Name: Recipe: Galette des Rois
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 8 -10 servings
Ingredients: 1 packet ready rolled puff pastry (320g); 80 g ground almonds; 80 g caster sugar; 80 g butter; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon almond extract; Jam – we used quince jam (as it was what was open); Almond flakes; 1 egg and a tablespoon of milk for an egg wash.

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Christmas is one of those occasions when the power of tradition is strong and of course the arguments as to what is right when it comes to Christmas traditions is never ending. Does Father Christmas wrap presents? Is Father Christmas called Father Christmas or Santa Claus? One of my personal favourites – the one that really gives everybody else the heebie jeebies – is having real candles on the Christmas tree. But at least we’re not like those poor, deluded souls on the Continent, who are sadly deprived of massive over-indulgence in dried fruit related foods; and in particular, no Christmas pudding means no excited searching for the little trinket.

However, the French – obviously having decided that this game is an essential part of Christmas, have their own take on the custom. This Sunday is Epiphany, which means that it’s the time for a Galette des Rois – a Kings’ cake. After having had a go at the Spanish Rosca de Reyes the other day, I thought that I should have a go at it’s French cousin, with which I was more au fait.

Fundamentally, it’s a simple thing: two layers of puff pastry sandwiching a layer of frangipane. I used a packet of puff pastry – if you can, make sure you get the all butter version, as it’s much better than the stuff made with margarine One of these days I should have a go at making my own, or is that all a bit to GBBO? Anyway, this is what I did:

5 from 8 votes

Galette des Rois - French Kings or Epiphany Cake

Recipe: Galette des Rois

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

45 mins

Recipe: Galette des Rois

Servings: 8 -10 servings

Calories: 352 kcal

Author: Helen Best-Shaw

Ingredients

1 packet ready rolled puff pastry 320g
80 g ground almonds
80 g caster sugar
80 g butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
Jam – we used quince jam as it was what was open
Almond flakes
1 egg and a tablespoon of milk for an egg wash.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 200C/390F/Gas Mark 6.
Unroll the pastry, and find a plate which you can use as a guide to cut two circles of pastry – not too big – I used a side plate.
Cream the butter and sugar together, add the almonds, 1 egg and almond extract and mix to a smooth paste.
Lay out one of your pastry circles on a sheet of greaseproof paper on a baking sheet, and spread the jam in a circle in the centre. Allow enough space around the edge to seal on the top layer.
Cover the jam with the frangipane, and sprinkle on the flaked almonds – they add a crunch.
If you have one, hide your trinket at this point. Cover with the second layer of pastry, using a little water to seal the edges.
Make sure the top layer is well crimped on, to stop any leakage. Using a knife, score a pattern on the top. Brush the top with the remaining egg, beaten with the milk. Place in the oven, and bake for about 30 minutes, until golden brown.

Nutrition Facts

Recipe: Galette des Rois

Amount Per Serving (8 servings)

Calories 352 Calories from Fat 225

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 25g 38%

Saturated Fat 8g 40%

Cholesterol 62mg 21%

Sodium 163mg 7%

Potassium 33mg 1%

Total Carbohydrates 26g 9%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 10g

Protein 5g 10%

Vitamin A 6.2%

Calcium 3.3%

Iron 7.5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Properly, this is served warm, with a paper crown on top. Whoever finds the trinket is then king or queen for the night. If you do have any pastry and filling left over, you can make mini galettes in a bun tin, or if it’s just pastry you’ve got to spare, how about some Prosciutto puff pastry twists.