May Daring Bakers Challenge Revealed

This month was my first Daring Bakers challenge, and lets just say that challenge was a good word to use. The assignment was to make an Opera Cake. I didn't even know that there was an opera cake before this challenge so if that gives you an idea about my baking this cake - what you are imaging is correct. I was clueless and it was challenging. But hey, that's why I joined the daring bakers right? To try these new great things.

So the recipe had several parts and steps and layers. All of which are included and will be explained below. I can say this, there is a TRUE art to making butter cream frosting, a TRUE art to ganache, a TRUE art to the glaze. I've been checking out some of the pictures of other daring bakers and wow! there are some pros out there.

The rules were specific in the fact that the cake had to be light in color and flavor for spring. Due to all of the steps and my desire to keep the ingredient list short I used what I had on hand. The butter cream was vanilla flavored, the syrup was brandy flavored, and the ganache was white chocolate with citrus liqueur. In my head (and with Andy's help) I was thinking it would be a vanilla citrus flavor - but it was overpowered by lots of white chocolate. So it ended up as a white chocolate almond cake. Good, but too white chocolaty for me. If I ever try this cake again (and I say "if" only because there were SO many steps and it was a long process) it will be with dark chocolate and coffee flavors. Mmmmm....that sounds worth trying already.

OK enough about all that...here's the cake info and pictures...the recipe is very very involved and if anyone is inerested in it email me and I'll happily share. However in interests of keeping this post a normal length the full version has been left out. Trust me when I say it was a lot!!!

The Elements of an Opéra Cake:

Joconde: The base of an Opéra Cake is a thin sponge cake that is made using nut meal, traditionally almond meal (finely ground blanched almonds).

Syrup: The joconde is flavoured with a sugar syrup that can be flavoured to suit your tastes.

Buttercream: The first two layers of the joconde are covered in a rich buttercream. This particular buttercream is made with a syrup, eggs and butter.

Ganache/Mousse (optional): In some recipes, the final layer of the joconde is covered in a ganache or mousse. While not hard to make, this makes the recipe quite involved. We are giving Daring Bakers the option of either using the buttercream to cover the final layer or, if they’re feeling up to it, to go ahead and make the ganache/mousse.

Glaze: The final step to an Opéra Cake is the glaze that gives the cake a very finished and elegant appearance.

Assembling the Opéra Cake:

-Place one square of cake on the baking sheet and moisten it gently with the flavoured syrup.

-Spread about three-quarters of the buttercream over this layer.

-Top with the two rectangular pieces of cake, placing them side by side to form a square. Moisten these pieces with the flavoured syrup.

-Spread the remaining buttercream on the cake and then top with the third square of joconde. Use the remaining syrup to wet the joconde and then refrigerate until very firm (at least half an hour).

-Prepare the ganache/mousse (if you haven’t already) and then spread it on the top of the last layer of the joconde. Refrigerate for at least two to three hours to give the ganache/mousse the opportunity to firm up.

-Make the glaze and after it has cooled, pour/spread it over the top of the chilled cake. Refrigerate the cake again to set the glaze. Serve the cake slightly chilled.

That should give you the general idea behind the challenge. That and knowing that Andy and I worked on it all of Memorial Day. Granted there were a couple breaks while the cake was chilling in the fridge, but yes it did take that long :)

It's an adventure, and a challenge, but the folks at the office LOVED the cake. Eat it with a big glass of milk - you'll need it. It was good, but it will be better the next time. This was definitely a successful trial run, but a trial run none the less. Good Luck!