This cake can be made in stages. The joconde will keep in the fridge for a day, the syrup will keep for up to a week. The buttercream can be stored for four days in the fridge or as long as a month in the freezer and the mousse can be stored for 4 days. I highly recommend that you read through this recipe a couple of times and break it down into pieces. Once you do that, it becomes quite manageable.

For joconde:

1. Divide the oven into thirds by positioning a rack in the upper third of the oven and the lower third of the oven.

2. Preheat the oven to 425◦F. (220◦C).

3. Line two jelly-roll pans (10×15 or similar sizes) with parchment paper and brush with melted butter. If you don't have the exact size, feel free to substitute something similar.

4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or using a handheld mixer), beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Add the granulated sugar and beat until the peaks are stiff and glossy. If you do not have another mixer bowl, gently scrape the meringue into another bowl and set aside.

5. If you only have one bowl, wash it after removing the egg whites or if you have a second bowl, use that one. Attach the paddle attachment to the stand mixer (or using a handheld mixer again) and beat the almonds, icing sugar and eggs on medium speed until light and voluminous, about 3 minutes.

6. Add the flour and beat on low speed until the flour is just combined (be very careful not to overmix here!!!).

7. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the meringue into the almond mixture and then fold in the melted butter. Divide the batter between the pans and spread it evenly to cover the entire surface of each pan.

8. Bake the cake layers until they are lightly browned and just springy to the touch. This could take anywhere from 5 to 9 minutes depending on your oven. Place one jelly-roll pan in the middle of the oven and the second jelly-roll pan in the bottom third of the oven.

9. Put the pans on a heatproof counter and run a sharp knife along the edges of the cake to loosen it from the pan. Cover each with a sheet of parchment or wax paper, turn the pans over, and unmold.

10. Carefully peel away the parchment, then turn the parchment over and use it to cover the cakes. Let the cakes cool to room temperature.

For honey syrup:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil and simmer for 25 minutes. Apply to the cake while slightly warm (can be reheated)

For honey buttercream:

1.Combine the sugar, water in a small saucepan and warm over medium heat just until the sugar dissolves.

2.Continue to cook, without stirring, until the syrup reaches 225◦F (107◦C) Once it reaches that temperature, remove the syrup from the heat and immediately pour it into egg mixture (see step 3).

3.While the syrup is heating, begin whisking the egg and egg yolk at high speed in the bowl of your mixer using the whisk attachment. Whisk them until they are pale and foamy.

4.When the sugar syrup reaches the correct temperature and you remove it from the heat, reduce the mixer speed to low speed and begin slowly (very slowly) pouring the syrup down the side of the bowl being very careful not to splatter the syrup into the path of the whisk attachment. Some of the syrup will spin onto the sides of the bowl but don’t worry about this and don’t try to stir it into the mixture as it will harden!

5.Raise the speed to medium-high and continue beating until the eggs are thick and satiny and the mixture is cool to the touch (about 5 minutes or so).

6.While the egg mixture is beating, place the softened butter in a bowl and mash it with a spatula until you have a soft creamy mass.

7.With the mixer on medium speed, begin adding in two-tablespoon chunks. When all the butter has been incorporated, raise the mixer speed to high and beat until the buttercream is thick and shiny.

8.At this point add in your flavouring and beat for an additional minute or so. If your buttercream turns to soup, try refrigerating it, or freezing a portion and beating again. You can probably fix your buttercream if you have the patience to keep at it.

9.Refrigerate the buttercream, stirring it often, until it’s set enough (firm enough) to spread when topped with a layer of cake (about 20 minutes). If storing the buttercream for use on another day, you might have to warm it up and beat it again to get it back to a spreadable consistency.

For white chocolate pistachio mousse:

1. In a small saucepan combine cream, pistachios, and caradamom. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and let infuse for at least 20 minutes (I let mine infuse overnight).
2. Press through a fine mesh strainer and extract cream.
3. Melt chocolate in a double boiler with 3 tablespoons of cream.
4. Whip 1 cup of pistachio infused cream until soft peaks form.
5. Gently fold a small amount of the whipped cream into the chocolate and then fold all of the chocolate into the remaining whipped cream.
6. If it is too thin (or if not using immediately), refrigerate.

For lemon glaze:

1. Combine until well-blended.

How to assemble:

(Note: The finished cake should be served slightly chilled. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 1 day).

Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.

Working with one sheet of cake at a time, cut and trim each sheet so that you have two pieces (from each cake so you’ll have four pieces in total): one 10-inch (25-cm) square and one 10×5-inch (25×12½-cm) rectangle.

Place one square of cake on the baking sheet and moisten it gently with the flavoured syrup.

Spread about three-quarters of the buttercream over this layer.

Top with the two rectangular pieces of cake, placing them side by side to form a square. Moisten these pieces with the flavoured syrup.

Spread the remaining buttercream on the cake and then top with the third square of joconde. Use the remaining syrup to wet the joconde and then refrigerate until very firm (at least half an hour).

Prepare the ganache/mousse (if you haven’t already) and then spread it on the top of the last layer of the joconde. Refrigerate for at least two to three hours to give the ganache/mousse the opportunity to firm up.

Make the glaze and spread it over the top of the chilled cake. Refrigerate the cake again to set the glaze.

Tags: opera cake