Best Opera Recipes

OPERA FUDGE

Steps:

• Butter a rimmed baking sheet; set aside.
• Mix sugar and cream together in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan. Place over medium-low heat and bring to a boil. Add butter, and cook, without stirring, until mixture reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer, 50 to 60 minutes.
• Pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Let cool 2 hours. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and stir in vanilla. Using your hands, begin to pull and press the mixture. Keep pulling and kneading mixture until it lightens in color, loses its shine, and no longer sticks to your fingers, 15 to 45 minutes. Roll mixture into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until firm and cold, about 10 minutes.
• In a heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water, melt chocolate and food paraffin, stirring until smooth and well combined. Using a toothpick, dip each ball into chocolate mixture, and return to baking sheet. Refrigerate until fudge is chilled and chocolate has set, about 30 minutes. Bring to room temperature before serving.

OPERA CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line 2 jelly roll pans with parchment paper.
• Beat egg whites in a glass, metal, or ceramic bowl until soft peaks form. Slowly add white sugar and whip on high speed until the whites are stiff and glossy.
• Beat almond flour, confectioners' sugar, eggs, and egg yolks in a separate bowl for 3 minutes. Add flour and beat on low speed until combined. Gently fold egg whites into the almond mixture until combined. Divide batter between the jelly roll pans; spread evenly.
• Bake cake layers in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Invert onto cooling racks and peel off parchment paper; let cool.
• Make coffee syrup while cake is cooling. Combine boiling water, sugar, and coffee powder in a small bowl; stir until dissolved.
• Stir 2 tablespoons boiling water and coffee powder together for the buttercream. Set aside.
• Combine sugar, 1/4 cup water, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the mixture reaches 255 degrees F (124 degrees C).
• Meanwhile, beat egg and egg yolk in a stand mixer on high speed until pale and foamy. Pour hot sugar syrup carefully down the side of the mixer bowl, mixing continuously until the bottom of the bowl feels cool to the touch.
• Beat butter in a separate bowl until creamy. Add butter gradually to the egg mixture, beating until frosting is fluffy. Add the dissolved coffee mixture and beat until well incorporated.
• Place dark chocolate in a heat-proof bowl. Bring milk and cream to a boil in a saucepan. Pour over chocolate; stir until melted and smooth. Whisk in butter until ganache looks smooth and creamy. Let cool.
• Cut cooled cake layers in half crosswise. Place 1 piece on a rectangular serving plate. Sprinkle some coffee syrup on top. Add an even layer of buttercream. Repeat with a second cake layer, more coffee syrup, and another layer of buttercream. Spread 1/2 of the ganache on top. Repeat with remaining, cake layers, coffee syrup, and buttercream. Top cake with remaining ganache.

OPERA CAKE

Steps:

