Fluffy Golden Galettes Des Rois Recipe: A Royal French Treat

Galettes des rois craft ordinary moments into regal celebrations of sweet French tradition.

Delicate layers of golden pastry whisper stories of royal gatherings and festive winter traditions.

Flaky, buttery pastry embraces rich almond cream in a dance of culinary elegance.

Intricate patterns adorning its surface tell tales of cultural heritage and communal joy.

Each slice promises a journey through texture and taste, inviting friends and family to share a delightful experience.

Preparing this dessert connects you to generations of passionate French bakers who perfected this delectable art.

The magic lies in its simplicity and the warmth it brings to any gathering.

Why Galettes des Rois Feels Like Royalty

• Savor Rich Cultural Heritage: Dive into a traditional French pastry that celebrates Epiphany, connecting you with centuries-old culinary traditions and festive celebrations.
• Craft Delightful Texture Contrast: Experience the magical combination of crispy, flaky puff pastry and creamy, smooth almond frangipane filling that melts in your mouth with each bite.
• Master Simple Elegant Technique: Create a stunning dessert with minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, perfect for home bakers wanting to impress friends and family without complicated cooking skills.

What You’ll Need for This French Tradition

• Puff Pastry Sheets: Delicate, buttery base that creates flaky layers and provides structure for the galette.
• All-Purpose Flour: Light dusting helps prevent pastry from sticking during rolling.

• Almond Meal: Core ingredient that provides rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps bind the filling.
• Butter: Creates smooth, rich consistency and enhances flavor.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure to the filling.
• Orange Zest: Adds bright, citrusy note to complement almond flavor.
• Almond Extract: Intensifies the almond taste with concentrated flavor.
• Salt: Balances and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Egg Yolk: Creates golden, glossy surface when brushed on pastry.
• Milk: Helps egg yolk create a beautiful sheen on the galette.
• Fève (Charm): Traditional hidden surprise inside the pastry.

How to Bake Up a Regal Golden Crown

Step 1: Prepare Almond Cream Filling

• Almond meal
• Sugar
• Salt
• Orange zest

Add butter and blend until smooth. Gradually mix in eggs one at a time, then stir in almond extract. Refrigerate the filling for 15 minutes to 3 days.

Step 2: Roll Out Pastry Dough

Gently thaw puff pastry sheets. Roll out dough into 9 1/2 inch circles on a lightly floured surface. Chill the pastry circles for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 3: Assemble Galette

Place one pastry circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread almond cream in the center, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Hide a small charm (fève) inside the filling.

Step 4: Seal and Decorate

Brush pastry edges with water. Carefully place second pastry circle on top. Press edges to seal completely. Create decorative crimped edges around the galette.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Brush the top with a mixture of egg yolk and milk. Gently score a decorative pattern on the surface. Poke a small hole in the center to allow steam to escape.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes until the galette turns a beautiful golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Serving Tip: Traditionally served during Epiphany, this French pastry is a delightful treat for sharing with friends and family.

Tips for Flaky Layers and Hidden Surprises

• Chill Pastry Perfectly: Refrigerate puff pastry circles for at least 30 minutes to prevent shrinking and ensure a flaky, crisp texture during baking.
• Seal Edges Carefully: Press pastry edges firmly with a fork or fingertips to create a tight seal and prevent filling from leaking during baking.
• Add Flavor Boost: Experiment with orange zest or vanilla extract in the frangipane to enhance the traditional almond filling's aromatic profile.
• Hide the Fève Strategically: Place the traditional ceramic charm gently in the filling's center to avoid breaking or damaging the pastry during assembly.
• Achieve Golden Shine: Brush egg wash evenly and generously to create a beautiful, glossy golden-brown surface that looks professionally baked.

Storing Leftovers While Keeping the Crunch

• Storing Leftovers: Wrap the galette tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness. Refrigerate for up to 3 days, keeping the pastry's delicate texture intact.
• Freezing Option: Place the cooled galette in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks, preserving its delicious almond flavor and flaky crust.
• Reheating Method: Warm the galette in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes. This gentle heat restores the crisp pastry and brings the frangipane filling back to its original delightful warmth without drying out the dessert.

