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How Long Do Wedding Cakes Last?
You want your wedding cake to be freshly made for your wedding, but there are bound to be some leftovers at the end of the day. How long a wedding cake lasts after a cake delivery in Sydney can vary depending on several factors, including the ingredients used, how it’s stored, and the type of cake.
That said, the taste and integrity of a wedding cake may change over time. Try to eat it within a few days after the wedding, if possible. If not, we have some suggestions about the type of wedding cake to choose for your wedding reception and some storage tips to help make the cake last longer.
Consider the Ingredients
Wedding cakes are often made with dense, rich flavours, which have a longer shelf life compared to lighter cakes. Fruitcakes are some of the denser cakes and can be stored for several weeks–or even months–if placed in an airtight container and kept in a cool and dry place.
More common types of wedding cakes, such as sponge, buttercream, or fondant cakes with perishable fillings and frosting, are usually refrigerated after an event and need to be eaten within a few days.
Knowing how to extend the life of a wedding cake is important when you consider how much wedding cakes cost and the sentiments associated with the cake from your special day!
Tips for Storing a Wedding Cake
Here are some ideas on how you can extend the freshness and quality of your wedding cake so you can enjoy it for weeks (or longer) to come:
- Remove any decorative items (e.g., fresh flowers) and cake toppers.
- Keep the cake away from direct sunlight and in a cool and dry place.
- Find out what the filling and frosting are made from. If they spoil easily, store the cake in the refrigerator.
- Wrap the cake tightly with several layers of plastic wrap to create an airtight seal or place it in an airtight container. Make sure there are no gaps or exposed cake–this will help make sure it doesn’t dry out or absorb odours from other items in the refrigerator.
- Don’t store the cake in a freezer for an extended period. This could change the texture and taste of the cake.
Just remember that not all cakes are good for long-term storage. Rich and dense cakes with sturdy fillings and frostings tend to hold up better over time.
Centuries-Old Wedding Cake Tradition
Freezing a piece of the wedding cake to eat on a couple’s first anniversary is a tradition that dates back to a nineteenth-century ritual, when couples saved the top tier of a wedding cake for their first child’s christening.
Today, nearly half of all newlyweds save some cake to commemorate one year of marriage. Many also admit that the cake is nearly inedible one year later, although they still choke down a bite as part of the tradition.
To freeze some cake, place it in a freezer-safe container or a zip-lock bag to protect it from freezer burn. Squeeze out any excess air before sealing the container and label the container with the date you put it in the freezer. Try to keep it away from other food items so that it does not absorb any unusual odours or flavours.
On your first anniversary, take the cake out of the freezer and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator for twenty-four to forty-eight hours. After it has thawed, unwrap the cake. The texture and taste might have changed after a year, but it will still have sentimental value, and taking a bite may be a tradition you want to honour.
Keep in mind that the tradition of saving a piece of wedding cake for a year is more symbolic than a culinary pleasure.
Wrapping Up
Wedding cakes are special–all you have to do is take a look at the selection available from Black Velvet Cakes, ranging from the Multi-Tier Opulent Pearl Wedding Cake to the Multi-Tier Rustic Stucco Wedding Cake with edible flower decorations to understand why someone would want to make their cake last for as long as possible!
Looking for ideas for wedding cupcakes? We love this trend–take a look at our latest post.