Opera cake –Indulge in the exquisite flavors of the classic Opera Cake, a French dessert that seamlessly marries the richness of chocolate with the lightness of almond sponge. This elegant cake is perfect for special occasions or as a delightful treat to impress your guests. Below is a detailed recipe to guide you in crafting this sophisticated dessert.
Classic Opera Cake
This layered cake features coffee-soaked almond sponge, rich chocolate ganache, and coffee buttercream, all harmoniously combined to create an unforgettable flavor profile.
Ingredients
- For the Almond Sponge:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 5 large eggs, separated
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- For the Coffee Syrup:
- 1 cup brewed coffee
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- For the Coffee Buttercream:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons brewed coffee
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Chocolate Ganache:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together almond flour, all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks and add the melted butter. Mix well.
- Gradually combine the wet and dry ingredients until smooth.
- In another bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold them into the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
- For the coffee syrup, combine brewed coffee and sugar in a saucepan over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool.
- To prepare the coffee buttercream, beat the softened butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar, brewed coffee, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- For the ganache, heat the heavy cream until just simmering, then pour over the chopped chocolate. Let sit for a minute before stirring until smooth; add butter and mix until glossy.
- Once the sponge is cooled, cut it into three equal layers. Brush each layer with the coffee syrup. Layer one on a serving platter, spread a layer of coffee buttercream, then add another sponge layer, a layer of ganache, and repeat until all layers are assembled.
- Chill the assembled cake for at least an hour before serving. Slice and enjoy the delightful layers of the classic Opera Cake!
Impress your family and friends with this luxurious dessert that is as stunning as it is delicious!