Hi, everybody! Since today is Thanksgiving, I thought it would be fun to share a special bonus post: a recipe from THE OFFICIAL WESTEROS COOKBOOK by Cassandra Reeder, creator of The Geeky Chef blog. I’ve been a fan of Cassandra’s work since my early days of blogging, and I’ve shared her recipe for Miruvor here in the past. I’m super excited to share an all-new recipe from her latest cookbook with you today. Let’s get started!

Today I’m actually sharing TWO recipes: Rhaenyra’s Lemon Cakes and Arbor Gold Wine! By now, Games of Thrones lemon cakes are iconic enough that even those who haven’t read the books or seen the shows are familiar with them. Naturally, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try Cassandra’s version. I decided to make the Arbor Gold too, since it’s flavor profile (white wine, elderflower liqueur, and cider mixed with fall fruits) pairs perfectly with lemon cakes.

These recipes both turned out amazing! The lemon cakes have lots of natural lemon flavor and aren’t too sweet (like if you made lemonade into a cake), and the Arbor Gold is light and refreshing, the perfect complement to the cakes.

 A

Rhaenyra’s Lemon Cakes and Arbor Gold Wine from THE OFFICIAL WESTEROS COOKBOOK

“I want to fly with you on dragon back, see the great wonders across the Narrow Sea, and eat only cake.”

— Rhaenyra Targaryen

 

 

INGREDIENTS:

• FOR THE LEMON CAKES
  • For the Topping
    • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
    • 1/2 cup sugar
    • 2-3 Meyer lemons, sliced in 1/8-inch slices
  • For the Cake
    • 1/2 cup olive oil
    • 3 eggs, lightly beaten
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 tsp vanilla
    • 2 Tbsp lemon zest
    • 1/2 cup lemon juice
    • 2 cups flour
    • 3/4 tsp salt
    • 1/2 tsp baking powder
    • 1/2 tsp baking soda
    • 1/2 tsp tumeric
    • 1 cup whole milk
• FOR THE ARBOR GOLD
  • ½ cup white grapes, sliced in half
  • 1 pear, thinly sliced
  • 1 apple, thinly sliced
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 star anise
  • 1 bottle semi-dry white wine
  • 1 cup elderflower liqueur or cordial
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1 tablespoon orange blossom water, optional
    

 

Makes 16-18 mini lemon cakes and 42 oz arbor gold

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. 1. FOR THE LEMON CAKES. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Liberally grease 2 standard size muffin tins and set aside.
   2. For the topping, evenly distribute the melted butter for the topping among all depressions of the muffin tin, filling 12 holes in one tin and 4-6 holes in the other. Evenly divide the sugar in a similar fashion. Add 1 lemon slice to the bottom of each depression and set aside.
      
   3. For the cakes, whisk together the olive oil, eggs, and sugar in a large bowl. Whisk in the vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice until combined. Set aside.
      
   4. In a separate medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and turmeric. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the wet ingredients in 2 to 3 additions, stirring until just combined. The batter should be satiny and smooth but not thick or gluey. Do not overmix.
      
   5. Distribute the batter among the depressions of the muffin tins as evenly as possible, filling each depression approximately 3/4 full. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the cakes from the oven. Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
      
   6. Use a knife to gently loosen the edges of the cakes from the tins. Flip the cakes upside down onto a wire rack so that the lemon slice is on top. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
   7. FOR THE ARBOR GOLD. Add the grapes, pear slices, apple slices, cinnamon stick, and star anise to a large pitcher. Add the white wine, elderflower liqueur, apple cider, and orange blossom water. Stir to combine. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight. To serve, add some fruit slices to the glasses, and pour the infused wine over the top.
   8. Serve to hungry travelers to welcome them to the land of Westeros!
      

       A

      For more fictional food, check out my latest cookbook, A LITERARY PICNIC!