A must try: French Galette des Rois Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Which is the most famous galette in France? ›

The Galette des Rois has become a symbol of January, so does its bean. But by the way, why is it a bean inside? Because during the Saturnals, it was a dry bean that was hidden in the galette. With time, it has become something to collect each year.

Today is the day we get to eat Galette des Rois, or King's Cake. As a sweetener, parents (or the pastry shop) hides a small figurine sandwiched among the warm rum scented layers of frangipane (almond cream) and puff pastry.

The galette des rois is a cake traditionally shared at Epiphany, on 6 January. It celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men in Bethlehem. Composed of a puff pastry cake, with a small charm, the fève, hidden inside, it is usually filled with frangipane, a cream made from sweet almonds, butter, eggs and sugar.

Here in France, the holiday is celebrated nationwide – regardless of religion – with cake. The appropriately named Galette des Rois – or King Cake – consists of a round flaky pastry with a frangipane filling, made with sweet almonds, butter, sugar and eggs.

1. Crème brûlée. This custard based dessert is topped with a layer of crunchy caramel. The dessert is popular all over the world, but it originated in France, making it a must-try for anyone who's traveling through.

Tradition dictates that when serving galette des rois, the entire cake should be divided such that each guest receives a slice, plus an extra, symbolic slice for any unexpected visitor, or poor person, that should pass by.

The Galette des Rois is essentially frangipane encased within puff pastry and decorated by making cuts in the surface of the pastry. It's served in slices and can be eaten both hot and cold.

A big part of why galettes des rois are so popular is that everyone wishes to find la fève in their slice. So to keep the game fair, when serving a galette, tradition dictates that the youngest guest hide under the table and call out guests' names, who are then served their slices. No cheating allowed!

This also explains the name of the dessert that's eaten on this day, the galette des rois, which translates to “kings' cake”. It's similar to the king cake served in New Orleans in the U.S., a nod to the state's French influence; but in France it's not multi-colored, and it's only served on or around Epiphany.

Fun Facts. The French president is not allowed to play the “Galette des Rois” game. A giant 1.2m galette is prepared for the Elysée each year but the pastry chef is not allowed to bake a fève into it. This is because it's considered inappropriate for a king to be crowned in the presidential palace.

Should galette des rois be refrigerated? ›

Storage: Galette des Rois is best eaten the day it is baked. Cover leftovers loosely with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 2 days. Make ahead: The frangipane can be made up to 1 week ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container.

Galette des Rois is best served the day it is made (especially if you are trying to find the feve!), but you can store any leftover galette des rois at room temperature for up to 2 days. Recrisp it in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10 minutes.

Even if you do not celebrate Epiphany, this galette is a great treat to make for a special occasion (or any occasion). If you were to ask me what a galette des rois tastes like, my response would be something along the lines of: buttery puff pastry stuffed with the filling of a double baked almond croissant.

Tradition has it that the youngest person present sits under the table and shouts out the names of people to get certain slices as the cake is cut. Whoever finds the fève in their slice gets to wear a crown supplied with the cake from the bakers or supermarket where it was bought.

In France, lunch is typically the main meal of the day, and French people spend more time enjoying lunch than most people in other countries.

Mille Feuille

A traditional mille-feuille, translated to mean 'a thousand leaves', consists of three layers of puff pastry, alternating with two layers of pastry cream, and is dusted with powdered sugar on top.

The Crêpe Suzette

Henri raced to the kitchen and prepared a crêpe with orange sauce flambée. He named it Suzette in honor of the beautiful lady who accompanied the Prince. The rest is history … The Crêpe Suzette became the most celebrated French dessert.

For those who may not be familiar, Galette des Rois is a celebration that marks the Feast of the Epiphany and is typically celebrated in France on January 6th.