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Wednesday 28 May 2008

The Daring Bakers Sing in Tune with Opéra Cake



It’s that time of month again to reveal the Daring Bakers Challenge and what an amazing baking challenge this has been! The Opéra Cake for this challenge is being made in light colours and flavours and not the normal dark colours and flavours of chocolate, coffee.

Firstly I would like to dedicate my month’s challenge to Barbara of winosandfoodies.com Barbara is the force behind the food blog event called A Taste of Yellow that supports the LiveStrong foundation started by Lance Armstrong

This month’s Daring Bakers challenge is being hosted by the Daring Bakers co-founders, Lis La Mia Cucina and Ivonne Creampuffs in Venice and co-hosted by Fran of Apples Peaches Pumpkin Pie and Shea of Whiskful. – many thanks for hosting this month’s event! I absolutely adore citrus flavours and I just happened to have a bottle of Limoncello liqueur and juicy lemons in eagerness for baking this cake. An opera cake is made up of four elements, although we Daring Bakers were given the optional choice of making the ganache mousse and just layering with buttercream, I went the whole hog and made the four elements.

The Four Elements to 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 : In some recipes, the final layer of the joconde is covered in a ganache or mousse.

I thoroughly enjoyed making this cake and if I am being honest when I started to make each element this cake wasn’t as difficult to achieve as I first thought! It could even be made in stages and left in the fridge to assemble at a later date.




To finalise my decorations I sliced my cake into sections, I whipped some fresh cream and piped it on in swirls and made two theatre masks in sugarpaste on half of the cake and the remaining slices I placed swirls of whipped fresh cream and sugar flowers, sugar stars and jelly lemons.

With all the lemon flavours running through this is one truly amazing tasting cake and one that I will be making in the future for special occasions.



76 comments:

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

Rosie, I wouldn't expect your cake to be anything but beautiful and I'm not disappointed. What I really loved is the decoration. Truly unique.

Cakelaw said...

Beautiful cake Rosie - your decorations are cool! The glaze looks like caramel - one of my favourite things!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, very nice deco on this one, lovely :)

Finla said...

Rosie they looks so good.
All those difficult stages to make .
Congragulations.
I would love to taste a piece

Maggie said...

Wow Rosie! What an amazing achievement - well done!! Mx

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Hey Rosie. What a beautiful cake as always!!!!!! We both chose to keep with the lemon theme in honour of the Taste of Yellow Event. I could reach into the screen and take some of yours but I have already had 3 pieces....:D

Mama Mia said...

wow! your opera cake looks amazing! I love the little drama masks! ;)

glamah16 said...

Stunning!I love it.

RecipeGirl said...

Such a beautiful job! I love the theater mask decorations :)

Half Baked said...

Wow I'm the first to comment:) Your opera cake blows me away! the little masks are sooo cool! Amazing job on this challenge!

toontz said...

Oh yum! I would love all that lemon! Great job!

Judy@nofearentertaining said...

Wonderful cake! I bet the flavors were incredible together?

Donna said...

How DO YOU Manage to do such beautiful work???? Happy day of baking, sweetie!!!hughugs

Deeba PAB said...

FABULOUS Rosie my dear...what a wonderful sight to behold! An Opera you can watch for hours together & some lucky ones get to eat it too! Very very nice...love the sugarpaste masks; how novel!! Do you make your sugarpaste at home (if yes, with egg whites?), or is it bought! I'm truly fascinated!! XOXOX

Gloria Baker said...

Really lovely Cake Rosie look so beauty and delicious!!! how ever!! xxxGloria

Lou @ The Higher Nest said...

It's amazing what you did with sugarpaste. Your cake came out amazingly!

Swati said...

Beautiful and delicious cake as always Rosie...I say this all the time and mean it to the core!!
Love the masks too :))

Swati said...

Beautiful and delicious cake as always Rosie...I say this all the time and mean it to the core!!
Love the masks too :))

Kelly-Jane said...

Wonderful cakes! and love your decorations :) Well done.

Kelly-Jane said...

Wonderful cakes! and love your decorations :) Well done.

Kelly-Jane said...

Wonderful cakes! and love your decorations :) Well done.

Sylvie said...

Wow Rosie. I wish I was as nifty a baker and cake decorator as you!

Mary said...

Your cake is seriously amazing. I love the decorations!

Anonymous said...

Rosie, your cake looks absolutely fantastic!It is true! I love how you decorated it. Love love the idea of masks! How cute! I was initially going to decorate mine with the notes from Bizet's Carmen:) but then I changed my mind when the glaze didn't quite turn out the way I expected. You did a great job!

Abitofafoodie said...

That is one truly stunning cake, Rosie. Just beautiful!

Coffee and Vanilla said...

Wow, it looks amazing Rosie :)

I have never tried yet opera cake... looks very appetizing ;)

Have a nice day, Margot

Chef Jeena said...

