Best Opera Cake Recipe

[@myaalvarado3096]

My last assignment for pastry school was opera cake, and I can confirm that it's DELICIOUS. It is very rich, though, so small peices are definitely recommended. Be warned that it does take a while for assembly, but it's so worth it. I can't wait to try your recipe!

[@MultiGemgirl]

I shall try this

[@remylagman679]

Q

[@Ice.muffin]

How many hours from start to finish did it take you to make this cake??? Did it turn out like you wanted? So it was your final exam at pastry school?

[@Jamie20204]

Is this recipe similar to the one you made in pastry school?

[@pallavisreetambraparni6995]

Wow

[@TheCuttingEdge142]

I actually made this cake and it was amazing. I followed this recipe and it worked out so well! It does take a bit of time as there are many things to prepare but for me, it was worth it. But, my layers weren’t as perfectly even but it still looked so pretty!! I wanted to prepare the cake a few days ahead so I put it in the freezer and that was fine!! For that, I prepared the cake, assembled it (without the chocolate ganache on top!!), wrapped it with plastic wrap and put it in the freezer. In the video, this would be at minute 12:39. I then took it out and let it defrost slowly in the fridge. Then I put the chocolate ganache on! This worked out well for me. I highly recommend making this cake!!😊

[@blueeyedbehr]

i cant wait to try this cake soon! a couple of hints: 1. chop chocolate with a serrated bread knife - its much easier and the chocolate doesnt go flying everywhere. 2. put the butter in the bottom of the bowl, then chopped chocolate on top. the butter melts first and protects the chocolate from burning in case the water gets too hot underneath.

[@amadoreyes1752]

I’ve tried this cake in the past following Chef Lenôtre recipe and I would not do it again as it took me almost the entire day to make it. But, it is worth the effort! Amazing cake!

[@layzanimations]

I love the little history lessons you engrain into your videos as you're cooking. It keeps me entertained while I'm sifting/mixing my own cake 👍

[@WILL_COOK]

I just wanted to say thank you to Preppy Kitchen because this is the fourth video this year from you that's helping me with my pastry practical class. It's hard to understand a recipe when you can only read and not see it.

[@cyberqueen7784]

I made opera cake for a dessert auction last year and this year. I was so happy when the cake sold for 400 dollars last year. While it didn't sell for much this year (250 dollars), I was really happy when the lady that bought my dessert told me it was one of the best cakes she's ever tasted.

[@--M--1111]

Please elaborate..how did your cake get sold for 400$? Was it a competition? Are you a celebrity or is it that you were so bad for years that there was a bet to pay you a handsome reward if you succeeded baking something? Please tell me. I buy my opera cake for 15$

[@TheSeptemberRose]

Thanks to you, I finally tried an Opera cake....not baking it, but eating one....I felt like I had died and gone to Heaven. I didn't eat the whole slice myself....I shared it with my boyfriend...it was WONDERFUL!

[@newfoundland3238]

I will be married 15 years July 5 and this is my choice of celebration cake.I am using your recipe looks yummy!I am a pastry chef CIA 1990 and this is my favourite cake!Thanks Cheers from a Canadian in Connecticut! PS Paris looked amazing my dream holiday,..... bakeries!

[@hzlkelly]

I really want to get into baking full time again, I had started teaching myself because it reminded me of my grandmother as she loved baking. After she passed, it's all I felt could connect me back with her memories. I really want to learn French patisserie and I discovered your channel when I was in a toxic relationship about 4 years ago, I just loved your enthusiasm for baking and how easily you made the recipes seem. I started back with buying baking items again and I will try your recipes and buy your book as I go. Just wanted to say you got me to desire baking again. Thank you so much. I'm a hot kitchen chef but I'd really love to just cross over to baking. I love both. Lol

[@kevinraney2935]

My daughter had to make this for her French class in High School a couple years ago. It turned out great. Had a blast helping her with it.

[@PreppyKitchen]

That’s such a lovely memory Kevin!

[@Ice.muffin]

Simply EXQUISITE, John, if that was even possible you've outdone yourself!!! Amazingness all over, we can see your perfectionist side clearer than day here in this recipe especially, just WOW!!

