The article discusses the process of making an opera cake, a famous French dessert. Also known as the Opéra cake, it is named after the Paris Opera House, as it is believed to resemble the grand staircase of the Opera House. The opera cake is a multilayered cake with alternating layers of almond sponge cake, coffee buttercream, and chocolate ganache.
To make the opera cake, the first step is to bake the almond sponge cake, which requires mixing ground almonds, powdered sugar, eggs, and flour. While the cake cools, coffee syrup is made by dissolving sugar in coffee and adding a flavoring of choice, such as rum or liqueur.
Once the sponge cake is cooled, it is cut into thin layers, and each layer is soaked with the coffee syrup to add flavor and moisture. Afterward, the alternating layers of almond sponge cake and coffee buttercream are stacked on top of each other. The cake is then covered with a layer of chocolate ganache.
Lastly, the opera cake is chilled in the refrigerator to set before being served. It is commonly decorated with a lattice pattern made of chocolate ganache or a dusting of powdered sugar. The result is a delicious and visually striking dessert that resembles the architectural design of the Paris Opera House. Making an opera cake requires patience and attention to detail, but the end result is a decadent treat that is sure to delight any dessert lover.