Opera Cream Recipe Easy Homemade Chocolate Delight

Opera creams are a nostalgic treat that many of us remember from childhood, especially if you hail from the Midwest or the United States. These delightful little candies boast a creamy, buttery center wrapped in a delicate chocolate coating, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and richness.

Making opera creams at home allows you to customize flavors, control the sweetness, and enjoy the freshest, most decadent candies possible. Whether you’re preparing them for a special occasion or simply indulging a sweet tooth, this opera cream recipe is easy to follow and guarantees delicious results every time.

In this post, I’ll guide you through the ingredients, equipment, and step-by-step instructions to make your own opera creams from scratch. Plus, I’ll share tips for getting the perfect creamy texture, variations to try, nutrition info, and serving suggestions.

Ready to make a classic candy that’s sure to impress? Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This opera cream recipe stands out because it combines simplicity with a nostalgic charm. The candy’s creamy interior melts in your mouth, while the chocolate exterior adds just the right amount of snap.

Making opera creams at home is not only fun but allows you to avoid preservatives and artificial ingredients found in store-bought versions.

The ingredients are straightforward and affordable, making this recipe accessible for any home cook or candy enthusiast. Plus, the process teaches a wonderful candy-making technique that you can apply to other homemade treats.

Whether you’re gifting these to loved ones or keeping them all to yourself, these opera creams are sure to be a hit.

Ingredients

• 2 cups powdered sugar (sifted for smoothness)
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
• 8 ounces semi-sweet or milk chocolate (for coating)
• 1 teaspoon vegetable shortening (optional, for smooth chocolate)

Equipment

• Mixing bowls (preferably heatproof)
• Medium saucepan
• Electric mixer (stand or handheld)
• Rubber spatula
• Wax or parchment paper
• Sharp knife for cutting candies
• Double boiler or microwave-safe bowl for melting chocolate
• Cooling rack or tray
• Fork or dipping tool (for coating chocolates)

Instructions

1. Prepare your workspace. Line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper to place the shaped opera creams once formed. Ensure your butter is softened and ready.
2. Combine sugar, corn syrup, milk, cream of tartar, and salt. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the powdered sugar, light corn syrup, whole milk, cream of tartar, and salt until smooth.
3. Heat the mixture. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly until the mixture reaches a gentle boil. Boil for 1-2 minutes, stirring often to prevent scorching.
4. Cool slightly, then add butter and vanilla. Remove from heat. Add the softened butter and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously to combine until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
5. Beat until fluffy. Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat on high speed for about 5 minutes or until the mixture is light, fluffy, and holds its shape.
6. Shape the opera creams. Drop spoonfuls of the buttery cream onto the prepared baking sheet or roll the mixture into small logs or rectangles. You can also shape them into bite-sized squares using your hands or a knife.
7. Chill the shaped centers. Place the shaped opera creams in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or until firm and set.
8. Melt the chocolate coating. Using a double boiler or microwave, melt the chocolate with the vegetable shortening (if using) until smooth and glossy. Stir often to avoid burning.
9. Coat the opera creams. Using a fork or dipping tool, dip each chilled opera cream into the melted chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let excess chocolate drip off before placing them back on the wax paper.
10. Let the chocolate set. Allow the coated opera creams to sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator until the chocolate hardens completely.
11. Serve or store. Once set, store the opera creams in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or share them immediately with friends and family!

Tips & Variations

For the smoothest opera creams, be sure to sift your powdered sugar before starting.

If you prefer a richer flavor, substitute the milk with heavy cream.

Experiment with different chocolate coatings like dark, milk, or white chocolate for variety.

To add a little twist, you can flavor the cream centers with a splash of mint, orange, or almond extract. Just be cautious with the quantity, as these flavors are potent and can overpower the candy’s classic taste.

If you want to avoid corn syrup, you can use light honey or golden syrup, but this may slightly alter the texture. For a vegan twist, check out similar creamy candy recipes on Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Recipe for Cozy Comfort Food to explore plant-based creamy delights.

Nutrition Facts

Note: Nutrition values are approximate and may vary based on ingredient brands and portion sizes.

Serving Suggestions

Opera creams make a delightful sweet treat on their own, but they also pair beautifully with coffee or tea during an afternoon break. Present them on a decorative platter for parties or holiday gatherings to impress guests with your homemade confectionery skills.

For a fun dessert platter, combine opera creams with other homemade candies or pastries, such as chocolate chip cookies or brownies. Interested in more delicious treats?

Check out our Coffee Cookies Recipe Vegan: Easy, Delicious, and Healthy or the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Vegan Ice Cream Recipes To Try for more sweets inspiration.

Conclusion

Making opera creams at home is a rewarding experience that brings a classic candy right to your kitchen. The combination of creamy, buttery centers and rich chocolate coating creates a truly irresistible treat that’s perfect for gifting or savoring yourself.

Despite their fancy name, opera creams are surprisingly simple to make with just a few key ingredients and basic kitchen tools.

With this recipe, you can customize the flavors, experiment with different chocolates, and even try your hand at other homemade candies. Don’t forget to store your opera creams properly to maintain their fresh taste and texture.

For more delicious and easy recipes, be sure to visit our collection of vegetarian and vegan options like the Afghan Vegetarian Pulao Recipe Easy and Delicious Guide or the Baby Spinach Salad Recipe Vegan: Fresh & Easy Ideas.

Happy candy making!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Opera Cream Recipe”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A creamy, smooth candy with a rich vanilla custard center coated in milk chocolate. Perfect for a homemade sweet treat or gift.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT20M”, “totalTime”: “PT35M”, “recipeYield”: “24 pieces”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 cup whole milk”, “1 cup granulated sugar”, “1/2 cup light corn syrup”, “4 tablespoons unsalted butter”, “1 teaspoon vanilla extract”, “2 cups powdered sugar”, “1/4 teaspoon salt”, “12 ounces milk chocolate, chopped”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Combine milk, granulated sugar, and corn syrup in a saucepan over medium heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir constantly until mixture reaches soft ball stage (234\u00b0F/112\u00b0C).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Remove from heat and stir in butter, vanilla, and salt.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Beat mixture until thick and creamy, then fold in powdered sugar.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour into a greased pan and let cool completely.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cut into small squares.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Melt milk chocolate until smooth.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Dip each square into melted chocolate and place on parchment paper.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Allow chocolate to set before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “120”, “proteinContent”: “1g”, “fatContent”: “6g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “15g”}}