[@KP-nx8lo]

Instead of brandy which I never have I’ve used either Bailey’s or crème de cocoa. Both compliments the coffee without overwhelming it.

[@ceceliabeck8967]

Can you do something nonalcoholic

[@kathrynwiest792]

Hello Brian: My, My, you are truly a chef 👨‍🍳 in the kitchen. You talk through your cooking & teaching along as you bake or cook & do so well. How did you learn to bake & talk at the same time. I cannot do that. I run everyone OUT, OUT, of the kitchen especially when Im prepping, preparing what dishes, china, or pans I'll be using. Counting & going over everything I need for each dish, prepping & refrigerating as I prep. When I make each recipe, everything is made ahead. I bake the casseroles the same day. When they sit overnight in the refrigerator, the flavors have marinated. They taste so much better. I frost the desserts in the wee mornings. Set the table night before. Make the drinks Im serving & refrigerate till serving. All in all, I cannot talk while cooking or preparing. No one is in the kitchen but me. How did you learn to talk & have a camera staring at you.. Im so glad you can, because Im learning to break bad habits, learn to bake your marvelous delicious dishes. Thank you for becoming a chef. Its your calling. God has given you this talent to share cooking from a PRO. Happy Holidays. KW MT. 🇺🇸

[@IamIceQueen7]

It’s so weird that I’ve been obsessed with opera cakes for a month now and this pops up ! I love the recipe and it seems easy enough Thank you

[@Lalabaster]

Same it's going to be a yummy challenge though. I'm going to buy new sheet pans 😆

[@elisabethdowd1869]

As usual, you make it look so easy John. This is definitely on my list of 'John Recipes' to make.

[@amanpatel567]

I made this in one of my classes in college. I know that it's chocolate and coffee heaven!

[@ertagon]

I have been looking for a good step-by-step recipe for Opera. I instantly added this one to my food playlist. Would love to see more recipes for elegant desserts.

[@PreppyKitchen]

Thank you!!!

[@victoriashelton1466]

I had no idea what opera cake was but I knew even before clicking on this that you would give me a mini history lesson. Thanks John❤️😊

[@ZZ_The_Boxing_Cat]

I can't go near my oven with temperatures in the 90s! I am definitely looking forward to cooker days for more of these masterpieces! WOOOHOOO

[@thiennuongthach2133]

this has to be the most delicious looking cake ive ever seen in my life

[@peacefulplace7924]

Working on this for an assignment in school there is a slight difference but I'm here for all the help I can get

[@fuelfreak108]

I’ve made it a few times. The recipe i use has two quite different chocolate layers. That middle chocolate layer is a ganache, while the top is more of a glaze that will actually set. Watching this has me wanting to make another one haha

[@hellentran6098]

Thanks for sharing your recipe. I can tell that you share the recipes from your heart :-). I tried some of your recipes before. They all came out perfectly. My family loves all. Thanks again and God bless you!

[@elissahoran1130]

You are by far the nicest and best baker on here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@lillianlouie4284]

Symphony of flavors is such an apt description!!

[@elizabethcurtiss2497]

Did you know your last name means cinnamon in Norwegian? Spelled kanel. Seems like a great last name for a baker!

[@kathleenpalmer845]

Oh you NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY BOY!!! 😉 how dare you temp my hubby and me with such luscious looking decadence !!! We swooned watching this video . Reminds us of Tiramisu. 😋 😋 😋

[@couldbecooking]

I love the fact that you wrote "Opera" on it! 😅 It looks perfect! 😊

[@r.jay2691]

I made this cake five years ago for my family, they loved it .

[@zacharyjohnston1957]

Made your chocolate chip scones and peanut butter cake for Father’s Day, they were both massive hits.

[@PreppyKitchen]

Yay!! Happy baking!!!

[@mariadelosangelescampos5195]

Hi John, thank you for this recipe, I tried it and it was just perfect and delicious.

