Gateau Opera Cake Recipe: If drama and luxury fit a dessert, nothing matches an Opera Cake. Born in Paris, this fancy treat layers almond sponge, coffee syrup, creamy buttercream, and silky chocolate, all stacked like a delicious music symphony. Each bite is soft, rich, and smooth, perfect for sharing with friends or impressing at special occasions. Let’s break it down into simple steps.
Required Ingredients
- Eggs
- Almond flour
- Powdered sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Butter (melted)
- Egg whites
- Granulated sugar
- Heavy cream
- Dark Chocolate (chopped)
- Instant Coffee (dissolved in 2 tablespoons hot water)
- Sugar Syrup (sugar + water boiled together)
- Vanilla Extract
Step By Step Direction
Step 1: Prepare Sponge Layers
Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease and line two baking trays. Beat eggs, almond flour, powdered sugar, and all-purpose flour until smooth. Fold in melted butter. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites with sugar until stiff peaks form, and gently fold into batter. Bake for 10–12 minutes until golden. Cool completely.
Step 2: Make Coffee Syrup
Mix dissolved coffee with sugar syrup and set aside to soak the sponge layers later.
Step 3: Prepare Ganache
Heat cream in a pan until warm, then pour over chopped chocolate. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until glossy and smooth.
Step 4: Make Coffee Buttercream
Whip softened butter with sugar until light. Add coffee mixture and vanilla extract. Whip until creamy.
Step 5: Assemble the Cake
Cut sponge into equal rectangular layers. Place first layer on tray, brush with coffee syrup, spread a layer of coffee buttercream, then add another sponge layer. Brush again, spread ganache, and repeat until all layers are stacked.
Step 6: Finish & Chill
Cover top with a smooth coat of ganache. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing to set properly.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 420 kcal | 21% |
| Total Fat | 28 g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat | 14 g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 110 mg | 37% |
| Sodium | 70 mg | 3% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 36 g | 13% |
| Dietary Fiber | 3 g | 10% |
| Total Sugars | 24 g | – |
| Protein | 7 g | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 0.5 mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 40 mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2.5 mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 210 mg | 6% |
“The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.”
Final Thought
French or Gateau Opera cake is elegant and rich, blending coffee, chocolate, and almond flavors in delicate layers. Though it looks luxurious, this recipe breaks it into simple steps so you can enjoy a French classic at home.
Also Read: Homemade Lemon Cheese cake Recipe (Simple & Perfect)
FAQ’S (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I make the sponge layers in advance?
Yes, you can bake them a day earlier and store them wrapped in the fridge.
Can I use white or milk chocolate instead of dark?
Yes, but the cake will be sweeter and less intense in flavor.
Can this cake be frozen?
Yes, tightly wrap in cling film and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
Gateau Opera Cake
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven and get your trays ready.
- Mix eggs, almond flour, powdered sugar, and all-purpose flour until smooth. Add the melted butter.6 large eggs, 1 ½ cups almond flour, 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, ½ cup all-purpose flour, 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Whip the egg whites with sugar until fluffy, then gently add to the mixture. Bake for about 10 minutes until golden, and let cool.4 large egg whites, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Stir coffee into sugar syrup. Save to soak the cake layers.½ cup sugar syrup, 2 teaspoons instant coffee
- Warm cream and pour over chopped chocolate. Wait two minutes, then stir until shiny and smooth.1 cup heavy cream, 200 gm dark chocolate
- Beat butter with sugar until light, add the coffee mix and vanilla, and whip until creamy.1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Cut the sponge into layers. Place one layer on a plate, brush with coffee syrup, spread buttercream, add the next layer, brush syrup, add ganache, and repeat.
- Smooth more ganache on top. Chill for 1 hour before slicing so the cake can set.
Notes
- Always chill between layers for neat results.
- Use good-quality coffee and chocolate for authentic flavor.
- A warm knife helps cut clean slices without breaking the layers.
My Name is Sanjeev Vekariya, I cover Articles related to Baking, Recipes, Desserts and Cake . I have more than 5 Years of Experience in Writing Food Article.
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