Game of Thrones Lemon Cakes

21 May 2013
by Phuoc

Game-of-thrones-lemoncakes_Medieval

I don’t know what it is but I’m not much of a fan of fantasy. Anthony on the other hand is. I think I lack an imagination to find any interest in it; for me, there needs to be a scientific reasoning for everything! It’s been a mission and a half for him to get me to watch Lord of the Rings! I still haven’t watch any of the movies but I did promise him many years ago that if he proposes then I’ll watch it. When we are married, I’m still going to try delay it as much as I can because I can be stubborn like that… :p

One of his more successful missions though was to get me watching Game of Thrones. He had read the books before the tv series came out and I remember him being all giddy about this new “upcoming” tv show.

I can’t exactly remember how I stumbled upon this site but basically it’s a food blog called Inn at the Crossroads; where 2 Game of Thrones foodie fans recreate recipes from the novel series A Song of Ice and Fire. It was a while later that I discovered their hard work had paid off as they landed themselves a book deal to publish the Official Game of Thrones Cookbook; which is mighty impressive as a foreword is featured by the author of the books.

For Christmas last year, this was one of the presents I got Anthony. He likes food and Game of Thrones. What a better way to get him cooking combine two things he enjoys!?

The recipes in this cookbook features some of those found in all 7 kingdoms this story is set in, ranging from savoury to sweet and includes some beverages. Most recipes featured in the cookbook (as well as the blog) contain 2 versions; a modern and medieval version (to keep up with the medieval fantasy world that the series is set in). The medieval versions are adaptations from actual medieval recipes, and are often amusing to read.

One day, Anthony and I finally decided to make something from this cookbook. One of the recipes we’d seen being harped on and on by one of the girls on Twitter was lemon cakes. “What’s so goddamn good about these lemon cakes anyway?!” So we decided to see what all the fuss was about.

If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, you would have noticed that I’ve been slightly obsessed with these so-called lemon cakes. They aren’t actually cakes as such, more like cookies, well the medieval version at least. No joke, within a matter of moments of taking these babies out of the oven, Anthony and I had eaten about 6 each in one sitting! They were that good! Moreish, chewy cookies jam-packed with lemon goodness.

Addiction is then what drove me to make another batch of these lemon cakes the following day! Now here is where I let you in on a secret… You would think that the first time someone tries a new recipe that they stick to the recipe right? Well not me! Unless I’m way out of my league, I don’t really follow recipes to a tee… The second time I made these lemon cakes, I followed the recipe (seeing as I’d modified it). However, it produced a different lemon cake with a slightly different texture and the lemon flavour wasn’t that strong.

Perfectionist. That is who I am. I can’t help it… So I set forth to recreate these lemon cakes to match the first batch we had made and it worked like a treat. These lemon cakes are ridiculously easy to make and even more ridiculously easy to eat a lot without realising it.

Game-of-thrones-lemoncakes_Modern

Then of course, I had to make the modern version of these lemon cakes (for research sakes)… And this version actually lives up to its name as they resemble cake and not cookies. These bite-size, pound cake-like morsels do require a bit more effort than their medieval counterpart. A lemon cake is baked, cooled and cut into small cubes and then covered with a zesty lemon glaze (which reminds me of lemon sherbet).

Having made both versions, I’ll think when I have cravings for Game of Thrones lemon cakes that I’ll stick to making the medieval version. Only because it’s quicker to make and they yield something incredibly addictive due to the texture and flavour.

Having said that, just about when I thought there couldn’t be any more lemon cakes, I find this recipe. It’s a lemon cake recipe from the HBO guys. What’s intriguing about this lemon cake is that it seems like you make a batter, cook it in ramekin moulds in a water bath and the final product results in a spongy cake that melts and an intense lemon glaze on top. I guess I have to test this for another day…

