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Classic Opera Cake Recipe

Shaziya
The Classic Opera Cake is a masterpiece of French patisserie, blending rich coffee, silky ganache, and delicate almond sponge into one unforgettable dessert. With just 2 hours of prep and a quick 10-minute bake, this elegant treat is surprisingly achievable for home bakers.
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cuisine French dessert
Servings 8 people

Ingredients
  

For the Cake

  • 1 cup almond flour (4oz/115g)
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar (3oz/85g)
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour (1¼oz/35g)
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 large egg yolk room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons butter melted (1oz/30g)
  • 3 large egg whites room temperature
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (2oz/57g)

Coffee Syrup

  • ¼ cup water (2floz/60ml)
  • ¼ cup brandy (2floz/60ml)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (2oz/57g)
  • 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder

French Coffee Buttercream

  • 1 tablespoon instant espresso
  • 1 tablespoon plus ½ cup water divided (4floz/120ml)
  • 4 large egg yolks room temperature
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar (6oz/170g)
  • 1 cup butter softened (4oz/115g)

Chocolate Butter Glaze

  • 6 tablespoons butter (3oz/85g)
  • 1 cup bittersweet chocolate finely chopped (6oz/170g)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a 11x17-inch (28x43cm) baking sheet with parchment. Butter the paper and set aside.
  • With a stand or electric handheld mixer with whisk attachment, beat together the almond flour, powdered sugar, all-purpose flour, eggs, egg yolk and melted butter until combined.
  • In a separate bowl whisk egg whites until thick and frothy, then slowly add the sugar, one tablespoon at a time and whip to stiff, glossy peaks.
  • Fold the whipped whites gently into the almond flour mixture until evenly mixed and then spread onto the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake for 5-7 minutes, until the cake springs back when pressed. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the pan.
  • Once cooled, wrap carefully and refrigerate until ready to assemble. (The colder cake will be easier to handle).
  • Make The Coffee Syrup
  • In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk the water, brandy, sugar and espresso powder until the espresso powder and sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool.
  • Make The Buttercream
  • Mix the espresso powder with 1 tablespoon of water. Set aside.
  • With a stand fitted with a whisk attachment or electric handheld mixer, beat the egg on medium speed until the yolks are thick and pale.
  • In a small saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer, heat the remaining ½ cup (4floz/120ml) water and sugar until it reaches the soft ball stage: 238°F (115°C). Immediately remove from the heat and transfer to a glass measuring cup to stop the cooking.
  • While beating constantly on high speed, pour the hot syrup over the egg yolks followed by the dissolved espresso powder and continue beating until completely cooled.
  • Switch to a paddle attachment if using a stand mixer and add the butter, one tablespoon at a time and then continue beating until the mixture looks like a smooth buttercream. Set aside.
  • Make The Chocolate Glaze
  • Combine the chocolate and butter in a small saucepan or microwave safe bowl and heat gently, until melted. Set aside to cool and thicken to a spreadable consistency.
  • Assemble The Cake
  • Remove the cake from the refrigerator and cut into even thirds. A ruler works well for this.
  • Place one layer of cake onto a small baking sheet or cutting board covered in a piece of parchment and brush all over with the coffee syrup.
  • Spread half of the buttercream evenly over the cake.
  • Place a second layer of cake over the buttercream and brush evenly with the coffee syrup.
  • Spread half of the chocolate glaze over the second cake layer.
  • Top with the final cake layer and brush with the coffee syrup.
  • Spread the remaining buttercream over the final layer.
  • Warm the remaining chocolate glaze until pourable but not hot. Pour and spread evenly over the top layer of cake. Refrigerate until firm.
  • Trim the sides to neaten the cake and then carefully transfer to a serving plate. Let sit at room temperature for a few hours before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keyword almond sponge, chocolate ganache, coffee buttercream, opera cake
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