Opera Cake

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Opera cake is a chocolate and coffee lover’s dream. It starts with almond sponge cake. Atop the first layer is an espresso infused Italian meringue buttercream, and chocolate ganache is sandwiched between the second and third layers. The whole cake is topped with chocolate glaze.

Opera Cake

My friend Amy is expecting a baby girl early next year, and I was thrilled when I was asked to participate in her virtual shower. I’m so excited to be able to take part in it, especially since Amy and I are due close together and are both having girls. If you don’t know Amy, she is a professional opera singer (and her blog name, Sing for Your Supper, comes from a musical). So when Kelsey, our lovely hostess, asked what I’d be making, it only took me a second to decide on opera cake. It’s a dessert I’ve wanted to make for quite some time, and I couldn’t think of a more fitting occasion.

The first and only opera cake I had prior to making this one came from the freezer section at Trader Joe’s. I was hooked as soon as a tried it, so it was only a matter of time before I decided to make one myself. Eric described this cake as “French tiramisu,” and I think that’s an accurate description. This dessert is made up of a three layers of almond sponge cake that have been moistened with an espresso syrup. Atop the first layer of cake is an espresso infused Italian meringue buttercream, and chocolate ganache is sandwiched between the second and third layers. The whole cake is topped with chocolate glaze. Once the glaze sets, the edges of the cake are removed to display its beautiful layers. This cake is a chocolate and coffee lover’s dream. It’s decadent in flavor but light in texture. I didn’t hesitate to eat the piece from this photo as soon as I was done shooting it.

Though this dessert does take quite a while to make, it’s easily broken down into steps. Each component of the cake can be made in advance, as can the cake itself. It’s a ten inch cake, and the recipe cannot be reduced. If you need less, simply make the full recipe, then cut it into smaller cakes to freeze. It can be kept in the freezer, well wrapped, for up to a month and defrosted in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Make sure to check out Amy’s and Kelsey’s blogs for the full roundup of all the sweet shower recipes.

Opera Cake

  • YIELD: 1 10-inch cake
Ingredients
  • For the cake:

  • 6 large egg whites, at room temperature

  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

  • 2 cups ground blanched almonds

  • 2¼ cups confectioners sugar, sifted

  • 6 large eggs

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled briefly, plus additional for pans

  • For the espresso syrup:

  • ½ cup water

  • ⅓ cup sugar

  • 1½ tablespoons instant espresso

  • For the coffee buttercream:

  • 2 tablespoons instant espresso

  • 2 tablespoons boiling water

  • 1 cup sugar

  • ¼ cup water

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

  • 1 large whole egg

  • 1 large egg yolk

  • 1¾ sticks (14 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature

  • For the chocolate ganache:

  • 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

  • ½ cup whole milk

  • ¼ cup heavy cream

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

  • For the chocolate glaze:

  • 5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

Directions
  • 1

    Start by making the cake. Preheat oven to 425ºF. Line two 12½ x 15½-inch jelly roll pans with parchment and brush with melted butter.

    In the bowl of stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Beat in the granulated sugar and continue beating until the peaks are stiff and glossy. Gently scrape into a medium bowl and set aside.

  • 2

    Replace the whisk with the paddle attachment. Beat the ground almonds, confectioners sugar and whole eggs on medium speed until light and airy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low and gradually mix in flour, mixing just until incorporated. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the meringue, then the melted butter. Divide the batter evenly among the two pans (I think it was about 600 grams of batter per pan) and spread to cover the entire surface.

  • 3

    Bake cakes for 5-7 minutes, until light brown and springy to the touch.

    Place a sheet of parchment over each pan, then carefully turn the cakes over to unmold. Carefully peel off the layer of parchment on the bottom, turn it over and use it to cover the cakes. Let cool to room temperature. Cakes can be made up to 1 day in advance, cooled, wrapped and stored at room temperature.

  • 4

    While the cakes are cooling, prepare the espresso syrup by combining all the ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and set aside to cool. The syrup can be made up to 1 week in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

  • 5

    To make the buttercream, dissolve the espresso in the boiling water and set aside. Beat the egg and egg yolk on medium-high speed in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until pale and foamy.

    Bring the sugar, water and vanilla bean paste to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir only until the sugar dissolves. Continue cooking, without stirring, until the mixture reaches 255ºF. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly pour in the syrup. Don’t be concerned if some of it sticks to the sides of the bowl. Increase speed to medium-high and continue beating until the eggs are thick, satiny and room temperature, about 5 minutes.