[@keiyangoshin3650]

Ooh! Chic layered desert. ❤️ Genoise batter and can be gluten free as you use ground almonds instead of flour. Remember if you have trouble getting those white peaks try a drop or two or lemon juice or vinegar (or cream of tartare). Careful with the temperature for that chocolate glaze. Too much heat and it will lose it’s shine. Caramel is lava hot! Take every precaution! Once you have followed all of Mr. Kanell’s instructions all that’s left is enjoying your delicious creation. 😋

[@keiyangoshin3650]

@Dan the Baker man - You’re right. This can be a gluten-free recipe if you replace the all purpose flour by corn starch for example. With rice flour you likely won’t get structure unless you add something like xantham gum.

[@thuyanhong3762]

how can you make it so perfecti really love this type of videos, so quiet, so nice, everything is so relaxing, thank you so much for blessing my soul

[@jazzy_taste]

*All that fluffy layers and the nice ganache on top are sooo tempting 🤤*

[@PreppyKitchen]

They MELT in your mouth 😍💖💖

[@deescateringservices5997]

Please in absence of the real semisweet chocolate, can I achieve the same result with cocoa powder, butter and icing sugar

[@attifer6539]

@@deescateringservices5997 as a pastry chef I can tell you that you can't get the same result and taste when change the ingredients

[@Automedon2]

Well, mine is in the fridge prior to the final chocolate layer. Boy, that was time consuming. I started at about 1:45 and it's 4:15 now. I watched one video (Japanese), where he assembled the cake upside down in a square cake mold, and I think he froze it, because it came out with a perfectly smooth buttercream top when he unmolded it and then he poured the chocolate over. It looked spectacular.

[@akmediascope]

I love that you add historical meaning to your recipes

[@darkestserenity6775]

fantastic I saw your recipe for this cake weeks ago but was waiting for the vid so much easier to follow you step by step can't wait to make this thanks John

[@PreppyKitchen]

My pleasure!!!!💖

[@RyeleeMa]

Looks incredible! 🤩 Also, I made your coconut cupcakes for a graduation party this weekend and they are absolutely amazing! 🥰

[@PreppyKitchen]

Thank you!!! That’s a recipe I love so much!!

[@tammiemartinez6485]

Can you please tell me which titled video these are under? I just checked John's playlist. Under John's favorite coconut and cupcakes playlists I didn't see one under fav coconut and the only one I saw that had coconut on them in the coconut playlist was the Easter cupcake video... 🤷‍♀️

[@sweetasmaria]

You make it look so easy. I attempted making this very fancy cake following another video back in 2020. It tastes really good but my layering wasn’t pretty at all 😅 Now I want to try again because I want this cake for my birthday coming soon 😍

[@moniquethomas6480]

I had to do this for school and I loved it!

[@tootsiepeter39]

I love you John, i saw the recipe on the blog and i was wishing for a video, thank you so much

[@dricman]

Me encanta el video seguí la receta al pie de la letra y me quedo espectacular ❤️

[@bidpaychecks9649]

i really love your videos and i would prefer them with no music just the sound of your cooking

[@shawnshine7703]

theres so many components to it but dang this cake looks heavenly 🤤🤤

[@inescardillo8829]

Wow! Your instructions make it easy to prepare this amazing dessert!

[@nmcb42dhruvsharma15]

This cake is really beautiful and elegant made by the most handsome and lovely person John.... Love you so much ❤️

[@PreppyKitchen]

That is tooo kind. Thank you!

[@ohifonlyx33]

french desserts really do be on another level....

[@tseheather]

I saw this made on the Great British Baking Show and they had to make the top a mirror glaze chocolate.

[@DavidThompson-vy3dj]

A good tip for adding melted butter into a light cake batter like that is to take a small portion of batter into a bowl and add the melted butter to that, then add that batter with the melted butter in into the rest of the batter so it doesn’t lose as much air, as opposed to just adding the butter straight into the batter

[@brie1026]

But don't you end up having to mix the melted-butter-batter & the non-melted-butter batter together? Doesn't air still escape that way?

[@DavidThompson-vy3dj]

@@brie1026 it’s so that the melted butter deflates the batter and by mixing some in beforehand it lessens how much it deflates

[@jamiescott5461]

Awesome ! You do a great job showing how to make more challenging things. Your tricks and tips are great. Lots of luv ❤️❤️🌈🌈

[@Emily-hd9sm]

Sooo pretty 😍. Can't do highly involved recipes right now because I broke my ankle recently and have to roll around my kitchen in my desk chair to cook while leaning against the counter on one leg when I need to stand, but I'll be saving this one and bingeing your quick and easy recipes playlist in the meantime!

