Nate Bakes a Melting Disc Dessert for Wicked

The Wicked melting dessert is made up of a pistachio cake, with candied orange peels, whole pistachios, a rich chocolate ganache, and then a chocolate disc on top, melted with that same velvety chocolate ganache. This recipe is very obviously inspired by the idea of melting the wicked witch from the show, as well as the distinctive green color of Elfaba.

Recipe:

Pistachio Sponge recipe:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup whole shelled pistachios, ground.

2 1/3 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup butter (1.5 sticks), room temperature

2 cups sugar

2 eggs + 2 egg whites

1/2 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 teaspoon orange extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

3 drops green food dye (optional)

1 cup milk (whole, if possible)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Cream butter and sugar together until totally combined and light and fluffy. Add in the eggs and incorporate into fully combined.

3. Add in sour cream and all extracts, mix until fully incorporated.

4. Add in dry ingredients (pistachios, flour, powder, soda, salt). Mix until fully combined.

5. Add in milk slowly, until fully incorporated.

6. Add to buttered/oiled 9x13 pan. Bake until golden brown and tooth pick inserted into middle of cake comes out clean, about 25-35 mins.

Chocolate disc/shard recipe:

Ingredients:

8 oz chocolate

Instructions:

1. melt chocolate in 20 second intervals in the microwave.

2. Once melted, spread thinly on parchment paper and freeze until solid again.

3. Before serving, break into shards big enough to cover the top of the cup.
   

Candied Orange Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1/2 cup orange peels, cut however you want.

Instructions:

1. Bring sugar and water over high heat until sugar dissolves.

2. Add in peels and cook for about 10 mins, until saturated with liquid.

Chocolate Ganache recipe:

Ingredients:

8 oz chocolate

1 cup heavy cream

Instructions:

1. Heat cream in microwave in 30 second intervals, until steaming hot.

2. Add chocolate to cream and let stand for 1 minute. Stir until chocolate is fully incorporated.

3. Make sure ganache is very hot before serving, microwave if needed.

Plating:

1. Cut a round out of the pistachio cake and place at the bottom of a glass cup/container.

2. Pour a little bit of ganache on top, then top with shelled pistachios, fresh orange, candied orange peels, and some dried flower petals if available (rose is nice).

3. Place disc/shard on top, and melt with ganache in front of guests! (Cool party trick!)

4. Enjoy!!