Opera Cake - The Recipe

I fell in love with the Opera Cake I made for the first time and will look no further for the recipe. As promised, I have uploaded the recipe here, which I have slightly modified the steps according to my preference of sequel. Or, you can see the original recipe here.

L’Opera
Source: The Splendid Table

The Cake
• 6 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 cups (225 grams) ground blanched almonds
• 2 1/4 cups (225 grams) confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 6 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (70 grams) all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons (45 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled briefly

1. To make the cake: Position the racks to divide the oven into thirds and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line two 12 1/2-x15 1/2-inch (31-x-39-cm) jelly-roll pans with parchment paper and brush with melted butter. (This is in addition to the quantity in the ingredient list.)
2. Working in a clean dry mixer bowl fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Add the granulated sugar and beat until the peaks are stiff and glossy. If you do not have another mixer bowl, gently scrape the whites into another bowl.
3. In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the almonds, confectioners' sugar and whole eggs on medium speed until light and voluminous, about 3 minutes. Add the flour and beat on low speed only until it disappears. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the meringue into the almond mixture, then fold in the melted butter. Divide the batter between the pans and spread it evenly to cover the entire surface of each pan.
4. Bake the cakes for 5 to 7 minutes, or until they are lightly browned and just springy to the touch. Put the pans on a heatproof counter, cover each with a sheet of parchment or wax paper, turn the cakes over and unmold. Carefully peel away the parchment, turn the parchment over and use it to cover the exposed sides of the cakes. Let the cakes come to room temperature between the parchment or wax paper sheets. (The cakes can be made up to 1 day ahead, wrapped and kept at room temperature.)

The Coffee Syrup
• 1/2 cup (125g) water
• 1/3 cup (65g) sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons (7 grams) instant espresso or coffee

5. To make the syrup: Stir everything together in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Cool. (The syrup can be covered and refrigerated for up to 1 week.)

The Coffee Buttercream
• 2 tablespoons (10 grams) instant espresso or coffee
• 2 tablespoons (15 grams) boiling water
• 1 cup (100 grams) sugar
• 1/4 cup (30 grams) water
• Pulp of ¼ vanilla bean (or ½ tsp vanilla essence)
• 1 large whole egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1¾ sticks (7 ounces; 200 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature

6. To make the buttercream: Make a coffee extract by dissolving the instant espresso in the boiling water; set aside.

for the following I’d do step 8 then 7, and continue with step 9.
7. Bring the sugar, water and vanilla bean pulp to a boil in a small saucepan; stir just until the sugar dissolves. Continue to cook without stirring until the syrup reaches 255 degrees F (124 degrees C), as measured on a candy or instant-read thermometer. Pull the pan from the heat.
8. While the sugar is heating, put the egg and the yolk in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat until the eggs are pale and foamy. When the sugar is at temperature, reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly pour in the syrup. Inevitably, some syrup will spin onto the sides of the bowl - don't try to stir the spatters into the eggs. Raise the speed to medium-high and continue to beat until the eggs are thick, satiny and room temperature, about 5 minutes.
9. Working with a rubber spatula, beat the butter until it is soft and creamy but not oily. With the mixer on medium speed, steadily add the butter in 2-tablespoon (30-gram) chunks. When all the butter has been added, raise the speed to high and beat until the buttercream is thickened and satiny. Beat in the coffee extract. Chill the buttercream, stirring frequently, until it is firm enough to be spread and stay where it is spread when topped with a layer of cake, about 20 minutes. (The buttercream can be packed airtight and refrigerated for 4 days or frozen for 1 month; before using, bring it to room temperature, then beat to smooth it.)

The Chocolate Ganache
• 8 ounces (240 grams) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup (125 grams) whole milk
• 1/4 cup (30 grams) heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons (2 ounces; 60 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature

10. To make the ganache: Put the chocolate in a medium bowl and keep it close at hand. Bring the milk and cream to a full boil, pour it over the chocolate, wait 1 minute, then stir gently until the ganache is smooth and glossy.
11. Beat the butter until it is smooth and creamy, then stir it into the ganache in 2 to 3 additions. Refrigerate the ganache, stirring every 5 minutes, until it thickens and is spreadable, about 20 minutes. (The ganache can be packed airtight and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for 1 month; bring to room temperature before using.)

The Chocolate Glaze
• 5 ounces (150 grams) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 stick (115 grams) unsalted butter

12. To glaze the cake: Bring the butter to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove the pan from the heat and clarify the butter by spooning off the top foam and pouring the clear yellow butter into a small bowl; discard the milky residue. Melt the chocolate in a bowl over—not touching—simmering water, then stir in the clarified butter. Lift the chilled cake off the parchment-lined pan and place it on a rack. Put the rack over the parchment-lined pan and pour over the glaze, using a long offset spatula to help smooth it evenly across the top. Slide the cake into the refrigerator to set the glaze and chill the cake, which should be served slightly chilled. At serving time, use a long thin knife, dipped in hot water and wiped dry, to carefully trim the sides of the cake so that the drips of glaze are removed and the layers revealed.

