A modern take on a French classic, this decadent Opera cake is rich, chocolatey, and packed with espresso flavor.
I’m so excited for today’s post, as it’s a recipe from Tessa at Style Sweet CA‘s first cookbook – Layered! I have been eyeing this book for months and I was so excited to finally get my hands on one thanks to Food Bloggers of Canada. There are honestly so many amazing and delicious sounding recipes in this book that it was hard to pick which one to start with, but this French Opera Cake recipe was calling my name.
A few years ago, Ryan and I lived in Paris for 3 months. It was honestly the most amazing experience. I miss it so much, and I dream about going back or even living there someday. We saw a lot during our time there, and ate so much delicious food — especially bread and pastries! Omg. It was amazing.
So, a Paris story: We’re in this cafe, about halfway through our trip (we frequented a LOT of cafes during our time there). This one was Cafe de Flore, a famous (aka touristy) Parisian cafe that was on our list to see. We’d had our lunch and our coffee, and naturally I was eyeing the dessert case.
A particularly intriguing dessert caught my eye, and I pointed out to the waiter which one I wanted. I didn’t check the menu for the price, but whatever, it’s not like it was going to be $20 or something. So we ordered this elegant little dessert, which we found out was called an Opera Cake.
When I say little, I mean little. It was literally 2″x4″ small.
Sure enough, we get the bill and that little dessert was €15 which was basically like $20. I kid you not! The most expensive dessert we had during our time there, for sure. It was good, but certainly not $20 good. I could have had like 10 macarons for that price! Needless to say, lesson learned, and we checked prices on everything from that point on.
What is an Opera Cake?
This French Opera Cake has all of the delicious elements of a traditional Opera, but without the fuss (or hefty price tag). Layers of light almond sponge cake soaked in coffee, with a heavenly coffee flavored French buttercream and a deep dark chocolate ganache.
It has a strong espresso flavor throughout — in the layers, in the coffee soak, and in the buttercream. So if you’re a coffee drinker, you will love this French Opera cake recipe. Making it takes a few more steps than a typical cake, but it’s well worth the effort and Tessa walks you through it all in her book.
Layered is a truly stunning book. From classics like Strawberry Shortcake to intriguing combinations like Raspberry Guinness, it’s a cake lover’s dream! The book is packed with 150 recipes (and photos for every single cake) as well as tips and tutorials. This is one that you’ll want to have in your collection. I love this book and I know you will too.
Looking for more coffee flavored desserts?
- Mocha Chocolate Cake
- Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake
- Coffee & Baileys Cake
- Kahlua Cake With Mocha Buttercream
- Vanilla Latte Cake
Tips for making this Opera Cake Recipe?
- Be sure to use espresso powder, not granules in the cake and frosting. The granules will not dissolve properly.
- Try to use the best quality chocolate you can for the ganache, it really makes a difference! I use Callebaut.
- You can leave out the coffee liqueur if you prefer.
- If you don’t have a cake ring, you can try and bake this in three 6″ cake pans instead.
French Opera Cake
Ingredients
Coffee Almond Sponge Cake
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp instant espresso powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- pinch salt
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 4 large egg whites
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
Coffee Soak
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tsp instant espresso powder
- 2 Tbsp coffee liqueur
Coffee French Buttercream
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 6 large egg yolks
- 2 tsp instant espresso powder
- 3 Tbsp hot water
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature, cubed
Dark Chocolate Ganache
- 6 oz good quality dark chocolate chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
Coffee Almond Sponge Cake
- Preheat oven to 375F. Grease a 10×15″ pan and line with parchment. Allow parchment to overhang the edges by a couple inches.
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, espresso powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine powdered sugar, 4 eggs, and vanilla. Whip until thick and pale. The whisk will leave tracks and ribbons will form if you drizzle the mixture onto itself. Mix in flour mixture and then the melted butter.
- In a clean bowl of a stand mixer, begin to whip the egg whites on medium. When they start to foam, add the cream of tartar. Continue whipping while slowly adding the granulated sugar. Turn mixer to high and whisk until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold egg whites into the cake mixture. Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 5-10mins or until the cake springs back when pressed. Cool for 10mins before removing from pan.
Coffee Soak
- Place sugar, espresso powder, and water into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 2mins. Remove from heat and stir in coffee liqueur. Cool completely.
Coffee French Buttercream
- In a small bowl, combine espresso powder and hot water. Set aside.
- Place sugar and water into a medium saucepan. Stir to combine but do not stir from this point forward. Insert a candy thermometer and cook until the mixture reaches 240F.
