How to Freeze Your Cake and Eat It, Too!
How to Freeze Your Wedding Cake and Eat It, Too!
The long honored tradition for newly married couples is to freeze the top tier of their wedding cake. This way they can enjoy it on their first anniversary for good luck. The cake freezing ritual stems from a 19th-century convention. Weddings were celebrated with liqueur soaked fruitcakes. The newlyweds saved the top tier for their first child’s christening. Many believed it to be an omen of good luck.
There are lots of opinions out there about the taste of a cake that has been frozen for a year. We have field tested several methods. Follow these few short steps and you’ll find that your cake has maintained its moistness as well as its flavor.
CHILL
Remove any decorations from your cake. Place the cake in the fridge without any wrappings for 1 to 2 hours. Or until the icing is firm to the touch and able to withstand some handling. Keep in mind that butter absorbs odors like a sponge. So unless you find onion flavored buttercream appetizing, don’t place it next to your leftovers.
FREEZER BURN PROTECTION
Wrap the cake in two or even three layers of plastic wrap. Keep the wrap close to the body of the cake. Make sure that there are no gaps/tears that will allow air in or out. Freezer burn is caused by water molecules migrating from the cake’s core to its surface to form ice crystals. The less air available, the less room there is for ice crystals to form. So, a snug airtight wrap is key.
ENCASEMENT
Place your cake in a box and again wrap with plastic wrap. The box serves two purposes. First, it physically protects your cake from tears, dents, and smells from neighboring items. Secondly the layer of cool air inside the box acts as extra insulation against the self-destroying functions in most freezers. Partially defrosting and re-freezing anything will deteriorate its quality over time.
DEEP FREEZE
Wrap the entire box in at least two layers of foil for extra protection and place in your freezer in a well ventilated section. Freeze your wedding cake and let it sit undisturbed for 363 days. If you are planning to move within the year, leave the cake in the freezer of a friend or family member to avoid the defrosting and re-freezing process.
THAW
On day 364, remove the cake box from the freezer and thaw in the refrigerator with the box, plastic wrap and foil entirely intact for 24 hours. Just before serving, unwrap all the layers and leave your cake out at room temperature for about one hour. Then slice and enjoy!
Just remember, the best tip we can offer is that AIR is the enemy. Make those layers and seals as air-tight as possible and your cake should be fine.
These gorgeous cakes were created by Jo’s Custom Cakes, Katelin Hayes Desserts, Jenifer’s Cakes and Signature Cakes by Vicki.