Wow Rosie this is a stunning cake. I love the masks!

I still think you must set up your own little bakers shop with all your lovely recipes. :-D

test it comm said...

Your opera cake looks great! Really nice job decorating it! I like the masks on top.

maybelles mom said...

love the sugar masks.

Lesley said...

Wow, that is an extravaganza! Great job, just great and so creative.

hungryandfrozen said...

Rosie, that cake is gorgeous! I love those theatre masks :) what a great job you have done.

Big Boys Oven said...

this is an awesome opera that comes with 3-D mask!

Peabody said...

You really out did yourself. Job well done.

Alfie said...

What a beautiful looking cake - I love the touch with the opera masks!

Emily said...

I'm so impressed! This looks awesome!

Shelby said...

Very creative! Great job!

Clumbsy Cookie said...

Such creativity!

Silvia - Magnolia Wedding Planner said...

Rosie darling! You are an artist! This opera cake is stunning really outstanding!! :-D thanks for the recipe and the details..I'm afraid I have to study a little bit more on my flapjakes before doing something so difficult :-D you'll see what I mean on Sunday :-D what a mess I am!
A big kiss and always a pleasure reading you and dreaming of having your cake here with me :-P
Kiss
Silvia

Silvia - Magnolia Wedding Planner said...

Rosie darling! You are an artist! This opera cake is stunning really outstanding!! :-D thanks for the recipe and the details..I'm afraid I have to study a little bit more on my flapjakes before doing something so difficult :-D you'll see what I mean on Sunday :-D what a mess I am!
A big kiss and always a pleasure reading you and dreaming of having your cake here with me :-P
Kiss
Silvia

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful, I like your decorations very much!

Chibog in Chief said...

lovely lovely opera!! i adore those little stars on the top they look so cute!!

Mcwhisky said...

Your artwork was superb. I'm impressed. The theater mask rocks! Love the whole presentation of your opera cake! :)

toontz said...

So pretty, and I bet that lemon cut the sweetness just enough. Great job!

marias23 said...

Rosie, your opera cake looks scrumptious! I adore your sugarpaste masks and the limoncello is brilliant! You guys are all making me wish I didn't have to miss this challenge!

Judy@nofearentertaining said...

Great decorations on this cake. It looks incredible!!!

Uma said...

wow, wow, an opera cake! lovely and mouth-watering. beautiful decorations!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Your cake looks very pretty and delicious! I love the flavor you used! Wonderful!

Cheers,

Rosa

Trekkie said...

It's a work of art!!!!!!

Rosie said...

Many thanks everyone for all you very kind comments on my Opéra Cake. I really did enjoy this month’s challenge very much.
Many of my relations have suffered with cancer and sadly passed away and my dear mother and brother were the latest’s victims to pass away with cancer. I thought it was very fitting to dedicate this month’s D.B to Barbara of winosandfoodies.com .and my reason for keeping the colours in yellow as much as possible in a tribute to this cause.

Hi Aspana, awe many thanks for your kind comment – you know how to make my day!

Hi Cakelaw, thank you!! Hubby just adored this cake and went back for more lol

Hi Zita, many thanks and lovely to *see* you here :D

Hi Happy, the recipe sounds difficult but when I started to bake this cake is was easier than I thought it would be. One to try out for sure!

Hi M, awe thanks sweetie :D

Hi Val, many thanks!! I really wanted to honour the Taste of Yellow Event, great to hear you have too and your cake is very beautiful :D

Hi Lina, you really are so kind – thank you :D

Hi Coco, many thanks and I just loved your flower on your cake!

Hi Recipegirl, it was such fun making those masks – thank you :D

Hi Half baked, you really are so kind – many thanks :D

Hi Toonz, awe thank you :D


Best wishes Rosie x

Rosie said...

Hi Judy, I adore citrus flavours but have to admit this was one great tasting cake, from a great recipe :D

Hi Donna, you are always SO sweet many thanks hugshugs xoxox

Deeba, I make my own sugarpaste it includes, liquid glucose, pasteurised powdered egg whites, icing sugar, a powder to harden off the paste when drying. The next time I make some sugarpaste I will take photos and write the recipe up and blog it.

Hi Gloria, I wish I could pass you a slice over – many thanks for your kind words :D


Hi Lou, Awe thank you :D

Hi Swati, ahh thank you sweetie you are SO kind ! My only wish would be to be able to sugarcraft as you do with outstanding achievement. :D

Hi K.J. as always many thanks sweetie, I love your cake & sprinkles very beautiful :D

Hi Sylvia, thank you!! I know you are a great baker sweetie and would love to sample your delightful creations :D

Hi Mary, thank you so much you are so kind :D

Hi farida, thank you and your cake looks stunning sweetie!!

