Sansa’s Lemon Cakes

Inspired by Sansa’s favorite dessert in Game of Thrones, these Lemon Cakes are a delicious and zesty magic cake that separates into different textured layers as it bakes!

These Lemon Cakes Are So Delicious!

It’s hard to believe I originally published this recipe for Sansa’s Lemon Cakes 5 years ago this weekend and we were all sitting down to enjoy the season premiere of season 4 of Game of Thrones.

And now, the final season is just a week away and I don’t know about you guys… but I am both so excited and not at all ready for this beloved story to come to an end.

When I started imagining this recipe, I wanted something more than the biscuits in the Game of Thrones cookbook or a standard cake, I wanted something impressive.

I wanted something that was going to wow, something that was worthy of all Sansa’s talk in the books. I decided that a take on a Magic Cake would be perfect and I wanted to add some extra wow factors too!

So I decided candied lemons, powdered sugar, and whipped cream were necessary to really push this dessert out the moon door!

I Can’t Believe This Is The End!

I’ve been living in the Game of Thrones fan world for almost a decade, I read the books between 2010 and 2012 and since we will likely never get another one of them – ahem – it seems as though this magical (and quite bloody) story is coming to its end.

And with just six episodes in the final season, Game of Thrones has a lot of ground to cover in a short amount of time. And there are so many big things that need to happen:

• Tell Jon who he is.
• Rage against the Night King.
• Watch Nymeria and her pack tear up some wights (fingers crossed it will happen).
• Pray for a crazy appearance on Lady Stoneheart!
• Clegane Bowl!
• Brienne and Tormund – it needs to happen 😉
• Dracarys Cersei.

And so much more… seriously, so much – like how are they going to wrap all of this up?

Ingredients for Sansa’s Lemon Cakes

Large Eggs
Granulated Sugar
Cold Water
Unsalted Butter
All-Purpose Flour
Whole Milk
Vanilla Extract
Lemon Zest
Lemon Juice
Heavy Whipping Cream
Instant Lemon Pudding Mix
Powdered sugar
Candied Lemons

What Is A Magic Cake?

You’re probably wondering what a Magic Cake is, right? Well, it’s a cake that is one batter, but it separates into three different layers as it bakes.

The end result is a light sponge layer on top, a creamy custard layer in the middle, and a dense layer on the bottom. It sounds pretty amazing, right?

Add some lemon zest and juice and you’ve got this deliciously tart version! This cake simply just melts in your mouth!

I made this two weeks ago for our season 8 premiere party and WOW. My guests (and my mom who is hard to impress) were all blown away! I actually doubled the recipe, but otherwise followed it to the letter. I think making it the night before and allowing it to set in the refrigerator overnight definitely helped it to set and firm – the next day the cake was the perfect texture. AND your recipe for candied lemons really kicked the presentation up a notch! Thank you for such a fabulous recipe!

– Zenia

How To Make Lemon Magic Cake

It’s important to pull your eggs and milk out of the fridge an hour or two before baking so that they have time to come to room temperature.

1. Then, begin by preheating the oven and lining an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Cut slits across from each other on opposite sides of the parchment paper so it sits nicely in the pan.

2. Next, beat your eggs whites in a stand mixer or large bowl until stiff peaks form.

3. Transfer the egg whites to a separate bowl and then beat together the egg yolks, sugar, and water until pale yellow.

4. Add in the melted butter and vanilla and mix until combined.

5. Mix in the flour and then add the lemon zest and lemon juice and beat until fully combined. Then slowly add the milk while continuing to mix the batter.

6. Lastly, gently stir in the egg whites, but not completely. The final batter will be lumpy, this is okay – you want those lumps!

7. Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and bake. Once baked, allow to cool to room temperature and then loosely cover and chill in the fridge for 4 to 12 hours for best results.

Do not put the warm cake in the fridge or condensation can form and ruin the sponge layer of the cake.

Check out this complete guide to Making Magic Cake.

Who Will Win The Game Of Thrones?

Also, not to get too deep into theories because well, there’s likely not enough space on the internet for all that. 😉 But I have a strong feeling that Sansa will be one of the only ones left standing in the end.

And as annoying as she was in the early books and seasons, I’d say she about outdid herself with her revenge on Ramsay and Littlefinger, don’t you think?

Who do you think will sit upon the throne in the end – or will the throne even still exist?

Regardless of what comes in the next couple of months, make sure you enjoy each episode with Sansa’s Lemon Cakes in hand!

More Lemon Recipes

• Lemon Raspberry Cake Recipe – Filled with juicy raspberries and fresh lemon zest!
• Best Lemonade Recipe (Roasted Lemonade) – Made with roasted lemons!
• Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins – Tender muffins topped with a lemony glaze!
• Best Lemon Curd Recipe – Perfectly sweet yet tart!
• Lemon Tart (With Shortbread Crust) – A stunning yet easy-to-make dessert!

This post was originally published on April 6, 2014, and was updated on April 7, 2019, with slight recipe adjustments, written content, and photos.