• Make sponge cake:
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 425°F. Butter baking pan, then line bottom with a sheet of parchment or wax paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on short sides, and generously butter paper. Dust pan with cake flour, knocking out excess.
• Beat whole eggs in a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer at high speed until eggs have tripled in volume and form a ribbon when beaters are lifted, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low, then add almond flour and confectioners sugar and mix until just combined. Resift cake flour over batter and gently fold in.
• Beat egg whites in a bowl with cleaned beaters at medium speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar and salt and beat until whites just hold soft peaks. Add granulated sugar, then increase speed to high and beat until whites just hold stiff peaks.
• Fold one third of whites into almond mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly. Fold in butter, then pour batter evenly into baking pan, spreading gently and evenly with offset spatula and being careful not to deflate (batter will be about 1/4 inch thick).
• Bake until very pale golden, 8 to 10 minutes, then cool in pan on a rack 10 minutes.
• Loosen edges of cake with spatula, then transfer cake (on paper) to a cutting board. Cut cake into strips and squares. Trim outside edges slightly, then carefully peel paper from strips and squares and set back on paper.
• Make coffee syrup:
• Stir together espresso powder and 1 tablespoon water until powder is dissolved. Bring sugar and remaining 1/2 cup water to a boil in a 1- to 2-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Reduce heat and simmer syrup, without stirring, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Cognac and coffee mixture.
• Make coffee buttercream:
• Stir together espresso powder and 1 tablespoon water until powder is dissolved. Bring sugar and remaining 1/4 cup water to a boil in a very small heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Boil, without stirring, washing down any sugar crystals on side of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water, until syrup registers 238°F on thermometer (soft-ball stage; see cooks' note, below).
• While syrup boils, beat yolks in a large bowl with cleaned beaters at medium speed 1 minute.
• Add hot syrup to yolks in a slow stream (try to avoid beaters and side of bowl), beating, then add coffee mixture and beat until completely cool, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in butter, 1 piece at a time, and beat until thickened and smooth.
• Make glaze:
• Melt butter and all but 2 tablespoons chopped chocolate in a double boiler or in a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Remove top of double boiler and stir in remaining 2 tablespoons chocolate until smooth, then cool glaze until room temperature but still liquid.
• Assemble cake:
• Put 1 cake square on a plate, then brush generously with one third of coffee syrup. Spread half of buttercream evenly over top with cleaned offset spatula, spreading to edges.
• Arrange both cake strips side by side on top of first layer (any seam will be hidden by next layer), then brush with half of remaining coffee syrup. Spread half of glaze evenly over top, spreading just to edges.
• Top with remaining cake square and brush with remaining coffee syrup. Spread remaining buttercream evenly over top, spreading just to edges. Chill cake until buttercream is firm, about 30 minutes.
• Reheat remaining glaze over barely simmering water just until shiny and spreadable (but not warm to the touch), about 1 minute. Pour all but 1 tablespoon glaze over top layer of cake and spread evenly just to edges. Scrape remaining tablespoon glaze into sealable plastic bag and twist bag so glaze is in 1 corner. Snip a tiny hole in corner and decorate cake (leave a 1/2-inch border around edges). Chill cake until glaze is set, about 30 minutes, then trim edges slightly with a sharp serrated knife.

OPERA FUDGE

Steps:

• Butter sides of a heavy 2 quart saucepan.
• In it combine sugar milk cream corn syrup and salt.
• Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to boiling.
• Cook to soft ball stage (236°F).
• Immediately remove from heat.
• Cook to lukewarm (110°F) without stirring.
• Add butter and vanilla.
• Beat vigorously until mixture becomes very thick and starts to lose its gloss.
• Quickly stir in cherries and pour into buttered shallow pan. Mark while warm; cut when firm.

OPERA FUDGE 3- VERSIONS

Steps:

• 1. Butter the sides of a heavy 2 quart saucepan. In it combine the first 4 ingredients. Cook and stir over medium-low heat till mixture boil. Cook to soft ball stage(238^), stirring only to prevent sticking(mixture should boil gently over entire surface). Remove from heat;add butter and vanilla but do not stir. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP. Cool, without stirring, to lukewarm(110^), about 55 minutes. Then beat fast about 10 minutes or till mixture loses its shine. Spread in a buttered loaf pan 8x4-inch. Score while warm; cut when firm. --- Cherry Opera Fudge: Make as above, except stir in 1/4 cup or more chopped candied cherries,before spreading into loaf pan. --- Almond Opera Fudge: Prepare as above ,except add 1/4 teaspoon almond extract with vanilla; stir in 1/3 or more chopped toasted almonds before spreading into loaf pan.

OPERA CREAMS

Steps:

• Combine sugar, cream, corn syrup, butter, and salt in a heavy saucepan and cook over low heat until sugar is dissolved, stirring constantly. Cook to soft ball stage (238 degrees F on candy thermometer), stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, and add maple flavoring and vanilla. Pour into a large bowl and beat with a mixer until creamy. Add pecans. Drop by teaspoonsful onto buttered waxed paper. Let cool for 1 hour. Store in an airtight container between layers of waxed paper.

WHITE FUDGE (OPERA FUDGE)

Steps:

• Oil a jelly roll pan OR an 8 x 8 pan.
• Combine the sugar, cream and salt in a 3 quart heavy pot, stirring to blend well
• Place over medium heat and, stirring constantly, bring to a boil.
• Cover and let boil for 2 or 3 minutes.
• Uncover and wash down the sides of the pot with a pastry brush dipped in cold water
• Continue to boil over medium heat, WITHOUT STIRRING, until the syrup reaches the soft ball stage (234F)
• Remove the pot to a cooling rack and let cool to lukewarm (110F) WITHOUT STIRRING.
• Add the vanilla, whip until creamy, then spread in the oiled pan.
• To keep it creamy, cover the top of the candy with a damp cloth or paper towel for at least 30 minutes.
• Uncover, let set until firm and cut into squares.
• Store in airtight container.

