4.81 from 21 votes

Blackberry Opera Torte (Diva Cake)

Blackberry Opera Torte (Diva Cake) | ZoeBakes photos by Zoë François

I set out to bake a traditional Opera Torte, but I ended up getting distracted and took off in an entirely different flavor direction. In the end I created this Blackberry Opera Torte (which I have named the Diva Cake) and I’m not sure I’ll ever go back.

This cake has become one of my signature moves on Instagram (cake, meringue, blow torch—need I say more?!). It has way more layers than a traditional opera torte, which is not a bad thing at all. Instead of coffee-soaked Joconde (almond sponge cake) and coffee buttercream, this one uses blackberry preserves to flavor the buttercream and then has a layer of fresh berries separating the cake from the spiky meringue.

In my book, Zoë Bakes Cakes, there are many buttercream flavors to choose from and you can create your own Diva flavors (just be sure to share with me on Instagram @zoebakes, so I can see what you’ve created). Those fresh berries turned out to be a brilliant layer of protection from the flamethrower I used to toast the meringue. Oh, that is no joke. I got ahold of one of Elon Musk’s Boring Company Flamethrowers and had a blast (see what I did there) torching the top of the cake. You can use a regular kitchen torch to get the job done too. You can watch me make the cake and wield a flamethrower in my instagram video.

Blackberry Opera Torte (Diva Cake) | ZoeBakes photos by Zoë François
Blackberry Opera Torte (Diva Cake) | ZoeBakes photos by Zoë François
Blackberry Opera Torte (Diva Cake) | ZoeBakes photos by Zoë François
Blackberry Opera Torte (Diva Cake) | ZoeBakes photos by Zoë François
Blackberry Opera Torte | ZoeBakes photos by Zoe Francois

Blackberry Opera Torte (Diva Cake)

This Blackberry Opera Torte, which I have dubbed Diva Cake, is super tall with lots of layers of almond sponge, blackberry buttercream, chocolate ganache and meringue. Find it in my cookbook, Zoe Bakes Cakes.
4.81 from 21 votes
Course: cake
Servings: 16

Ingredients

Joconde (almond sponge cake)

  • 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup 120g almond flour
  • 3 eggs at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (100g) superfine sugar, plus 2 Tbsp
  • 3 egg whites at room temperature
  • 1 pinch kosher salt

Blackberry buttercream

  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 8 egg yolks at room temperature
  • 2 cups (440g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup blackberry preserves

Chocolate Ganache

  • 8 oz (225g) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream

Meringue

  • 3/4 cup egg whites about 4 egg whites
  • 1 1/2 cups (300g) sugar
  • Pinch kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Garnish

  • 2 pints (240g) fresh blackberries

Instructions

  • Make the Joconde: Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C. Generously grease an 11 by 16-inch / 41 by 28cm jelly-roll pan, then line the bottom with greased parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and almond flour. Set aside.
  • In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the eggs and 1/2 cup / 100g sugar on high speed for about 8 minutes. The batter should be very light in color and texture. When you lift the whisk out of the mixture, the batter should form a ribbon that sits on the surface of the egg foam for several seconds. Turn the speed to medium and continue to whip for 1 minute more. Remove the bowl from the mixer and, using the whisk attachment or a rubber spatula, gently fold the almond mixture into the egg foam in three additions.
  • In a clean mixer bowl with a clean whisk attachment, whip the egg whites and salt on medium speed just until they start to foam. Slowly sprinkle in the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar to create a French meringue, then whip on high speed until glossy, stiff peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the bowl from the mixer and, using the whisk attachment or a rubber spatula, gently fold the meringue into the almond batter.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with an offset spatula. Bake until the cake is set and just golden on top, 12-15 minutes. Let the cake cool completely in the pan.
  • Make the buttercream: In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the sugar and egg yolks and beat on medium speed to mix. The mixture will be very thick and grainy.
  • Put 1 inch / 2.5 cm of water in the bottom of a double boiler or a medium saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Place the bowl with the yolk mixture over the simmering water and stir the mixture with a rubber spatula until the sugar is completely melted. Brush down the sides of the bowl with the spatula to make sure all the sugar is melted. Feel the mixture between your fingers to check for graininess. Once all the sugar has melted and the mixture is smooth, the syrup is hot enough (140°F / 60°C) to be safe to consume.
  • Return the bowl to the stand mixer fitted with a clean whisk attachment and beat on medium-high speed until the egg foam is light, fluffy, and glossy and the bowl feels just about room temperature. (If the egg foam isn't cooled sufficiently, the butter will melt when you add it.)
  • Once the egg foam is whipped and cooled, turn the mixer to medium speed, add the butter, 2 tablespoons at a time, and beat until incorporated. Turn the speed to low, add the vanilla and salt, and mix until incorporated.
  • Combine the buttercream and blackberry preserves and stir until very smooth.
  • Make the ganache: In a medium saucepan over low heat, warm the cream until just simmering. Turn off the heat and add the chocolate. Swirl the pan to make sure all of the chocolate is submerged in the hot cream. Let sit for 3 minutes and then gently stir until smooth. Keep in pot until ready to use. You want the ganache to be a pourable consistency but not so warm that it will melt the buttercream.
  • Assemble the cake: Using an offset spatula, spread the buttercream evenly over the cake. Transfer to the refrigerator and let set until solid, about 20 minutes. Remove the cake from the refrigerator, pour the ganache over the chilled buttercream. Refrigerate again until all layers are solid, about 45 minutes.
  • Remove the cake from the refrigerator, run a knife all the way around the edges of the cake to loosen from the pan, cover with plastic wrap (this will protect the ganache when the cake is inverted), and invert the cake onto the back of a second baking sheet. Peel the parchment from the bottom of the cake and invert again onto a large cutting board.
  • Using a chef's knife, cut the cake in half on the long side and then in three equal sections from the short side, so you have six identical rectangles. Stack the six sections so you have a tall cake with many layers, making sure the layers are straight. Using a knife dipped in hot water, trim any uneven cake. (At this point, you can store in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 48 hours).
  • Make the meringue (prepare just before decorating and serving the cake): In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, bring 1 inch / 2.5cm of water to a simmer.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the egg whites, sugar, and salt; place over the simmering water; and stir with a rubber spatula until the mixture is hot and all of the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes.
  • Remove the bowl from the heat and place onto the stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, then beat on high speed until very thick and glossy and stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes. If the meringue is not stiff enough, your spikes will slouch and lose the drama. Add the vanilla and mix well.
  • Take a blob of the meringue topping between your fingers and press it against a blackberry. Pull the blob away, it will break off in a wispy curl. Repeat with the remaining meringue and blackberries. Using a kitchen blowtorch, toast the tops of the meringue.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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30 thoughts to “Blackberry Opera Torte (Diva Cake)”

