Opera Cake Recipe : A Luxurious French Delight
Elegant, rich, and irresistibly delicious – Opera Cake is a masterpiece of French pastry! 🇫🇷 This multi-layered dessert features delicate almond sponge cake (Joconde) soaked in coffee syrup, layered with silky coffee buttercream and glossy chocolate ganache. The perfect treat for coffee and chocolate lovers! ☕🍫
🌟 Ingredients:
For the Joconde Sponge Cake:
- 🥚 6 large eggs
- 🍚 6 egg whites
- 🍚 1 ½ cups (150g) almond flour
- 🍚 1 ½ cups (150g) all-purpose flour
- 🍚 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
- ✨ ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 🧈 ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted
For the Coffee Syrup:
- ☕ ½ cup (120ml) strong brewed coffee or espresso
- 🍚 ¼ cup (50g) sugar
For the Coffee Buttercream:
- 🧈 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
- 🍚 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
- ☕ 1 tbsp instant coffee dissolved in 1 tbsp hot water
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- 🍫 7 oz (200g) dark chocolate (70% cocoa), chopped
- 🧈 ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 🧈 2 tbsp unsalted butter
👨🍳 Instructions:
1️⃣ Prepare the Joconde Sponge Cake:
- Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together almond flour, powdered sugar, and whole eggs until fluffy.
- In another bowl, beat egg whites and granulated sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the almond mixture.
- Add the melted butter and sifted all-purpose flour. Mix gently.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 5-7 minutes or until golden.
- Let cool and cut into three equal layers.
2️⃣ Make the Coffee Syrup:
- In a saucepan, combine coffee and sugar, heat until sugar dissolves.
- Let it cool and brush each cake layer generously with the syrup.
3️⃣ Prepare the Coffee Buttercream:
- Beat butter and powdered sugar until creamy.
- Add the dissolved coffee mixture and continue mixing until smooth.
4️⃣ Make the Chocolate Ganache:
- Heat cream and butter in a saucepan until hot but not boiling.
- Pour over chopped chocolate and stir until smooth.
5️⃣ Assemble the Opera Cake:
- Place one layer of Joconde sponge and brush with coffee syrup.
- Spread a thin layer of coffee buttercream.
- Add the second sponge layer, brush with syrup, and spread a layer of ganache.
6️⃣ Finish with Elegance:
- Repeat the process with the final layer, covering it with chocolate ganache.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
- Smooth the top with extra ganache and write “Opera” in melted chocolate for a classic touch.
💡 Pro Tips for the Perfect Opera Cake:
✔ Use strong coffee or espresso for the best flavor! ☕
✔ Chill between layers to make the assembly easier.
✔ Slice with a hot knife for clean, sharp edges!
🌟 Indulge in this exquisite French pastry and impress your guests with homemade elegance! Bon appétit! 🇫🇷✨
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