3 Steps to Take to Freeze the Top Tier of Your Wedding Cake

Among all the beloved wedding traditions, tasting a lovingly decorated cake at the reception is a sweet treat for many couples. It’s more than a dessert — it’s an embodiment of celebration, expertly crafted and flavored to suit your style and taste. And for many, the party doesn’t stop when the final piece is served.

But instead of having a piece—often the top tier—of your wedding cake and eating it, too, you can enjoy a slice, one year after your big day. Whatever the reason — whether it’s for the sentiment or simply relishing in how delicious those flavors were — freezing your wedding cake can be a sentimental way to honor a special milestone.

Cake designer Marla Donovan, the founder of Frosted Ivy Confections, says that saving your cake’s topper is easier than it sounds. But with these three easy steps, you can freeze your cake like a pro and enjoy it on your one-year anniversary with your spouse.

Why Couples Freeze Their Wedding Cake

Saving your wedding cake allows you to share a sweet, lovely treat and memory of your day on your first anniversary. And as you share a piece of that cake, you have a chance to remember, to cherish the time you’ve spent with the person, and to drink to the year ahead.

Prefer a Fresh Cake? Try This Instead

Not sold on eating a year-old frozen cake? You’re not alone. Many bakeshops provide an alternative: a fresh copy of the top layer of your wedding cake. That way, you’ll have something to lift your spirits and celebrate the tradition with: a just-baked treat, no freezer needed.

But for many couples, knowing the proper way to keep and freeze that original top tier is a thoughtful gesture that turns dessert into a memento.

Your step-by-step guide to freezing your wedding cake

If you’ve opted to save your cake, the right preparation makes all the difference when it comes to taste. The primary objective is to shield it from air and moisture, both of which can cause freezer burn.

Step 1: Freeze It Promptly

The top layer should be frozen as quickly as you can manage — ideally, the night of your wedding day or the morning after. Take off all inedible decorations, such as flowers or cake toppers. If you’re going on your honeymoon after the wedding, ask a close friend or family member to take care of this task.

Step 2: Set the Frosting

Allow the frosting to firm slightly before you wrap the cake so that it doesn’t get smeared. Place the top tier on a cookie sheet or other flat surface and freeze it uncovered for 1-2 hours. This helps the outside set up nice and before you wrap it, perfect.

Step 3: Wrap It Right

When the frosting is set, it’s time to wrap the cake up nice and tight. Donovan himself gives the following procedure:

• Wrap the cake in 3 layers of plastic wrap, pressing gently to the surface.
• Then wrap in three layers of aluminum foil to avoid freezer burn.
• Put the wrapped cake in a zippered plastic freezer bag, press out any air. If you have a vacuum sealer, that provides an additional layer of protection.

Then transfer the cake to the back of your freezer, which is the coldest part.

How to Defrost (and Portion) Your Wedding Cake the Right Way

Are you going to save the cake for your anniversary? Transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator 24–48 hours before you are ready to serve it for your celebration. Thawing it gradually is part of the long-term maintenance strategy: It reduces the amount of condensation accompanying the thawing process, which can make it mushy or ruin the flavor.

Once thawed, unwrap and let sit at room temperature for about an hour before serving.

How Long Will It Keep in the Freezer?

Donovan also suggests eating the cake within a year. “One year is optimal,” she says, “but it’s fine to go, say, 18 months in a pinch – but not longer.”

What Wedding Cakes Do Not Freeze Well?

Many cakes freeze gorgeously, but they don’t all remain picture-perfect. Buttercream-frosted cakes usually hold up pretty well in the freezer but the softer ones — like sponge cakes, those with whipped-cream toppings or fresh fruit in the filling — may not taste as fresh after a longer freeze. And whenever possible, be sure to ask your baker what type of cake you’re dealing with before freezing it.

Whether or not food is how you approach memories, preserving your wedding cake is about memory. With a little care and planning, you can transform that sweet slice into an anniversary moment you’ll never forget.