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Daring Bakers – L’Opéra

Special thanks to Fran of Apples Peaches Pumpkin Pie and Shea of Whiskful for this challenge!

…or in layman’s terms, “Opera Cake.” Or, in hubby’s and my terms, “super yummy cake.” I was petrified of doing this cake…really petrified. The rules are intense and long, very explicit detail of the do’s and don’ts of the cake…I was sure I wouldn’t survive! Once I realized that the rules were really options that could be omitted at will, I breathed a sigh of relief, and took the easy way out–I omitted all the options. :D I’m feeling terribly burned out from trying to hard to healthify so many other things for hubby’s new diet, to add a cake in the mix seemed daunting, but I wanted the challenge. So, I chose an Orange-Almond themed cake, based on the fact that my favorite cookies in the whole world are Orange-Almond-Oatmeal, but hubby doesn’t like them, so I don’t make them too often.

Let’s remember…I’m a whiz at making things taste good, but as for presentation? I’m still in Kindergarten; probably the kid in the back of the room eating paste, instead of using it. I am totally OCD about the flavor, but as for decoration, I don’t really bother. Not very OCD of me, huh? I’ll have to work on that.

Getting back to L’Opéra, it was so easy! Like all good things, it took time, but absolutely worth it. Definitely different, but truly one of the best cakes I’ve had. And, as you’ll see below, I totally “healthified” it, due to the health changes we’ve had to make in the house.

Small-Batch Easy-Peasy L’Opéra

Joconde

  • one egg white
  • 5 grams sugar
  • 38 grams almond meal (or any ground nut of choice)
  • 38 grams confectioners sugar
  • one large egg (I used three tablespoons Better’n Eggs + 1 teaspoon extra-light olive oil)
  • 12 grams all-purpose unbleached flour
  • 8 grams butter (I used 6 grams extra-light olive oil + 2 grams water)
  1. Line jelly roll sheet with buttered parchment paper (I used PAM Butter Spray).
  2. Beat egg white to soft peaks; add 5 grams sugar and beat until stiff peaks have formed.
  3. Beat almond meal, confectioners sugar, and egg until light and fluffy. Add flour and gently mix in. Fold in egg white mixture. Add and gently mix in melted butter.
  4. Pour batter onto prepared cake pan and spread evenly. Bake cake layer until golden brown, and springy to the touch (about seven minutes).
  5. Use knife to gently separate cake form edges of pan, then turn over to cooling rack and peel off parchment paper. Allow to cool to room temperature.

Sugar Syrup

  • 21 grams water
  • 11 grams sugar
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  1. Stir all ingredients together in small saucepan. Bring to rolling boil, then set-aside to cool to room temperature.

Buttercream

  1. Beat butter and salt until well-blended and light in color. Add orange oil and mix until well-blended. Add sugar and fold into butter mixture until fully dissolved. Set-aside.

Assembling the Opéra Cake

  1. Cut cooled cake into two large squares, with excess rectangular pieces (these can be assembled in additional layers to form a square).
  2. Place first square to baking sheet and moisten gently with flavored sugar syrup. Spread 1/3 buttercream atop layer.
  3. Repeat with remaining layers, sugar syrup and buttercream.
  4. Upon completion of assembled layers, place in fridge (cake tastes best cold).
  5. Enjoy! Sharing Optional.™

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