MARTIMMY -- OFFICIAL DRINK OF THE SOAP OPERA PASSIONS

Steps:

• Combine liquid ingredients together, mix well. Serve chilled with a slice of orange.
• *****Personal note: Sadly, Joshua Ryan Evans who played Timmy passed away on August 5, 2002. In a strange twist of art imitating life, the character Timmy was to give the character Charity a heart transplant. Joshua died on the same day the episode aired due to complications with his heart during routine testing. Joshua suffered from achondroplasia, a genetic condition that restricts cartilage growth and physical development. He was only 3'2" tall although he was already 17 years old when he started on the show, hence his role as a doll. All said of him that what he lacked in stature he made up for in heart. He was 20 years old. Other film credits included "Ally McBeal", "7th Heaven", "Baby Geniuses" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." *****.

OPERA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line the bottom of two 10x15 inch pans with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, beat 12 egg whites, gradually adding 3/4 cup sugar, until stiff. In a separate bowl, beat together 10 eggs, ground almonds, confectioners' sugar and pastry flour until smooth. Stir in melted butter. Fold in beaten egg whites. Spread batter evenly in prepared pans.
• Bake in preheated oven 10 minutes, or until center springs back when lightly touched. Invert cakes onto wire racks and remove parchment. Let cool completely.
• For the buttercream, combine 1 1/4 cups sugar and 3/8 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat to between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface.
• While the syrup is heating, begin beating the 3 egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed. When syrup is ready, increase mixer speed to high, and pour syrup into egg whites in a thin stream. Continue to beat until mixture is room temperature. Beat in butter, a little at a time, and coffee extract until smooth.
• For the ganache, bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Pour over chopped chocolate and stir until all is melted. Let cool in refrigerator.
• To make the coffee syrup, combine 1 cup sugar with 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 1 minute more. Stir in instant coffee until dissolved.
• To assemble the dessert: Cut each sheet of cake in half. You will use 3 halves for the layers of the Opera -- reserve the fourth for another dessert. Place one cake layer on a flat plate. Soak with half of the coffee syrup. Spread with half the ganache to make an even layer about as thick as the cake layer. Top with another layer of cake, soak it with coffee syrup, and spread an even layer of buttercream over that. Top with third cake layer. Chill in refrigerator 1 hour.
• To finish, heat remaining ganache in a double boiler over simmering water until liquid. Place Opera on a rack over parchment paper and pour ganache over top, completely covering surface, using a spatula to spread if necessary. Chill in refrigerator until ganache is firm, then trim sides of Opera and cut into 8 slices to serve.

OPERA CREAMS CANDIES

Steps:

• Mix together sugar,cream,corn syrup,butter and salt in a saucepan.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar has dissolved.
• Cook about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until a candy thermometer reaches 238 F (soft-ball stage).
• Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla and maple extract.
• Pour into a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until creamy.
• Stir in pecans.
• Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto greased waxed paper and let cool until hardened.
• Store in an airtight contained between sheets of waxed paper.
• NOTE: You may use either light or dark corn syrup- the difference will be a slight change in color.

CUBAN OPERA CAKE

Steps:

• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides; line bottoms with parchment paper rounds. Dust pans with flour; tap out excess. Melt chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water, stirring until melted and smooth. Remove from over water. Cool to lukewarm. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat sugar, butter, and vanilla in large bowl to blend. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition and stopping occasionally to scrape down sides of bowl. Gradually beat in lukewarm melted chocolate. Beat in dry ingredients in 3 additions alternately with sour cream in 2 additions, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Gradually beat in crème de cacao and coffee. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans; smooth tops.
• Bake cakes until toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto 9-inch cardboard rounds or removable tart pan bottoms; cool cakes completely on racks.
• For buttercream:
• Melt milk chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove from over water. Whisk sugar, egg yolks, 2 tablespoons water, and corn syrup in medium metal bowl to blend. Add 1/4 cup butter. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water; whisk constantly until mixture reaches 170°F, about 4 minutes. Remove bowl from over water. Using electric mixer, beat until completely cool and thick, about 6 minutes. Gradually beat in 1/2 cup butter, about 1 tablespoon at a time, fully incorporating each addition and stopping occasionally to scrape down sides of bowl. Beat in lukewarm melted chocolate.
• For coffee mousse:
• Bring half and half, 2 tablespoons sugar, and espresso powder to simmer in small saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk egg yolks and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk hot half and half mixture into yolk mixture. Return mixture to saucepan and stir constantly over medium heat until thermometer registers 160°F, about 2 minutes. Pour into large bowl. Add softened gelatin; stir until dissolved. Using electric mixer, beat until cool, about 10 minutes. Using clean dry beaters, beat cream and vanilla in medium bowl until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into coffee mixture.
• Cut each cake layer horizontally in half. Place 1 cake layer in bottom of 9-inch-diameter springform pan. Cover with 3/4 cup buttercream. Place second cake layer atop buttercream; cover with mousse. Top with third cake layer. Refrigerate 1 hour to allow mousse to set. Spread 3/4 cup buttercream over third cake layer. Top with fourth cake layer (cake will rise above rim of pan). Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
• For chocolate glaze:
• Stir sugar and 1 cup water in medium saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high; bring to boil. Whisk in cocoa; remove from heat. Add chocolate; whisk until smooth. Let stand until cool but still pourable, about 2 hours.
• Run knife around pan sides to loosen cake. Release pan sides. Scrape excess mousse from sides of cake. Transfer cake on springform pan bottom to rack set over baking sheet. Pour glaze over cake, allowing glaze to drip down edges onto baking sheet (use spatula to spread glaze over any uncovered spots). Refrigerate at least 2 hours to allow glaze to set. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.)

EASY OPERA FUDGE

Steps:

• Drain maraschino cherries on paper toweling.
• In saucepan, melt butter or margarine. Stir in dry pudding mixes and milk. Cook aand stir till mixture comes to boiling; boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
• Stir in vanilla; beat in powdered sugar till smooth. Stir in walnuts and cherries. Pour into buttered 10x6x2-inch baking dish. Garnish with walnut halves, if desired.
• Chill before cutting.

CUBAN OPERA CAKE

Steps:

• For cake: Preheat oven to 325°F Butter two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides; line bottoms with parchment paper rounds. Dust pans with flour; tap out excess. Melt chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water, stirring until melted and smooth. Remove from over water. Cool to lukewarm. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat sugar, butter, and vanilla in large bowl to blend. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition and stopping occasionally to scrape down sides of bowl. Gradually beat in lukewarm melted chocolate. Beat in dry ingredients in 3 additions alternately with sour cream in 2 additions, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Gradually beat in crème de cacao and coffee. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans; smooth tops.
• Bake cakes until toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto 9-inch cardboard rounds or removable tart pan bottoms; cool cakes completely on racks.
• For buttercream: Melt milk chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove from over water. Whisk sugar, egg yolks, 2 tablespoons water, and corn syrup in medium metal bowl to blend. Add 1/4 cup butter. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water; whisk constantly until mixture reaches 170°F, about 4 minutes. Remove bowl from over water. Using electric mixer, beat until completely cool and thick, about 6 minutes. Gradually beat in 1/2 cup butter, about 1 tablespoon at a time, fully incorporating each addition and stopping occasionally to scrape down sides of bowl. Beat in lukewarm melted chocolate.
• For coffee mousse:Bring half and half, 2 tablespoons sugar, and espresso powder to simmer in small saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk egg yolks and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk hot half and half mixture into yolk mixture. Return mixture to saucepan and stir constantly over medium heat until thermometer registers 160°F, about 2 minutes. Pour into large bowl. Add softened gelatin; stir until dissolved. Using electric mixer, beat until cool, about 10 minutes. Using clean dry beaters, beat cream and vanilla in medium bowl until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into coffee mixture.
• Cut each cake layer horizontally in half. Place 1 cake layer in bottom of 9-inch-diameter springform pan. Cover with 3/4 cup buttercream. Place second cake layer atop buttercream; cover with mousse. Top with third cake layer. Refrigerate 1 hour to allow mousse to set. Spread 3/4 cup buttercream over third cake layer. Top with fourth cake layer (cake will rise above rim of pan). Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
• For chocolate glaze: Stir sugar and 1 cup water in medium saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high; bring to boil. Whisk in cocoa; remove from heat. Add chocolate; whisk until smooth. Let stand until cool but still pourable, about 2 hours.
• Run knife around pan sides to loosen cake. Release pan sides. Scrape excess mousse from sides of cake. Transfer cake on springform pan bottom to rack set over baking sheet. Pour glaze over cake, allowing glaze to drip down edges onto baking sheet (use spatula to spread glaze over any uncovered spots). Refrigerate at least 2 hours to allow glaze to set. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.).

