fondant,” says Michelle. “For fruit cakes, allow 1-2 days to fully thaw before bringing to room temperature for serving.”

Will the cake still taste good after a year in the freezer?

If you follow the steps for freezing your wedding cake correctly, there’s no reason why a traditional fruit cake shouldn’t taste as delicious one year on as it did on your wedding day!

Remember fruit cakes are the cake type that keeps the best. Sponge cakes typically fare better after 1-3 months.

"If you're keen on freezing or storing your wedding cake, it's always best to tell your cake maker this in advance so they can advise on the best type of cake to keep," says Michelle. "For traditional couples looking to save the top tier for the christening of their child, fruit cake is ideal as it stores the longest." 

Discover even more wedding day traditions with our ultimate guide to wedding day traditions from the UK and around the world.