Lemon cakes - Medieval version
Yields 36
Insanely addictive and chewy lemon cookies. The medieval way.
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Ingredients
  1. For the lemon cakes:
  2. 2 1/2 cups plain flour
  3. 2 cups caster sugar
  4. 85g unsalted butter, cubed
  5. Zest of 2 lemons
  6. 1 egg
  7. 2 egg yolks
  8. 1 tbsp lemon juice
  9. For the lemon glaze:
  10. 2 tbsp lemon juice
  11. 1/4 cup icing sugar, sifted
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 180C (350F) and line baking trays with baking paper. Combine the flour and sugar together in a large bowl. Rub the butter into the flour mixture until fine crumbs form.
  2. Add lemon zest to the flour mixture. In a small bowl, lightly whisk the egg and egg yolks together and pour into the flour mixture; along with the lemon juice. Knead the dough together until well combined. Shape the dough into 3cm (1inch) balls, placing them 5cm (2inch) apart on the baking tray. Bake for 13-15mins until golden. Allow to cool for 5mins on tray.
  3. Mix the lemon juice and icing sugar for the glaze. Dip the tops of the cookie into the lemon glaze to soak and place on rack to cool.
Notes
  1. If you want a more intense lemon flavour, dip the cookies into the lemon glaze a second time. Best eaten within 3-5 days.
Adapted from A Feast of Ice & Fire by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel & Sariann Lehrer
Adapted from A Feast of Ice & Fire by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel & Sariann Lehrer
Phuoc'n Delicious https://www.phuocndelicious.com/
Lemon cakes - Modern version
Yields 60
Bite-size morsels of lemon cake with a sweet zesty lemon glaze.
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Ingredients
  1. For the cake:
  2. 2 1/2 cups plain flour, sifted
  3. 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  4. 1/4 tsp baking soda
  5. 1/2 tsp salt
  6. 225g unsalted butter, room temperature
  7. 1 1/2 cups caster sugar
  8. 2 tsp vanilla extract
  9. 3 large eggs, room temperature
  10. 40mL of lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)
  11. Zest of 2 lemons
  12. 1 cup milk
  13. For the icing:
  14. 3 cups icing sugar, sifted
  15. 80mL of lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
  16. 1 tsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
  17. Yellow food colouring (optional)
  18. Garnishes such as candied orange peel, pomegranate seeds or decorative sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 180C (350F). Grease a 27.5x17.5cm (11x7inch) baking pan and line with baking paper.
  2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
  3. Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy; add the vanilla and then the eggs, one at a time until well-incorporated after each addition. Add lemon juice and zest and mix until just combined. Alternatively add the flour mixture and milk in 2 batches; don't overmix!
  4. Pour into pan and bake for 30-35mins, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan for 15mins, cut into 2.5cm (1inch) cubes and place onto wire rack (with newspaper underneath) to cool completely.
  5. Mix icing sugar with lemon juice, stir in the butter. Mix until the icing is a smooth, pouring consistency (add more lemon juice, if necessary). Tint icing with food colouring, if using.
  6. Drizzle about 1 teaspoon of icing over each cake, and decorate, if desired. Set lemon cakes aside to set before serving.
Notes
  1. Best eaten within 3 days.
Adapted from A Feast of Ice & Fire by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel & Sariann Lehrer
Adapted from A Feast of Ice & Fire by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel & Sariann Lehrer
Phuoc'n Delicious https://www.phuocndelicious.com/

30 Comments

  1. Tina @ bitemeshowme

    I’m a non fantasty person and just can’t get into any of this stuff. Though I’m super impressed there’s people so dedicated to something. Pretty neat idea to make a modern and medieval version of something. If I didn’t know, I’d just eat them anyway cos they look darn good!

  2. Ramen Raff

    Gotta try to make this lemon cakes! Will be perfect to have while catching up with Game Of Thrones season 3 episodes!

  3. Helen (Grab Your Fork)

    Those medieval lemon cakes were super awesome! Loved their chewy crust and the lemon glaze had such a zing.

  4. JJ - 84thand3rd

    Oh I adore lemon desserts of any description – both of these sound fabulous!