13. To assemble the cake: 1) Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Working with one sheet of cake at a time, trim the cake so that you have two pieces: one 10-x-10-inches (25-x-25-cm) square and one 10-x-5-inches (25-x-12.5-cm) rectangle. 2) Place one square of cake on the parchment and 3) moisten the layer with coffee syrup. 4) Spread about three-quarters of the coffee buttercream evenly over the cake. (If the buttercream is soft, put the cake in the freezer for about 10 minutes before proceeding.) 5)Top with the two rectangular pieces of cake, placing them side by side to form a square; 6) moisten with syrup. 7)Spread the ganache over the surface, 8) top with the last cake layer, 9) moisten, then chill the cake in the freezer for about 10 minutes. 10) Cover the top of the cake with a thin layer of coffee buttercream. (This is to smooth the top and ready it for the glaze - so go easy.) Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour or for up to 6 hours; it should be cold when you pour over the glaze. If you're in a hurry, pop the cake into the freezer for about 20 minutes, 11) then continue (with the glaze).

Summary by Fari: 1st layer, moist w coffee syrup, spread ¾ BC, freeze 10 mnt, 2nd layer, moist, spread ganache, 3rd layer, moist, freezw 10 mnt, spread BC, refrigerate 1-6 hrs (or freeze 20 mnt), cover w/ glaze.

Opera Cake with Gold Flake

The first time I made this cake last year, I didn't know that it would steal people's heart by the taste. Not only that, people also appreciate the time and effort I put in making this.

Last year just before Christmas, I made an Opera Cake to enjoy it ourselves at home. However, I did put aside some for an officer at my office building and some for a dear friend. To my surprise, both got back
to me and said they wanted to order one for their special occasions!

My friend ordered straight away for the following week, and the officer said that her niece wanted it for 26th January 2011. That was quite an advance order so far :)

Today I have delivered the cake and really hope that they will enjoy the cake and whatever celebration they may have.

Opera Cake

I was so eager to bake another Opera Cake before the year ends. Had been wanting to do it before my wedding anniversary this mid-month. But I guess my mood just flew off when my darling hubby told me that he would be having company dinner on that very day. Just like last year. So, I put the Opera on hold until a few days later.


When it was done, I quickly divided the cake into a few. This is for free tester for my prospective customers :). Well, it worked alright, because a dear friend straight away asked me to make another one for her daughter's birthday! Not as a birthday cake, though (because her hubby already ordered from a cake shop), but it was a hit! Relatives asking for the recipe. You guys can also have the recipe and bake it yourself. You just need to wait patiently and come back often to see if I have already posted the recipe here... :)) I will also try to upload the 'under progress' picts so you guys can have a better idea on how to do it. But if you think it's too tedious, don't hesitate to give me a buzz and order the cake from me ;)



Here's how my friend, Emi, enjoyed her Opera Cake as her dessert after dinner. (Photo courtesy of Emi on fb)



26 Dec '10

And this is the one that went to Aleza for her daughter's birthday.

Gateau L'Opera

I really didn't know how I ended up making this exclusive cake. I name it exclusive, because the process is somehow complicated. However, I am glad that I have passed the test.

It started when a far relative of mine asked me if I could make tiramisu or gateau africain. Tiramisu isn't a problem, but gateau africain I had not done it yet. She said that she has a few occasion in May, including her birthday and her sis', her wedding anniversary and the arrival of her new baby boy just one week before her birthday.

During the week before her birthday, I was so tempted to make this masterpiece called L'Opera. I had been reading and comparing recipes from different web sites. Somehow my choice fell onto Dorie Greenspan's The Splendid Table whom adapted the recipe from Dalloyau, the Parisian patisserie. I proposed this cake for her birthday and she said okay! Tamtaraaam.....

I started two days in advance by making the joconde (almond cake). In fact all parts of the cake can be made in advance. You can either keep it airtight in the fridge up to a week or in the freezer for up to two months.
After making the joconde I made all the fillings, coffee syrup, coffee buttercream and ganache. I leave the chocolate glaze to do it at the very last minute when the cake is assembled.

What I can tell you, since it was my very first opera, I kept on looking at the recipe and (still) comparing it to others :). So, i ended up quite late since I started. Fortunately, I have to leave all the ingredients in the fridge before starting to assemble them into one piece. Hufff...

The following day, after work and after dinner -hehe- I started assembling the cake. Doing it layer by layer. It was such an exciting process (well, at least for me though :)). I can feel my adrenaline hurried down my spine and I feel the excitement in my blood.

Well, enough said. I'll let you peep into my excitement ;)

Here it is >>



Another thing that I can say is: it is worth the try. Really worth.

[Special thanks to Meita for the challenge]