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How to make a Galette des Rois (King Cake)

To celebrate the Epiphany, I made this delicious Galette des Rois.  It’s a puff pastry dessert that’s easy to make and really impressive to serve.  You will find these pastries in the windows of French bakeries all throughout the month of January.

What you need to make a Galette des Rois:

Puff Pastry – My pâte feuilletée is perfect here.  You will need one portion or sheet.

Almond Cream – The filling is made of an almond creme, or frangipani.  This is a mixture of almond flour, all purpose flour, granulated sugar, butter, almond extract, salt, and eggs.

Trinket – Traditionally, a trinket is hidden inside the filling.  The lucky person who finds the trinket is “king” for the day.  I use an almond or pecan so it’s safe to eat.

Egg Wash – For a golden, glossy finish, the pastry is brushed with an egg wash before baking.  The egg wash also helps to accentuates the decorative lines that are scored onto the pastry.

 

How to make a Galette des Rois:

Begin with one portion of puff pastry, rolled out to about 12 x 16”.  Cut out two 8 inch rounds (I use a salad plate as a guide).  Place on a sheet tray and keep chilled.

To make the almond cream, mix the butter and sugar together in a stand mixer until it is light and fluffy.  Add in the remaining ingredients and mix only until it’s combined.

Transfer the almond cream into a pastry bag.  You can make this mixture three days in advance and store in the refrigerator.

To assemble the Galette des Rois, pipe an even layer of almond cream onto one of the puff pastry rounds, leaving a one inch boarder for an egg wash.  Don’t forget to place the trinket into the center of the almond cream (I used a pecan)!

Cover with the second piece of pastry and lightly press out any air bubbles.  Press the edges of pastry together to seal, then trim the edges with a fluted pastry cutter.  Brush an egg wash the top, then use a paring knife to score the design.  I love this swirling pinwheel design.

Chill the pastry for 30 minutes while the oven preheats to 350º F.  Bake the pastry for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden.

How to serve a Galette des Rois:

Allow the Gallet des Rois to cool before serving.  This pastry is delicious at room temperature or slightly warm.  Each person gets a slice and whoever finds the trinket is “king” for the day!