- Meanwhile, using a stand mixer, whip egg yolks on high until thick, pale, and ribbons form.
- When the sugar reaches 240F, remove from the heat. Turn mixer to medium and very slowly and carefully pour the sugar syrup into the yolks in a thin, steady stream.* Increase mixer to high and continue whip until the bowl is no longer warm to the touch (~10mins).
- Switch to paddle attachment. Slowly add cubed butter and mix until smooth. Add the espresso mixture and whip until combined and the frosting is smooth.
Dark Chocolate Ganache
- Finely chop chocolate and place into a bowl. Bring cream just barely to a simmer and pour over chopped chocolate. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand 2 mins. Stir with a spatula until combined and smooth. Allow to cool and thicken slightly before using on cake.
Assembly
- Using a 6″ cake ring, cut out three cake rounds from the cake. Brush each with the coffee soak.
- Place one cake round on a cake stand or serving plate. Spread with 1/3 cup of the ganache. Refrigerate until ganache sets. Spread with 1/2 cup of the french buttercream. Repeat with next layer.
- Place last layer of cake on top. Frost the sides and top of the cake with the remaining frosting. Chill for 20mins.
- Spread ganache over the top of the cake. Do a decorative border with remaining frosting if desired.
Nicole Jubleew says
My favourite cake flavour growing up was chocolate.
Amber Y says
I always preferred vanilla cakes growing up. We didn’t eat much of a variety of cakes. Usually just those simple store bought slab cakes that come in chocolate or vanilla with a cream or custard layer in between. I remember having a vanilla cake baked with fruit once and that is still one of my favourites even now.
Olivia says
I remember having those slab cakes a bunch too. They were delicious!!
Diana L. says
That cake is calling my name… seriously, it’s telling me I need to eat it. It looks absolutely amazing.
I NEED to get my hands on a copy of that book. Amazing!
Olivia says
You DO need to eat it!! And you will love this book! 😀
Cassie | Crumb Kitchen says
I’ve never been to Paris, but man oh man this cake looks like it should be in the window at the fanciest bakery there! The little coffee beans on the bottom of the cake make it look perfect. <3
Olivia says
Thanks so much Cassie!! 😄
Maria says
Any cake will do for me 😋 Thanks for asking.
Laura @ The Bluenose Baker says
I always loved chocolate cake with boiled icing!
Olivia says
Boiled icing? I’m totally intrigued 🤔. Will have to look that up!
Stephanie C says
I grew up in a fairly traditional Chinese home so my childhood was filled with unusual flavoured cakes. One of my favourites was a chestnut cream cake – my mom only bought it for birthdays so it was always a rare treat!
Shannon says
Has to be chocolate!
Linda says
There’s nothing better than chocolate. I loved really chocolaty cake as a child.
Samantha says
Love Love LOVE this beautifully crafted cake Olivia, look at those layers! x
Olivia says
I know! I love those layers <3. You should totally check out her book!! xoxo
Nancy says
Where is the recipe?
Olivia says
Hi Nancy! I made this recipe to promote the book Layered, you can find the recipe in there.
Myriam Mekni says
French Opéra cake and Forêt Noire
Regina says
Wow!! This cake is such a stunning show stopper. Literally, when I scrolled over it for the first time, it stopped me right there to take a moment to drool 🙂
My favorite cake as a child was a hazelnut bundt cake my mom always made. Mmm …drooling again.
Olivia says
Thanks so much Regina! The hazelnut Bundt sounds amazing :).
Glogirl says
As a child, my favourite cake flavour was chocolate.
Samantha M says
I’ve always been a huge fan of vanilla cake with creamy, fluffy vanilla icing – yum!!
Marlene says
Every year for my birthday when I was quite young, my mother would make me a banana cake (not a loaf, but a proper cake) with a vanilla frosting. I looked forward to it every year!
Rose K says
My favorite cake flavor has always been chocolate and hazelnut whipped cream.
Rosemary @anitalianinmykitchen.com says
Your cakes always make me stop and look and want to eat. And of course this Opera Cake is just what my husband and I would love. Can’t wait to check out this book sounds wonderful.
Olivia says
Thanks so much Rosemary! You’ll love this book :).
Shweta says
Yum yum give away. I am waiting to get my hands on this book( can’t bug hubby for everything) . My favourite is red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.
joy says
i would have to say, chocolate was my favourite flavour as a child — now, i enjoy a variety of flavours — i’ll try anything!