Opera cake with pecans

The opera is an iconic Parisian pastry built up in layers. In this recipe, the traditional butter cream has made room for a more intense pecan-flavoured butter cream. The dark chocolate ganache gives it a solid flavour. Can be served as dessert or sold in small, individual portions in pastry shops.
Level:
Medium

Almond sponge cake

Ingredients: Almond sponge cake

  • 450 g
    Almond powder
  • 60 g
    Flour
  • 410 g
    Whole egg(s)

Preparation: Almond sponge cake

Mix together.

Ingredients: Almond sponge cake

  • 220 g
    Egg white
  • 40 g
    Sugar

Preparation: Almond sponge cake

Mix and fold in carefully.

Ingredients: Almond sponge cake

  • 65 g
    Butter

Preparation: Almond sponge cake

Mix in.

Spread on 2 baking plates of 40 x 60 cm. Bake 7-8 minutes at 220°C.

Pecan flavoured butter cream

Ingredients: Pecan flavoured butter cream

  • 390 g
    Whole milk
  • 120 g
    Sugar
  • 1 g
    Vanilla
  • 240 g
    Egg yolks
  • 120 g
    Sugar
  • 250 g
    Pecan paste

Preparation: Pecan flavoured butter cream

Prepare a crème anglaise in the blender. Leave to cool to 40°C.

Ingredients: Pecan flavoured butter cream

  • 750 g
    Softened butter

Preparation: Pecan flavoured butter cream

Mix in.

Ingredients: Pecan flavoured butter cream

  • 150 g
    Italian meringue

Preparation: Pecan flavoured butter cream

Fold in with a spatula.

Orange syrup

Ingredients: Orange syrup

  • 200 g
    Orange juice
  • 200 g
    Syrup at 30 brix
  • 50 g
    Cointreau

Preparation: Orange syrup

Mix together.

Ganache

Ingredients: Ganache

  • 600 g
    Milk
  • 100 g
    Cream

Preparation: Ganache

Boil together.

Preparation: Ganache

Pour the milk onto the chocolate and emulsify.

Ingredients: Ganache

  • 180 g
    Butter

Preparation: Ganache

Mix in at 35°C.