Galette Des Rois French King Cake Recipes

TRADITIONAL FRENCH GALETTE DES ROIS RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Combine almond meal, sugar, egg, softened butter, vanilla extract, and flour in the bowl of a food processor .
• Blend to a smooth, creamy paste. Feel free to make this cream a few days in advance, then refrigerate in an airtight container.
• Gather the ingredients.
• Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 425 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Roll out 2 sheets of puff pastry and cut into 2 (11-inch) discs. Place one disc on the prepared baking sheet. Spread an even layer of almond cream, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
• If you wish to include a dried fava bean, you can do so at this point. Simply nestle it in the almond cream. Brush some of the beaten egg over the pastry border.
• Place second puff pastry disc on top of filling, and crimp edges with a fork to seal the cake.
• Using a sharp knife, score a decorative pattern into the top layer of pastry without cutting through to the almond filling. Brush galette with the remaining beaten egg (this will create a golden crust).
• Bake cake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and dust cake with confectioners' sugar.
• Return to oven and bake until the puff pastry becomes a deep golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes more. Allow cake to cool for 20 minutes before serving.

GALETTE DES ROIS-KING CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. With an electric beater, mix all the ingredients for the frangipane cream just until blended. On a slightly floured cold surface, cut 2 circles the size of dinner plates out of the puff pastry. Put one of them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush one inch around the edge of the circle with egg wash (beaten egg yolk). Spread half of the frangipane cream on the center and place the second circle on top matching the edges of the circles. Press all around the edges to glue them together. Press softly in the center to evenly spread the filling. If making 2 galettes use remaining cream and follow the same method for preparation.
• Decorate the galette with a fork, press edges together all around-no pricking. With the point of a knife, make any kind of design being careful not to go all the way through the puff pastry. Brush the surface with egg wash being careful no to get any on the sides.
• Bake the galette in the center of a preheated 450 degree oven for 15 minutes then 350 degrees for 30 minutes. For the last 5 minutes, sprinkle with powdered sugar and bake until golden brown. Serve warm with gold paper crown on top.
• For the tradition of Epiphany in the privacy of your kitchen cut the galette in as many parts as people in the party. In one of them, insert a little ceramic toy (big enough to prevent swallowing). In the old days, they used a dried fava bean, so to this day it is still called "la feve." Everyone picks 1 piece of galette the one who discovers the toy is made the king of the day and wears the crown. He picks a queen by putting the toy in her glass and everyone raises his or her glass and applauds. Same process in reverse if a lady finds the toy. Tradition says that the next party should be at the king's expense.

GALETTE DES ROIS (FRENCH KING CAKE) RECIPE

Steps:

• In a bowl, whisk the softened butter with sugar until smooth.
• Add 1 egg to the butter and sugar mixture; mix again until smooth.
• Add the almond meal, and mix once more until you have a cohesive filing. Add vanilla and/or rum if using and stir until fully incorporated. Store almond cream in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• Place 1 roll of puff pastry, cut into a circle, on a tray lined with either parchment paper or a silicone mat.
• Add almond cream to top of the puff pastry and spread into an even layer, starting from the center. If including a small porcelain figure, place somewhere toward the edge of the almond cream. Leave a border of at least 2 inches between the edge of the pastry cream and the edge of the pastry.
• Cover with the second sheet of puff pastry and cut away excess (a cake ring will help maintain a uniformly round shape). Once trimmed, there should be 1 inch between the almond cream and the edge of the puff pastry.
• Whisk the second egg in a small bowl. Using a brush, apply a thin coating of egg wash to the top of the pastry.
• Rest the pastry in the freezer for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 F.
• Remove pastry from freezer and apply a second layer of egg wash. Use the tip of a paring knife to decorate the top of the galette.
• Place baking sheet in the oven and bake the galette for 50 minutes.
• Allow the galette to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.