Galette de Rois Recipe: How to Make French King Cake
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Jan 6, 2024 • 2 min read
Celebrate the new year by baking a galette de rois with buttery frangipane.
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What Is a Galette de Rois?
A galette de rois, or king cake, is a French tart made of puff pastry and frangipane, an almond cream filling. In January, accompanying the Feast of the Kings, Parisian bakeries prepare galettes de rois with a trinket or fève hidden inside the frangipane filling, similar to an American king cake. Bakeries sell the pastries along with a gold paper crown so that whoever finds the trinket in their slice can wear it as king or queen of the day.
Origins of the Galette de Rois
The galette de rois is a seasonal French dessert eaten during the Fête des Rois, or the Feast of the Kings. This celebration takes place on January sixth, the Epiphany, and honors the arrival of the magi to Bethlehem. A trinket, typically a small figurine, is hidden in frangipane enclosed in two layers of buttery puff pastry. Bakers can use a bean or an almond as the trinket. If your slice contains the trinket, you are the honorary king or queen for the day.
Galette des rois is traditional in the northern part of France. However, in the south, they serve King’s Crown Brioche, a crown-shaped brioche with a topping of candied fruit for the occasion.
Traditional Galette de Rois Recipe
makes
1 10-inch galetteprep time
15 mintotal time
50 mincook time
35 minIngredients
For the frangipane almond filling
For the assembly
- 1
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, stir together almond meal, sugar, salt, and orange zest until evenly mixed.
- 2
Add the butter and beat on medium speed until the butter is fully incorporated and lightly whipped.
- 3
With the mixer running, add the eggs one at a time, waiting until each one is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- 4
Add the almond extract and vanilla extract to the mixture.
- 5
Cover and refrigerate the frangipane until slightly firm, 15–30 minutes.
- 6
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit with a rack in the center position and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 7
On a lightly floured surface, roll each puff pastry sheet and trim as needed to create 10-inch circles.
- 8
Chill the puff pastry circles on the prepared baking sheet until firm, about 30 minutes.
- 9
Spread the frangipane in an even layer over one of the puff pastry rounds, leaving a 1-inch border.
- 10
Place the trinket somewhere in the filling.
- 11
Brush the exposed border with water and lay the second puff pastry sheet over the frangipane. Press the borders to create a firm seal. Using your fingers, crimp the edges of the galette, if desired.
- 12
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and milk. Brush all over the galette.
- 13
Using a paring knife, lightly score a design into the top of the galette, taking care not to cut through the dough. Poke a small venting hole in the center of the galette.
- 14
Transfer the galette to the oven on the center rack and bake until puff pastry is golden brown all over, puffy, and crisp, 30–35 minutes. You can serve galette des rois warm or at room temperature.
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