Hi Antonia, awe thanks and it was delicious but that’s down to a great recipe to follow :D

Hi Margot, thank you! Oh you MUST try this cake out it really is such a wonderful cake and would be great for any celebration :D

Best wishes Rosie x

Rosie said...

Hi Jeena, awe thanks. Given half a chance I would love to open my own bakery shop/tea room, I can dream :D

Hi Kevin, the masks were such fun to make I didn’t quite get the laughing one 100% but practice makes perfect or so I’m told :D

Maybelles parents, thank you :D

Hi Lesley, awe many thanks :D

Hi Laura, you are so kind – thank you :D

Hi big boy’s oven, many thanks it was such fun to make:D

Hi Peabody, awe thank you :D

Hi Alfie, thank you!! The masks were such fun to make :D


Best wishes Rosie x

Rosie said...

Hi Emiline, awe thank you what a very kind compliment : D

Hi HoneyB, many thanks :D

Hi Clumbsy cookie, thank you so much :D

Hi Silvia, awe thank you sweetie as always!! I am so looking forward to viewing your bake on Sunday - I just know those flapjacks are going to be great!!


Hi rancijn, thank you and the decorations were fun to make :D


Hi Dhanggit, awe thank you sweetie – you are always so kind :D

Hi Mcwhisky, many, many thanks – you sure know how to put a smile on my face!! :D

Best wishes Rosie x

Rosie said...

Hi marias23, I am sorry to hear you missed this challenge what a shame! Many thanks for all your kind words :D

Hi Uma, thank you sweetie and as always you are so kind :D

Hi Rosa, thank you :D

Hi Trekkie, many thanks :D

Best wishes Rosie x

Deborah said...

Your cake is gorgeous Rosie! Those masks just make everything so perfect!

Lori said...

Yours was one of my favs. You are in my top five. I just love the mask! Very talented and creative! Like your choice in flavorings.

Cakespy said...

Your cake not only sounds delicious, but you win points for "most adorable garnish"!!!! Love the drama masks!

Thinking About Food said...

Magnificent Rosie, I didn't get around to this one but would still love to try it!

Ruth Strong said...

Hey Rosie your cake turned out beautifully!!! I love your decorations

Christine said...

I love the decorations on the cake the masks are the best! Your cake is absolutely stunning!

JillyB said...

What a stunning cake Rosie! It truly looks to be a labour of love and I'd love to try a piece too!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful decorating :)

Anonymous said...

Your creative expertise never ceases to amaze us .... Impressed .

Kitty & Erica .

Rosie said...

Hi Lori, wow what a huge compliment that is so sweet of you to say – many thanks :D

Hi cakespy, thanks, I just loved making those little masks. If I had put my mind to it I was also thinking of making opera glasses too but time just seemed to fly by as it does!

Hi Linda, awe many thanks sweetie :D

Hi Ruth, awe thanks you really are so kind :D

Hi Christine, thank you So much and also for calling by :D

Hi Jilly, thanks and I would love to share a piece of cake with you :D

Hi madcapcupcake, many thanks and love to *see* you here :D

Hi Kitty & Erica, thank you both and sorry you didn’t manage to taste a slice this time!!

Many, many thanks everyone for all your kind comments and also for calling by always lovely to *see* you here!!

Best wishes Rosie x

Maria♥ said...

Rosie you truly are one talented lady and this is just proof of that!! Absolutely beautiful.

Maria
x

Rosie said...

Thank you Maria you are such a good friend :)

Best wishes Rosie x

Ivy said...

What a lovely cake you've made Rosie. Absolutely stunning as all your cakes are.

Shari@Whisk: a food blog said...

The masks are a creative and perfect adornment for this cake!
Shari@Whisk: a food blog

Anonymous said...

Wow Rosie! That looks amazing.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! You are so talented!

Anitha said...

Hey Rosie, The cake looks so tempting & mouth-watering. The combination of the different layers sounds so yummy.

Anitha

giz said...

Uber gorgeous - the cake is divine and I'm crazy about the comedy and tragedy masks. I've been looking for them for ages and can't find them. Just love it.

Rosie said...

Lovely to *see* you all and a warm welcome to all!

Awe thank you everyone you are all so very kind :)

Best wishes Rosie x

Jaime said...

your cakes are amazing!!! love how you decorate them, so impressive!

Anna said...

Oh wow, I love those little sugarpaste masks so much! They're just the perfect touch. You never fail to amaze me!

Nic said...

Like you need another comment - but I wanted to say 'fabulous'!

Rosie said...

Hi Jaime awe thank you SO much :) I am trying to teach myself sugarcraft it's slow going but I thought the masks would be a nice finish for this cake.

Hi Indigo, many thanks sweetie you are so kind :)

Hi Nic, awe thanks sweetie and I always love your comments :)

Best wishes Rosie x