How to Freeze Your Wedding Cake in 3 Simple Steps

Of all the wedding traditions out there, enjoying wedding cake during the reception is one of the most beloved. A delicious dessert that makes a décor-level statement at your party, was baked with your exact flavor specifications in mind, and sweetly marks your union? What's not to love? It gets better: The fun doesn't have to stop after the last piece is sliced. So many couples save a piece (which is most often the top tier) of their big-day dessert to mark their next big milestone in married life, the one-year anniversary.

Tradition aside, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to learn how to freeze wedding cake. A lot of thought and consideration went into choosing the perfect buttercream texture, layer flavor, and filling. Not to mention, you worked closely with your baker on a beautiful design that matched your wedding’s overall aesthetic. We completely understand wanting to turn a piece of your confection into a keepsake—even if it is a temporary one.

That's why 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 three steps, says Deborah Lauren, the founder of City Sweets & Confections. Below, find her tips and tricks on how to freeze wedding cake for the best results—plus wrapping, thawing, and food safety tips to ensure your enjoy every bite on your first anniversary.

Why You Should Freeze Your Wedding Cake

Freezing your wedding cake is one of the best ways to preserve a memory from your wedding day—one that you get to relive during your first anniversary. Eating the exact cake served at your reception is a special way to commemorate your bond when you hit this milestone, and it also offers a perfect opportunity to discuss all of your big-day highlights and special relationship moments before you enter your second year of marriage.

An Alternative to Freezing Your Wedding Cake

You may love the idea of following the tradition of freezing your cake and eating it one year later—or you might not. If eating frozen cake isn't for you, check back in with your baker. Many of these vendors will make you a replica of your wedding cake's top tier, which is something you can enjoy on your anniversary instead. That way, you’ll be digging your fork into a freshly baked cake, instead of a frozen one.

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.

How to Prep, Wrap, and Freeze Your Wedding 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 key is to be sure air can’t get at the cake while it’s in the freezer for a full year, which is why properly wrapping the confection is so important. After all, wants freezer-burnt wedding 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. If you'll be on your honeymoon at this time, tap a relative to complete this task for you, shares Lauren.

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 before you wrap it, shares Lauren.

Step 3: Wrap and Freeze

Once the frosting is set and ready to wrap, gather your supplies: you'll need plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and a zippered plastic freezer bag. "Wrap it tightly, pushing the plastic wrap against the cake (the actual cake, not the box)," says Lauren, who notes to make sure there are no tiny open holes or folds. "Do three layers of plastic wrap and cover it three layers of aluminum foil. Then, put it in a plastic bag, pushing out as much air as possible." This bag will add another layer of protection to be sure air isn’t getting at the cake—and if you have a vacuum sealer, that would be ideal, she explains.

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

How to Thaw Frozen Wedding Cake

A few days before your one-year anniversary, get ready to defrost your 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.

How Long Can You Freeze Your Wedding Cake?

According to Lauren, your frozen week should be enjoyed by the one-year mark. "I would eat it on the-year anniversary when it's meant to be eaten, or at the year-and-a-half mark at the latest," she says.

Wedding Cake Types You Shouldn't Freeze

While almost all wedding cakes can be frozen, not all types will freeze well (or taste good after they are thawed)—so it's important to consult your baker regarding the flavor of the cake you plan to pop into the freezer. Typically, wedding cakes with buttercream frosting will freeze (and thaw) well. However, if you opted for a more delicate cake, such as a sponge cake or one with a whipped cream topping, they may not keep as intended. Cakes with fresh fruit fillings may not freeze successfully, either.