January 1st may be behind, but New Year’s celebration aren’t quite over yet. Not until January 6th. January 6th is known as “epiphany” – a very important day in French traditions. On this day the French eat ‘la galette des rois”. This cake is eaten to celebrate the Three King’s visit to baby Jesus. La Galette des Rois is a rich puff pastry cake, filled with an almond-paste filling, inside which, there is a little trinket hidden, called “la fève”. Whoever gets the slice of cake inside which the “fève” is hidden, is crowned ‘king’ or ‘queen’ and gets to wear a crown for the rest of the day. If a king has been crowned, he will choose a ‘queen’ among the party, and vice-versa. This is called “tirer les rois” – drawing the king.
As is tradition, when the cake is ready to be served, the youngest child in the party will hide under the table. The person serving the cake will ask the child “C’est pour qui cette part” – who is this slice for ? The child will then shout out who he/she wants this slice to go to “c’est pour grand-père”, “c’est pour grand-mère”, “c’est pour papa” etc.. until everyone has been served. Once everyone is ready to start eating, children will usually search for the “fève” in their slice of cake before they even start to eat it! The excitement and suspense of who will be king or queen is more fun than eating the cake ! This is followed by cheers for the one who found “la fève” and disappointment from those who didn’t!
Bakeries all over France sell ‘la galette des rois’. “La galette” is only sold at this time of year. It comes with a “fève” and a crown. During January, families and friends will invite each other over to enjoy “la galette”. It is not uncommon to eat several “galettes des rois” during the month, depending on how many invitations you get.
Want to try this tradition at home? Why not try baking a Galette des Rois of your own – this is a simple yet delicious recipe!
Preparation – 30 minutes
Cooking time – 40 minutes
Servings – 12 people
The Ingredients
1/2 cup butter softened at room temperature
1 egg
1/2 cup almond flour
2 puff pastry sheets
1/3 cup of sugar
The Recipe
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
1. In a mixer bowl, mix the butter and the egg together.
2. Add the sugar and the almond flour to the butter and egg mixture.
3. On a flat surface, unroll the pastry sheets.
4. Cover a large cookie sheet with a parchment paper, and place 1 sheet of puff pastry on the cookie sheet.
5. Spread the almond mix on the puff pastry sheet, making sure to leave a 1 inch edge all around the border.
6. Moisten the 1 inch edge of the pastry sheet using a pastry brush.
7. Place the second puff pastry sheet over the top of the almond filling, and press all around the edges to seal the two pastry sheets together.
8. Using a pastry brush, brush the egg yolk all over the top pastry sheet.
9. With a knife tip, draw diamond patterns on the dough.
10. Bake the galette for 40 minutes. Et voilà! Bon appétit!
The “galette” is best served warm. Enjoy with a glass of champagne!
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