  1. That looks delicious, Zoe.
    On the picture the layers look like, Joconde, ganache, buttercream . Am I seeing this wrong?

    1. Hi Jean, you can probably use all almond flour, but if you have a cup 4 cup gluten free flour mix, it will give it more strength and stability. With all almond meal it will be a little bit delicate.

    2. Hi Zoe and team,

      Excited to start on this cake!
      It seems like in the picture the layers go joconde, ganache, buttercream. However in the recipe it says to spread the buttercream on the cake and then top with ganache. Which way do you think is easier?

      1. Hi Victoria,

        The truth is I do it both ways with equal success, so it really doesn’t matter, as long as you chill the layers between additions, they set up to make it super easy to spread the next one.

        Thanks, Zoë

  2. Hi. This looks amazing but this part confuses me:
    Whip the eggs and sugar in a stand mixer on high speed until they are at the ribbon stage. Gently fold in the almond mixture.
    Whip the egg whites and sugar until stiff peaks. Gently fold them into the almond batter. Pour onto the prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula…

    Could you explain because as I’m reading it, I whip the eggs and sugar to ribbons then fold in the almond mixture…
    But then whip it to stiff peaks and fold into the batter. Are there two additions of egg whites and sugar for the cake?
    Thank you!

    1. Hi Jess, great question. For the Joconde there are both whole eggs (3, at room temp) as well as 3 egg whites. It also calls for 1/2 cup sugar, plus 2 Tbsp. You’ll see that in the recipe now it’s more clear when each of these are added! Please let me know if you have additional questions. I am happy to help!

    1. Hi Dee, that’s so surprising. Did you refrigerate after pouring the ganache over the buttercream? It definitely should have become solid in the fridge.

  3. I made this cake yesterday. It’s fantastic! It’s delicious and beautiful. All my dinner guests loved it. I would categorize myself as more of an advanced baker so found this to be a fun cake to make.

    1. Hi Anna! I have updated the recipe on the site to match the book. The book is correct. Happy baking!

    1. Hi Rebecca! Since this recipe calls for a cup of almond flour, it won’t be an easy swap out. Is it all nuts or just almonds? You can substitute another nut like pistachios or hazelnuts. Or you can make a thin genoise in the same pan instead of the jaconde. Make sure to grease the parchment if you do.

  4. 5 stars
    Made this yesterday and the taste was really good but it is very rich. I made the mistake of slicing individual pieces before adding the meringue (mainly to not have to cut in front of guests) but they started to topple over as the buttercream was reaching room temperature so make sure you don’t slice until ready to serve to guests and must easier to apply meringue on a wider rectangular cake. I also reversed the ganache and buttercream to match picture as the recipe calls for buttercream, then ganache which is different from picture. I felt that blackberries were more securely placed over buttercream anyway.

  5. I need help. My joconde was a disaster. It completely ripped into pieces and stuck. I cooled it for 30 min. Was it not long enough? I’m also at 5400’ elevation. I need help. Also my almond flour didn’t sift.

    1. Hi Michi, So sorry you had trouble with the joconde. If it’s sticking, Zoë suggests using more grease for the parchment next time. It also likely needs to cool longer as you suggested. If you’re having a hard time peeling it off of the parchment paper, freeze it first and then peel it off so it’s solid. Because it’s so thin it will defrost super fast, but that should help for next time. It will make it more stable and easier to handle.

  6. Hi there! So I adjusted the temp from 350 to 400. Since I’m in altitude, higher temps are better for creating structure. That was a success! What wasn’t so successful was my meringue. It was dry. I may have overbeaten it but the rest of the cake was great!!

  7. How long would the torched meringue wispies hold on top of the cake? Does it need to be done right before serving? Or could it be done and then refrigerated for a few hours before taking it out and serving?

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