Just thinking of "opera cake" inspires baroque whimsy in my creative mind. Perhaps it was my visit to the ornate Opéra Garnier. The opera cake — gâteau opéra — is made with layers of almond sponge cake soaked in coffee syrup, layered with ganache and coffee French buttercream, and covered in a chocolate glaze. Sweet and delicate, worthy of a heartfelt aria. Cue the diva!

Original watercolor, 5 x 7.75