[@shahedaparveen7312]

I love your recipes so much. Could you also share a version with whole wheat flour instead of all purpose

[@lryhc]

You make it look less daunting than it looks! I’m trying this when the weather is cooler!

[@jennyrebecca7243]

Opera cake! The bane of my pastry class existence 😂😂 however, it’s absolutely deeeeelicious!!!!!

[@Karess8701]

French desserts are my FAVORITE so I’m soo glad your made this! Following your instructions are way easier than when I made it years ago!

[@natalinakeva3113]

This is a new cake for me and i’m already craving it!!!

[@lenaafonso7610]

Turned out very beautiful, thank you for the lovely recipe.

[@user-fj6xl8rw8j]

Hi John! I was wondering what your tip would be if we want to lessen the sugar in cakes and other desserts? Do we have to replace the sugar with something else? Thank you!

[@soop5414]

Most desserts are too sweet. Cut out 1/4 of the sugar and see if you like it. Then plan future bakes accordingly.

[@user-fj6xl8rw8j]

@@soop5414 Oh ok. Thank you for the tip!

[@johnjohn741]

John you are a masterchef. I'm going to try a slice of this and if I like it I'm going to make one. Thank you

[@dianadambrosio1]

Thank you for all of your effort to bring us yet another incredible recipe .. this Opera cake looks so delicious I can’t stand it lol Prep looks daunting… but I know if I follow your step by step I can do this . 😀😊

[@vitalinaengland5237]

We make orange 🍊 cake, chocolate strawberry 🍓 cake it's absolutely delicious 😋 😍 👌 😜

[@chickeen371]

Im going to make this for my birthday. I love baking and it looks funQ

[@TheDirle]

Writing on a piece of plastic, chilling it, and then transferring the text to the cake would make it easier to get the text perfect since you would have an erase option. :) A blast with the heat gun after transfer would blend text and cake.

[@olimpiarossettikrauss1884]

Love that you made a european cake! They are my jamm

[@PreppyKitchen]

SOOOOO MANY cakes to make 😍

[@rosacortes5074]

This is gorgeous! I love your kitchen!!!!!💃💃💃💃

[@baileyhollywood8327]

You make it look so easy John I wish I could have half your talent

[@sunameliabattig6848]

It looks delicious!! I'm going to make it next week, thanks for all your delicious recipes 👍😋

[@nuhaqaji8680]

Beautiful and amazing made John 💜🌹🙏🌈

[@neveah042]

Great recipe! Made it in a double batch as a birthday cake. Came out perfect.❤

[@antonin1477]

An even fancier French dessert is the Saint Honoré! You should try it...

[@PreppyKitchen]

It is on my list!!!!

[@antonin1477]

@@PreppyKitchen j'adore le Saint Honoré !

[@thanhhaeo4458]

a really elegant and pretty cake

[@foldobjetos4494]

That cake looks amazing! You should make a Argentinean clasic the "CHOCOTORTA". It's really easy and it's delicious. You'll need chocolate cookies (Chocolinas is the brand), Dulce de Leche, Cream Cheese, milk, also alcohol if it's for grown ups (it can be Bailey's, Amarula, Whiskey, Amaretto, Tía María) and cocoa powder. Mix 50/50 dulce de leche and cream cheese (you can make it 40/60 if the DDL is very sweet). Then in a pan you layer the cookies moistened in the milk/alcohol mixture and layer cookies/cream/cookies/cream. Finishing with a cookie layer. The cream layers have to be generous because otherwise the cookies will absored all the mixture and it will be dry. Leave in the fridge overnight and you'll have an amazing ans easy cake.

[@dianaadamo5574]

That sounds just like tiramisu, just with chocolate cookies instead of vanilla ones! I wonder if the large Italian immigrant population in Argentina popularized this dessert there...