Drinks and Treats to Serve with This Pastry

• Savor Sweet Sauternes: Pair this classic French Galettes des Rois with a chilled glass of Sauternes dessert wine, whose honeyed apricot and almond notes beautifully complement the rich frangipane filling.
• Brew Bold Espresso: Enjoy a freshly pulled espresso alongside the galette, its intense coffee flavor cutting through the buttery pastry and providing a delightful contrast to the sweet almond cream.
• Match with Moscato d'Asti: Select a light, sparkling Moscato d'Asti, whose delicate peach and citrus hints will enhance the orange zest in the frangipane and create a harmonious dessert experience.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Top a warm slice with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream, letting the cold, creamy texture mingle with the flaky, warm pastry for an incredible sensory delight.

New Twists on an Old-World Favorite

• Chocolate Almond Fusion: Replace half the almond meal with cocoa powder for a rich, chocolatey frangipane filling that adds depth and complexity to the classic galette.
• Pistachio Mediterranean Blend: Swap almond meal for ground pistachios and add a touch of rosewater, creating a nutty, fragrant version that celebrates Middle Eastern flavor profiles.
• Spiced Autumn Warmth: Incorporate ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of cardamom into the frangipane filling, transforming the galette into a cozy, seasonal treat that evokes autumn's warmth.
• Citrus Berry Infusion: Mix dried cranberries or blueberries into the frangipane and replace orange zest with lemon zest, offering a bright, tangy counterpoint to the rich almond base.

Galettes Des Rois Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Galettes des Rois brings French royal tradition to your dessert table with delicate puff pastry layered around sweet almond cream. Delightful kings’ cake celebrates Epiphany with buttery, flaky perfection that invites you to savor each elegant slice.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 puff pastry sheets (450g; 225g each)
• 1 ½ cups (150g) almond meal
• 3 ½ ounces (100g) unsalted butter, cubed, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• ½ cup (100g) sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Zest of ½ orange (organic)
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract

Egg Wash:

• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon milk

Additional Item:

• 1 fève (or a whole almond, if you can’t find one)

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Instructions

1. Craft the frangipane filling by blending almond meal, granulated sugar, a pinch of salt, and freshly grated orange zest in a mixing bowl.
2. Incorporate softened unsalted butter into the dry mixture, thoroughly creaming until smooth and homogeneous.
3. Gently introduce eggs one at a time, ensuring complete integration after each addition, then fold in almond extract for enhanced flavor complexity.
4. Refrigerate the frangipane mixture for a minimum of 15 minutes or up to 3 days to allow flavors to meld and texture to stabilize.
5. Remove frozen puff pastry sheets, allowing gentle thawing at room temperature for even rolling.
6. On a lightly dusted surface, carefully roll pastry into precise 9 1/2 inches (24 centimeters) diameter circles, maintaining uniform thickness.
7. Return rolled pastry circles to refrigerator for 30 minutes to maintain structural integrity and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
8. Position one pastry circle onto parchment-lined baking sheet, strategically spreading frangipane filling across central region, maintaining a precise 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) border.
9. Discreetly nestle the traditional ceramic fève into the filling, ensuring even distribution.
10. Moisten pastry edges using water, then delicately overlay second pastry circle, meticulously sealing perimeter to prevent filling leakage.
11. Create decorative fluted edges using fingertips or pastry tool for elegant presentation.
12. Prepare egg wash by whisking egg yolk with milk, then generously brush across pastry surface for golden, glossy finish.
13. Artfully score intricate design on top layer, simultaneously puncturing central vent to facilitate steam release.
14. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake galette for approximately 30 minutes until achieving rich, amber-golden coloration.
15. Transfer to cooling rack, allowing pastry to rest and structural integrity to stabilize before serving.

Notes

• Master this delightful French pastry to impress guests with an authentic cultural dessert experience.
• Chill the frangipane filling beforehand to enhance flavor development and improve texture consistency.
• Hide a small ceramic charm (fève) inside the pastry, continuing the traditional New Year’s celebration game.
• Careful sealing prevents filling leakage and ensures a beautifully structured golden-brown galette.
• Create decorative scoring patterns on top for an elegant, professional bakery-style presentation.
• Allow complete cooling to help the pastry maintain its crisp layers and prevent soggy bottom.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 438
• Sugar: 14.5
• Sodium: 160
• Fat: 32.5
• Saturated Fat: 13.5
• Unsaturated Fat: 16.5
• Trans Fat: 0.5
• Carbohydrates: 32
• Fiber: 2.5
• Protein: 8.5
• Cholesterol: 108