  • 6

    With the mixer on medium speed, steadily add the butter in 2-tablespoon increments. Once all the butter has been added, increase speed to high and beat until the buttercream has thickened slightly. Beat in the dissolved espresso.

    Chill, stirring frequently, until the buttercream is firm enough to be spread, at least 30 minutes. If making ahead of time, the buttercream can be refrigerated for 4 days or frozen up to a month. Bring to room temperature before using and beat to smooth it.

  • 7

    To make the ganache, place the chocolate in a medium bowl. Bring the milk and cream to a boil, then pour over the chocolate. Wait 1 minute, then stir until smooth and glossy. Add the butter, 2 tablespoons at a time, and continue stirring until the ganache is smooth.

    Refrigerate, stirring every 5 minutes, until the ganache thickens to a spreadable consistency, about 20 minutes. The ganache can be refrigerated 3 days or frozen up to a month. Bring to room temperature before using.

     

  • 8

    To assemble the cake, line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Working with one cake a time, cut each cake into one 10×10-inch square and one 10×5-inch rectangle. Place one square of cake on the parchment and use a pastry brush to moisten with the espresso syrup. Spread about ¾ of the buttercream onto the cake, making sure to spread evenly. If the buttercream is too soft, you can freeze the cake for about 10 minutes before proceeding.

    Top with the two rectangular pieces of cake, placing them side by side to form a square. Moisten with the syrup and top with ganache, making sure to spread it in an even layer. Top with the remaining cake layer, moisten, then freeze for 10 minutes. Top with a thin layer of buttercream. This is just to smooth the top and prepare it for the glaze, so less is more here. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 6. If you’re in a hurry, you can freeze the cake for 20 minutes before continuing.

  • 9

    When you’re ready to glaze the cake, bring the butter to boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and skim off the top foam to clarify the butter. Pour the clear yellow butter into a small bowl and discard any milky residue.

    Melt the chocolate in a medium bowl over simmering water, then stir in the clarified butter. Lift the chilled cake off the parchment lined pan and place on a rack set atop the parchment lined pan. Pour the glaze over the cake, using a long offset spatula to help smooth it evenly across the top. Though messy, I would recommend transferring the cake to a cake stand or serving dish now, so that the set glaze doesn’t crack when you lift the cake later on.

    Refrigerate until glaze is set and cake is chilled. Use a long, thin knife that has been dipped in very hot water and wiped dry to cut the sides of the cake, removing any drips from the glaze and exposing the layers. A hot knife works best to slice this cake, which should be served slightly chilled.

14 responses to “Opera Cake”

  1. Annie says:

    LOVE the idea of making opera cake for Amy. Brilliant! This looks beautiful and so delicious.

  2. Wow – this looks beautiful! I’ve always wanted to try the Trader Joe’s version but may have to try the homemade recipe instead.

  3. I can’t tell you how blown away by this I am- not only because you know me so well, but because you took the time and effort to make this amazingly gorgeous Opera cake for me (I am DYING for a slice!). You are such a sweet friend, Courtney, and I can’t wait for us (and our baby girls!!!) to meet in person someday! 🙂 Thank you so much!

  4. Kelsey says:

    Oh my goodness, Courtney, this cake is absolutely gorgeous! If “French tiramisu” is a fitting description, I’ll be making one of these one day. I can’t think of many things as delicious!

  5. Shawnda says:

    What a stunning cake!

  6. Chelsea says:

    That sounds delicious… and looks awesome!!

  7. Beautiful cake, and aptly named! That does sound a lot like tiramisu.

  8. Angie R. says:

    Hi Courtney – First of all, I love tiramisu and this cake looks so amazing! Since you used instant espresso in this cake I wanted to take the opportunity to ask a question about it. A lot of recipes call for instant espresso powder, but the only thing I can find in my grocery store is instant espresso coffee. Do you know if this is the same thing? Thanks!

  9. Nikki says:

    Stunning! Fabulous idea, to make an opera cake for Amy. You made it so beautifully perfect, too!

  10. I will have to try this recipe. It is great to see all the bloggers getting together. Congrats to Amy and your own family.

  11. branny says:

    Now this is my kind of dessert! Looks great.

  12. Tara says:

    Courtney! This is such a gorgeous cake!! I can tell that you must have spent a lot of time on it and the results definitely reflect this. And your photos? Perfection.

  13. Pam says:

    Looks like a lot of work, but also looks like the end result is well worth it. Wow. This looks so scrumptious. What a wonderful dessert. Thanks for sharing it.

  14. Nicole Gamble says:

    Great recipe! My daughter is in love with this cake!

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