Irresistible Classic Opera Cake - Living Sweet Moments (2024)

My favorite French dessert. This scrumptious classic Opera Cake recipe is composed of 7 layers of cake, chocolate, and coffee flavored french buttercream

This post is very special and dear to me since I am showcasing my favorite cake of all: The French Classic Opera Cake.

Usually, I wouldn’t post recipes that required a little more elbow grease, but since I couldn’t find a decent slice of Opera in Miami, I decided to take matters into my hands and make it.

It’s been years since I made these kinds of desserts, but I’ve been so inspired lately that you’ll see more of these soon.

Making a classic Opera Cake it’s not that complicated even though it requires a few more steps that your usual cake recipe. And believe me, it’s so worth it, especially if you’re thinking of serving it for a special occasion.

Your guests will ask where did you get this cake from.

Why? Because it looks and tastes like it came out of a window of a French Patisserie.

Plus, it’s so pretty! Seeing all the beautiful layers, textures, and contrasting colors together.

Last week we made vanilla pastry cream and elegantminiberry tarts. This week we are caking it.

For this Opera, the idea to make all the elements one day and then assemble the next.

Or if you have a slow day at work you can cook and assemble the same day. It’s completely up to you and your schedule.

The elements are Joconde sponge, coffee flavored french buttercream, coffee syrup, ganache, and opera glaze. Usually,I make the first 3 and leave the other 2 for assembly day.

The Joconde sponge bakes and then gets divided into 3 pieces, which become 3 layers.

Assembly’s just like building. Putting one thing on top of the other.

If you’re a visual learner like me, here’s a diagram I made to help you assemble your cake easily. Hope this helps:

Believe it or not, French Pastry books have graphics similar to this one so you can have an idea what goes where.

My grandma gave me 2 huge books in French for the 60’s and the diagrams helped a lot when it came to assembling.

So let’s pretend you cooked all the elements (recipe at the bottom). Here’s how we build our classic Opera Cake.

Step by step assembly instructions:

We cut our Joconde Sponge in 3 equal pieces.

We choose one layer to work with…

To that layer, we spread some plain melted chocolate all over the surface and freeze for 3-4 minutes until set.

When that chocolate sets we remove from the freezer and flip the cake upside down so that the solid layer of chocolate is at the bottom. The chocolate will prevent liquids from coming out of the cake.

To the other side of that cake, we brush some yummy coffee syrup. Don’t be stingy…..

Now we spread the yummy coffee buttercream on top of the cake

We have 2 layers now… 5 to go

Next is another sponge that we brush some syrup on top.

On top of that is the luscious chocolate ganache. Doesn’t that look dreamy?

We put the cake in the freezer for 5 minutes so the chocolate has a chance to set up before we continue building.

4 layers down and 3 to go

Next is the last cake layer

We brush with the remaining coffee syrup on top.

Look at the cake from another angle…Can you see the 5 layers?

Next, we spread some coffee buttercream on top. Smooth it out with an offset spatula.

We put it in the freezer for 10 minutes.

Only one layer to go….

Lastly, we pour the Opera Glaze on top.

And we freeze for 5 minutes until the top sets…

Now you’ve got to decide. If you would like a classic Opera Cake it needs to say Opera on top with melted chocolate.

But who’s judging you? Is not like Paul Hollywood will be knocking at your door and criticizing your wonderful creation.

So you might as well do any design you want.

Or if you’re tired of all that building, spreading, and freezing, leave it as is.

Here’s another design idea.

After the cake is set with trim down the top and sides to eliminate imperfections.

Please keep in mind to make the layers fairly uniform. Otherwise, it will affect the taste and look of the cake.

Finally, with a HOT knife, we cut into equal pieces.

Now you’re ready to eat.

Tell me the truth, that wasn’t so bad was it?

You got this… Now go on and make it! Be the baking superstar and impress your peers.

Make them think you spent a week on this.

I won’t tell if you won’t tell… 😉

I hope you can try this delicious Classic Opera Cake at home. If you do, please upload a pic on Instagram and tag me @Livingsweetmoments or use the hashtag #LivingSweet.

ClickHEREforTHE BEST CAKE RECIPES

You may also like:

Classic Vanilla Eclairs

Dobos Crepe Cake

Spectacular Chocolate Cake Recipe