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Decadent Opera Cake

A luxurious dessert featuring layers of almond sponge cake, coffee buttercream, and chocolate ganache, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Almond Sponge Cake
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
For the Coffee Buttercream
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons brewed coffee (cooled)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Ganache
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips (Halal certified)
  • ½ cup heavy cream

Method
 

Prepare the Almond Sponge Cake
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until creamy and pale.
  3. Gently fold in the almond flour and the all-purpose flour along with the baking powder, mixing until just combined.
  4. Finally, fold in the melted butter until the batter is smooth.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow cooling completely.
Make the Coffee Buttercream
  1. In another bowl, cream the softened butter until fluffy.
  2. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar. You can add a little milk if it gets too thick.
  3. Blend in the cooled coffee and vanilla extract until well combined.
Prepare the Chocolate Ganache
  1. In a small saucepan, heat the cream just until it begins to simmer. Remove it from the heat.
  2. Add in the dark chocolate chips and stir until fully melted and glossy. Allow it to cool slightly.
Assemble the Cake
  1. Once the almond sponge cake is cooled, slice it into three even layers.
  2. Start with the first layer and spread a generous amount of coffee buttercream on top.
  3. Place the second layer on top and repeat the process, ending with the third layer of sponge cake.
  4. Pour the chocolate ganache over the top, allowing it to drizzle down the sides for an elegant finish.
  5. Refrigerate for at least an hour before slicing, to set the ganache.

Notes

For a nut-free version, you can opt for all-purpose flour only in the sponge layer, but the flavor might differ slightly. Make sure to let the layers cool completely before assembling—the buttercream can melt if the sponge is warm. Be cautious not to overmix the batter; this can make the sponge tough. Gentle folding will guarantee a light texture. The cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.