SERVIETTE/NAPKIN FOLDING, SYDNEY OPERA FAN IN WINE GLASS

Steps:

• Lay your serviette square out flat before you. Fold it in half horizontally.
• Take the serviette and fold it in half again vertically so that it is now a small square a quarter the size of the original square.
• Only one corner of the square will have 4 open / loose edges, rotate your square so that it is a flat diamond shape with the open corner pointing upwards. We will call this the North corner.
• Take the East corner and make an accordion fold all the way to the West corner.
• Holding it firmly, gently pull out each of the 4 loose edges at the North point, fanning them out from left to right.
• Roll up the south corner a little to help the fan to keep its shape and place in a water or wine glass.

OPERA FUDGE

Steps:

• Butter an 8 x 8 x 2-inch baking pan. Butter a large heavy saucepan. Place half-and-half and corn syrup in saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until syrup is warm stir in sugar and salt. Continue to stir until dissolved. Cover and cook for 1 minute. Remove lid and cook, without stirring, until temperature on candy thermometer is 240° to 242° F. or soft ball stage Remove from heat immediately and pour onto a marble slab or heatproof counter. Do not scrape saucepan as this could cause fudge to crystallize.Place butter and vanilla in center of hot mixture and cool for 15 minutes or until edges are cool and center is lukewarm. Use a wide spatula to stir and knead candy for 10 to 15 minutes or until it loses its gloss. Add nuts. Press fudge into pan. Cut into 1-inch squares.At high altitudes make temperature adjustments (see below).

OPERA PEANUT BUTTER CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare Sponge Cake: Preheat oven to 325°F Line 17 by 12 inch jelly roll pan with waxed paper.
• In very large bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups sugar, ground almonds and flour. Add 8 eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Add melted butter; mix briskly for 30 seconds.
• In medium bowl with electric mixer at high speed, beat egg whites with remaining 1/2 cup sugar until stiff peaks form. With rubber spatula, gently fold beaten whites into flour mixture in 3 or 4 additions, pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly with spatula. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until top of cake is golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack.
• Prepare the Peanut Butter Cream: In medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar and 7/8 cup water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook until syrup reaches 240 F., "soft ball" stage, on a candy thermometer.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl with mixer at medium speed, beat 10 egg yolks and whole egg. Add sugar syrup in a gradual stream; beat 5 minutes. Add butter; beat 5 minutes longer. Add peanut butter; beat until mixture is smooth. Set aside.
• Prepare Chocolate Ganache: In medium saucepan over medium heat, bring milk to a boil. Add chocolate chips; remove from heat and stir until melted and smooth. Stir in butter and chopped peanuts. Let cool.
• To Assemble Cake: Remove waxed paper from sponge cake; cut cake into three 12 by 5 1/2 inch pieces. Spread half the Peanut Butter Cream over one third, piling it high and smoothing with rubber spatula. Top with a second piece of sponge cake and spread with half of the Chocolate Ganache. Top with remaining third of sponge nut Butter Cream. Refrigerate cake until ready to serve; let cake stand at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.
• To Make Chocolate Sheet to fit top of cake, cut a rectangle of waxed paper the same size as top layer of cake; place on cookie sheet. Evenly brush a thick layer of the remaining ganache mixture over waxed paper; chill until firm. Just before serving, carefully remove chocolate-coated waxed paper from cookie sheet; invert on top of cake. Gently peel off waxed paper. Trim edges with small, sharp knife if necessary. Or, if desired, simply cover entire top of cake with chocolate curls. Makes about 24 servings.
• NOTE: To grind almonds, place in bowl of food processor and pulse on and off until nuts are pulverized and fluffy. Do not overprocess, as nuts will turn to a paste. I prefer a nut grinder.
• Woman's Day.

