This cake for L.'s Birthday started with grand plans which quickly turned into a series of shortcuts due to complete lack of energy to bake on a Friday night. It turned out to be one of the tastiest cakes I've ever made and L. simply loved it. So I figured I'm going to keep this shortcut recipe. I did end up using two frostings, which I think was worth it, since I couldn't have had the correct balance of chocolate and hazelnut flavors otherwise. I did end up winging most of the measurements though..
The cake had five main components: sponge, syrup, ganache, frosting and nuts.
The sponge was inspired by this original version (but I ended up changing the process a lot):
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/opera-cake-230481
The Nutella frosting was inspired by this:
http://cookiesandcups.com/whipped-nutella-frosting/
For the sponge, here's what I did. Preheated over at 425 and prepared two 9 inch round pans with butter, flour and parchment paper. In a stand mixer with whist attachment, I added 2 whole eggs + 2 egg whites and whipped until frothy. I added about 2 tablespoon regular sugar and whipped until pale. Melted 2 tbsp butter and cooled. I placed a strainer on top of the bowl (this really is important), to which I added 1 cup of almond flour, 3 tbsp regular AP flour, a dash of salt, 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar, and 3/4 teaspoon baking powder (I know there's no baking powder in a genoise, but hey, remember, I skipped the separate whisking of egg whites and cream of tarter business?) and strained the mixture on the eggs. Then gently folded it in. Added the cooled melted butter and folded that in as well. Divided the batter among the prepared pans and baked for about 10-12 minutes. Then the usual cooling on the wire rack, etc. You get relatively thin layers this way, but it's an almond cake, so I think it's just the right size. This sponge recipe is definitely a keeper.
Syrup: I'm completely making up these measurements: 1/2 cup water + 1/2 cup sugar. Boil till sugar dissolves. Add about 3-4 tbsp Disaronno. I could have added a bit more, but I was pouring it directly from a bottle, and didn't want to over do it.
Ganache: 1 slab ghirardeli semi sweet chocolate (I think it's 4 oz). About 1/2 cup (?) heavy cream. Microwave for 30 seconds to a minute until cream is heated through. Let it stand for a minute or so, and whisk the ganache until smooth. Keep it in the fridge for 15-20 mins until it thickens slightly. Sorry, I need to be more precise, but as I said, I was winging it.
Frosting: I used a slightly different version of Nutella (something I got it whole foods, but I don't think it was much different..it didn't have any hydrogenated oil). In the stand mixer with whisk attachment, about 2 tbsp of cool to room temperature butter, about 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar, about 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread. Whisk until everything is mixed nicely. Add about 2-3 tbsp of heavy cream (and more sugar if needed). I might have added a dash of vanilla. Or not. Whip it until you get a nice stiff consistency. This one's a keeper too, for quick cupcake frosting.
Nuts: With your hands, roughly break down thinly sliced almonds, so you get smaller pieces.
Assembly: This is slightly unusual. I didn't know what I was doing until it all came together. For each layer brush with half the syrup. spread chocolate ganache and keep it in the fridge. Leave some ganache for the sides. Once the ganache is slightly set, spread a thick layer of the chocolate hazelnut frosting on the base layer. Add the top layer (with the ganache side up). Ice the sides of the cake with the remaining ganache. Cover the sides of the cake with almond pieces. Also bring up the almond on the outer perimeter of the cake in a ring shape. Now with a star tip, create three concentric rings of the chocolate hazelnut frosting. This is not just decorative, but it also adds to the hazelnut flavor of the cake. There will be a small circle remaining in the center. Fill it with almond pieces again. This design not only looks pretty, but helps achieve the correct almond-chocolate-hazelnut balance. Or just do what your heart pleases.
The cake had five main components: sponge, syrup, ganache, frosting and nuts.
The sponge was inspired by this original version (but I ended up changing the process a lot):
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/opera-cake-230481
The Nutella frosting was inspired by this:
http://cookiesandcups.com/whipped-nutella-frosting/
For the sponge, here's what I did. Preheated over at 425 and prepared two 9 inch round pans with butter, flour and parchment paper. In a stand mixer with whist attachment, I added 2 whole eggs + 2 egg whites and whipped until frothy. I added about 2 tablespoon regular sugar and whipped until pale. Melted 2 tbsp butter and cooled. I placed a strainer on top of the bowl (this really is important), to which I added 1 cup of almond flour, 3 tbsp regular AP flour, a dash of salt, 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar, and 3/4 teaspoon baking powder (I know there's no baking powder in a genoise, but hey, remember, I skipped the separate whisking of egg whites and cream of tarter business?) and strained the mixture on the eggs. Then gently folded it in. Added the cooled melted butter and folded that in as well. Divided the batter among the prepared pans and baked for about 10-12 minutes. Then the usual cooling on the wire rack, etc. You get relatively thin layers this way, but it's an almond cake, so I think it's just the right size. This sponge recipe is definitely a keeper.
Syrup: I'm completely making up these measurements: 1/2 cup water + 1/2 cup sugar. Boil till sugar dissolves. Add about 3-4 tbsp Disaronno. I could have added a bit more, but I was pouring it directly from a bottle, and didn't want to over do it.
Ganache: 1 slab ghirardeli semi sweet chocolate (I think it's 4 oz). About 1/2 cup (?) heavy cream. Microwave for 30 seconds to a minute until cream is heated through. Let it stand for a minute or so, and whisk the ganache until smooth. Keep it in the fridge for 15-20 mins until it thickens slightly. Sorry, I need to be more precise, but as I said, I was winging it.
Frosting: I used a slightly different version of Nutella (something I got it whole foods, but I don't think it was much different..it didn't have any hydrogenated oil). In the stand mixer with whisk attachment, about 2 tbsp of cool to room temperature butter, about 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar, about 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread. Whisk until everything is mixed nicely. Add about 2-3 tbsp of heavy cream (and more sugar if needed). I might have added a dash of vanilla. Or not. Whip it until you get a nice stiff consistency. This one's a keeper too, for quick cupcake frosting.
Nuts: With your hands, roughly break down thinly sliced almonds, so you get smaller pieces.
Assembly: This is slightly unusual. I didn't know what I was doing until it all came together. For each layer brush with half the syrup. spread chocolate ganache and keep it in the fridge. Leave some ganache for the sides. Once the ganache is slightly set, spread a thick layer of the chocolate hazelnut frosting on the base layer. Add the top layer (with the ganache side up). Ice the sides of the cake with the remaining ganache. Cover the sides of the cake with almond pieces. Also bring up the almond on the outer perimeter of the cake in a ring shape. Now with a star tip, create three concentric rings of the chocolate hazelnut frosting. This is not just decorative, but it also adds to the hazelnut flavor of the cake. There will be a small circle remaining in the center. Fill it with almond pieces again. This design not only looks pretty, but helps achieve the correct almond-chocolate-hazelnut balance. Or just do what your heart pleases.
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