[@foldobjetos4494]

@@dianaadamo5574 It's nothing like tiramisú. The only similarities are that it's a cold dessert and that it has layers. The Italian immigration has nothing to do with the history of this dessert. It was invented my a housewife back in the 80's when she wanted to make and easy cake for her kids and then it was used in an commerical and now it's the most popular cake in Argentina. It's really really good. You can't stop eating it. LOL

[@amanasahan31]

Thanks sir❤ I'm from Bangladesh 🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩 I'm your big fann😘😘😊

[@CoreyChambersLA]

Opera cake is a French dessert made with layers of almond sponge cake soaked in coffee syrup, layered with ganache and coffee French buttercream, covered in a chocolate glaze. Its name comes from the layers resembling the levels of an opera house.

[@nikkilovesrocks]

@8:44 I'm here for the French Buttercream Yay! & the Cheer! 😆 Love U John! 🙌👏🙌

[@PreppyKitchen]

Thanks Nikki! French buttercream is the BEST!!!

[@DiaDia18]

Very nice dessert recipie Jonh! They looks amazing! Thanks for the story of these recipie! What is the size of you pan in cm? I don't know the inches! Have a nice day! 👍👏🍫🍫🍫

[@Hannah-ng5qs]

I’ve never heard of this one before but it looks really tasty!😋

[@PreppyKitchen]

It’s a must make dessert😍

[@jamilazainalabid2798]

Thank you 🙏 for sharing your lovely recipes. I made last week the coffee cake very delicious 😋

[@postmarkwhiz512]

i love your recipes love watching you cook you seem so perfect and professional l lots of love and good wishes to you

ps.if you use a hair dryier to heat up the cake, buy a new one just for that :D grat video, I´m gonna try this today!!

[@leolimabroker]

Cozinhar é uma arte!

[@SanMarcosMakes]

amazing great job you made a very complex cake look easy little above me still but a joy to watch Thanks John

[@pallavisreetambraparni6995]

I love opera. so I am going to love this cake

[@NidhiSharma-hl1gp]

You are are a genius John!

[@ligiasoaresrodrigues9685]

Thank you for sharring, i m going to prepare this cake for my birthday its around the corner, i wish you were here. I would love to meet you. God bless you.

[@dilminimasha1757]

Ohh look amazing. I like your recipe . Always you bring nice recipes thank you🙏

[@yvettelosoya8169]

I have to try this recipe. Your recipes are my go-to when I want to make impressive desserts. Seriously, every time I make your recipes people are impressed! So, I had always wanted to try honey cake and saw that you don't have any recipes for it. Do you by any chance have a recipe for honey cake you could make a video on? 😇 Please with sugar on top? Or in this case, honey?😄

[@PreppyKitchen]

Thanks so much Yvette! I have a ton of recipes in process so stay tuned :)

[@hastyruins]

Any alternatives to almond flour? Can we use regular all purpose flour instead? I don't think almond flour is available where I live

[@rca9936]

My husband wants me to try to make this for his birthday this week and I’m so nervous, especially after reading the comments lol he makes it look easy.

[@mariatheresavonhabsburg]

Try this recipe out a few days beforehand, and you'll be able to get it right without any major issues. 😉 Good luck!

[@betchieharrison5526]

Can't wait to make this. ❤❤❤❤❤ always love your cooking channel

[@lynnlight984]

This looks amazing! Can you suggest something to replace the coffee? Maybe a fruit based layer?

[@PreppyKitchen]

You could actually use any flavor to make it your own. Rasberries might make a nice syrup to compliment the chocolate :)

[@traceymollet5063]

Omg John! I’ve never made an opera cake before, but I’m definitely going to give it a go! X

[@melodybeitzel5378]

What a brilliant idea for a cake 🎂 I loved it 😍 and looks delicious 😋

[@claudiacruz2381]

Hello John 👋 another amazing repice yummy 😋

[@PreppyKitchen]

Thank you Claudia!!

[@lilymoras2787]

Recently discovered your channel and have really enjoyed your videos! I’ve tried quite a few recipes and they’ve turned out amazing 🤩 What an intricate cake; such an interesting recipe.

[@PreppyKitchen]

Thank you lily!!!!

[@leetdwbrunoyl420]

i love your videos they are so incredibly relaxing

[@jdmxxx38]

Outstanding baking and repartee

[@Melissa-dn5kd]

Looks deliciously beautiful.

[@danieladuga5215]

Thankyou for the first time I understand this [opera] cake Yes u are very good