CANDIED CHERRY OPERA FUDGE

Steps:

• Line a 5-3/4x3x2-inch loaf pan with foil, extending foil over the edges of the pan. Butter the foil; set aside.
• Butter the sides of a heavy 2-quart saucepan. In the saucepan combine the sugar, milk, half-and-half, corn syrup and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a boil. Clip a candy thermometer to sides of pan.
• Continue boiling at a moderate, steady rate, stirring occasionally, until thermometer registers 236 degrees F, soft ball stage, (about 20 minutes). Adjust heat as necessary to maintain a steady boil.
• Remove saucepan from heat. Add butter and vanilla but do not stir. Cool, without stirring, to 170 degrees F (about 20 minutes). Remove thermometer from saucepan. Beat mixture vigorously with a wooden spoon for 5 minutes. Add 1/3 cup cherries. Beat mixture vigorously for 1 minute more. Pour into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Let stand until firm. Use foil to lift fudge from pan; remove foil. To serve, top with additional cherries. Cut fudge into thick slices. Makes 20 servings.
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CLASSIC OPERA CAKE

Steps:

• For Joconde Sponge
• Preheat oven to 400 F
• Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper. Spray with nonstick stick spray all oven the bottom and sides
• Sift together the confectioner's sugar, almond flour, and cake flour
• Slowly whisk in the eggs, one a time mixing well after each addition
• Whip the egg whites with the granulated sugar until medium peaks form
• Slowly fold in the egg whites into the flour mixture being careful not to deflate the whites
• Finally, fold in the melted butter
• Place the mixture on the prepared sheet pan and smooth it out evenly with a spatula
• Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden
• Remove from the oven and let it cool for 2-3 on the sheet pan. After that, carefully remove from pan and peel off the parchment paper. Cool on a rack completely
• For Coffee Syrup
• Boil the water and sugar in a pan, stirring well until the sugar completely dissolves. Remove from heat and add the coffee granules
• Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes and then strain into a clean bowl. Cool in the Fridge
• For Coffee Flavored French Buttercream
• Pour sugar and water in a saucepan. Place a candy thermometer on the side of the pan and cook on medium-high heat without stirring until the mixture reaches 240 F.
• While the sugar cooks, whip egg yolks the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk on high speed until pale and thick
• With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the syrup to the yolks until the mixture is completely incorporated
• Keep beating until the bottom of the bowl feels completely cool. About 5-7 minutes
• When the mixture and the bowl no longer feel warm, switch to the paddle attachment and slowly add the butter until incorporated
• Finally, add the coffee and mix
• If not using the buttercream right away, cover and place it in the fridge
• For Chocolate Ganache
• Heat the cream in the microwave until boiling hot
• Place the chocolate pieces in a bowl
• Pour the hot cream into the chocolate. Let it sit for 3 minutes
• Carefully whisk the mixture until completely incorporated
• For Opera Glaze
• Melt chocolate in the microwave. Heat it up for 30 seconds, mix, and repeat heating at shorter intervals, 15 to 20 seconds, stirring in between until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth
• Add oil and finish mixing
• Assembly
• Cut Joconde Sponge in 3 equal pieces
• My favorite French dessert. This scrumptious classic Opera Cake recipe step by step instructions
• Melt the 1/4 cup of semi-sweet chocolate and spread it all over the surface of one of the sponge layers. Freeze that layer for 3-4 minutes or until chocolate sets
• Remove from freezer and flip cake over so that the frozen chocolate is on the bottom
• Brush the cake with the coffee syrup
• Spread a layer of coffee buttercream on top and smooth it out using a spatula
• Place the second layer of cake on top and brush with coffee syrup
• Add the soft chocolate ganache and smooth it out with a spatula. Freeze for 5-6 minutes or until set
• Remove from freezer and add the final layer of cake on top. Brush with the remaining coffee syrup
• Spread the coffee buttercream all over the top of the cake. Freeze until solid, about 5-6 minutes
• Remove from freezer and pour the Opera Glaze on top. Refrigerate or freeze until set
• Save some melted chocolate and write the word Opera on top (optional)
• Dip a knife in boiling water for 20 seconds. Dry, and cut into the desired size
• Cake can be kept refrigerated up to a week or frozen up to 3 months
• Enjoy!
• Recipe Notes
• The coffee buttercream makes enough for 2 cakes. You may freeze the leftover cream up to 90 days
• Make the layers fairly uniform in order to achieve the same taste in every bite
• I recommend making the cakes, coffee syrup, and buttercream the day before and the ganache and glaze the same day you're assembling the cake.

OPERA

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients, except the peel, in a mixing glass and stir well. Strain into a cocktail glass. Twist the peel over the drink to release the oil and then drop the peel in.