  5. Karen | Citrus and Candy

    Hands down there’s nothing better than movies, books and tv shows with swords and magic. Nothing. I remember wagging school because I’d stay up all night reading fantasy novels hehe. At least I wasn’t out getting pissed right? 😛

    These lemon cakes were freaking awesome! The more lemony the better 😀

  6. milkteaxx

    ive never been into fantasy either, and i havent read or watched lord of the rings although like you i promised someone i would.. maybe 10 odd years ago? haha. but i can tell you ill definitely be making these lemon cakes!

  7. Phuoc

    Tina: You’d be surprised what kind of blogs you can find these days. If there’s an interest in it, people will create it seeing as it’s so easy to have a blog these days. But yeah, you don’t need to be a Game of Thrones fan to enjoy these lemon cakes, they are so good!

    Ramen: Yes you have to! They’d be so good. Funny that you mention season 3, because lemon cakes actually do make an appearance in one of the episodes.

    Helen: I’m thinking of making up another batch soon 🙂 I’m hooked!

    JJ: I’m not too crazy with lemon desserts because some can be too tangy, but this perfect for me.

    Karen: HAHA you’re right, at least you didn’t wag school to go out (because that’s what I did in my younger days, whoops!)… Yeah I gotta give you the proper batch when I see you next, as I gave you the not-so-good 2nd batch of lemon cakes..

    Milkteaxx: Awesome! Hope you enjoy them 🙂

  8. Nessy Eater

    What a great way to use lemons in a recipe. I’ts always an issue for me when there is a pile of lemons sitting on my kitchen bench. I never know what to do with them besides lemonade. Now I’m going to try this recipe 😀 Thanks

  9. muppy

    evie loves lemon and i’m thinking these will be a perfect lunch box treat 🙂

  10. Nic@diningwithastud

    Im not a fantasy person either, although I do love GOT so need to make these. Of course, in the name of research, I shall do both also lol

  11. Phuoc

    Nessy Eater: There are plenty of great lemon recipes, what I like to do if I have spare oranges lying around, which you could also do with lemons (or even limes), is slice them up and boil them in a sugar syrup and blitz it up and bake it into this recipe. YUM! But these would definitely be easier to make also 🙂

    Muppy: Fantastic! I wish I had you as a mum to make these for me as lunch box treats 🙂

    Nic: Yes!! Bake (and eat) ALL the lemon cakes

  12. Sara @bellyrumbles

    Great recipes. Love lemon and I LOVE GAME OF THRONES! I will be giving the medieval ones a go.

  13. Phuoc

    Sara: You’ll love them!

  14. Sweet Revenge

    Combination of sweet and sour in lemon cake is a great concept for making delicious cakes…
    i will try both the recipes…
    Sweet revenge London

  15. Steve

    Impressive…

  16. Phuoc

    Sweet Revenge: Awesome, let me know how you go 🙂

    Steve: Thanks

  17. Elsa

    Reading about these lemoncakes in A song of ice and fire made me crave them. Finally found a great recipe! Had to stop myself from eating the dough alone. Love the outcome of a tangy yet sweet soft cookie.

  18. Vivian - vxdollface

    woohoo game of thrones 😀 haha will have to make these one day, they look great!

  19. Phuoc

    Elsa: Thank you, I’m glad that you enjoyed making them. They are insanely addictive hey?

    Vivian: Do try them! Once you make them, you won’t be able to stop.

  20. Kitchen Butterfly

    Like you, I don’t do fantasy. Fantasy food however, especially if delivered to me on a platter is fair game! I have considered making ButterBeer, from The Harry Potter movies….. and this lemon cake might see itself made. I love lemon!

  21. Whitewing

    Both versions of the cakes look yummy! 🙂

  22. crumblyandcrispy

    Unlike you I am a big Game of Throne fans (even though I never managed to watch or read it all, because it’s simply so LONG ) and I think it’s such a good idea to cook according to the series 🙂 But this would look gorgeous either way 🙂

  23. kayleigh moran

    im making these for my coursework

  24. Phuoc

    Kitchen Butterfly: Food, in any form, works for us I think 😛

    Whitewing: Cheers!

    Crumblyandcrispy: Oh, I do watch GoT, I’m just generally not interested in the fantasy genre (I blame my scientific mindset)

    Kayleign Moran: Awesome! I hope they turned out ok 🙂

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