Lemon Cakes
In the “A Song of Ice and Fire” book series (later known on television as “Game of Thrones”), George R.R. Martin devotes a lot of ink to lemon cakes, a favorite of the Lady of Winterfell Sansa Stark. The cakes have since become a pop culture totem for fans of the series. This recipe is inspired by a version found in “A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Game of Thrones Companion Cookbook” by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel and Sariann Lehrer. You don’t need to be a fan of “Game of Thrones” to love these cookielike treats, which are dense in texture, bright in flavor and boast a tart-sweet lemon glaze. The cakes are easy to throw together for a potluck or to satisfy a teatime craving.
- Total:
- Serves: 32 persons
Ingredients
- 1 ⅔cups/226 grams all-purpose flour
- ¾cup/170 grams granulated sugar
- 6tablespoons/85 grams salted butter
- 2lemons
- 1large egg
- 2large egg yolks
- ⅓cup/41 grams confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
Step 1
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.Step 2
In a large bowl, combine the flour and granulated sugar. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or two knives to form crumbs with some pebbly bits, then zest the lemons directly into the bowl. In another small bowl, combine the egg and egg yolks. Squeeze 1 tablespoon juice from a lemon and mix into the eggs. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture, and gently stir until the dough comes together.Step 3
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and space 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets. Bake, 1 sheet at a time, until the tops look just set and dry, 12 to 13 minutes. Cool completely on the sheets.Step 4
Place the confectioners’ sugar in a small bowl. Squeeze 1 1/2 teaspoons juice from a lemon, and stir into the confectioners’ sugar until smooth and the consistency of icing. Add more lemon juice if needed. Drizzle over the cooled cookies. Let stand until set.