Galettes des Rois

Galette des Rois: A Traditional French Epiphany Treat

The Galette des Rois, also known as the King’s Cake, is a traditional French pastry enjoyed during the Epiphany, which falls on January 6th. This delightful dessert is made with a buttery puff pastry and filled with a rich frangipane (almond cream). Hidden within the filling is a fève, a small trinket or a whole almond, and the person who finds it in their slice gets to be king or queen for the day! Whether you’re celebrating the holiday or simply want to indulge in a delicious pastry, this Galette des Rois is a perfect choice.

Ingredients

For the Frangipane Filling:

• 1 1/2 cup (150g) almond meal
• 1/2 cup (100g) sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Zest of 1/2 orange (organic)
• 3 1/2 ounces (100g) unsalted butter, cubed, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract

To Assemble:

• 2 puff pastry sheets (450g; 225g each)
• A fève (or a whole almond, if you can’t find one)
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon milk

Directions

1. Prepare the Frangipane Filling:

• In a medium bowl, combine the almond meal, sugar, salt, and orange zest.
• Add the cubed butter and cream all ingredients together until fully incorporated and smooth.
• Stir in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully mixed before adding the next.
• Add the almond extract and stir until everything is well combined.
• Cover the frangipane filling and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes. You can also prepare this up to 3 days in advance.

2. Assemble the Galette des Rois:

• Thaw the puff pastry sheets and roll each out into a 9 1/2-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Once rolled out, chill the pastry circles in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to ensure they remain firm.
• Place one pastry circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread the chilled frangipane filling evenly in the center of the pastry, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
• Insert the fève (or whole almond) into the filling, taking care to hide it well.
• Brush the exposed border of the pastry with water. Carefully place the second pastry circle over the top, aligning it with the bottom circle, and press the edges to seal.
• To create a decorative edge, flute the sides of the pastry. Brush the top with a mixture of egg yolk and milk to give it a golden finish.
• Score the top of the galette with a sharp knife in a pattern of your choice, being careful not to cut through the pastry. Poke a small hole in the center to allow steam to escape during baking.

3. Bake and Serve:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Bake the Galette des Rois for about 30 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before serving.

Serving Suggestion: Slice the galette into 8 pieces and serve warm or at room temperature. Don’t forget to see who finds the fève and gets to be crowned king or queen!

Recipe Summary

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Calories: 350 kcal per slice
• Servings: 8

This Galette des Rois is a festive treat that’s both fun to make and delicious to eat. Whether you’re following the traditional Epiphany customs or just looking for a delightful dessert to share with family and friends, this recipe is sure to bring a touch of French elegance to your table. Enjoy!