How to Make a Classic French Galette des Rois

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Learn how to create a delicious Galette des Rois, a classic French pastry perfect for celebrating Epiphany with rich almond cream and flaky pastry.

Introduction

The Galette des Rois is more than just a delightful French pastry; it’s a cherished tradition celebrated during the Epiphany on January 6th. Known as the Roscón de Reyes in other cultures, this dish symbolizes the visit of the Three Wise Men to baby Jesus. The galette features a flaky pastry filled with rich almond cream, often infused with orange and rum flavors. Inside, a hidden bean or figurine adds an element of surprise, designating the lucky person who finds it as the ‘king’ for the day. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to prepare this classic treat at home.

Ingredients Needed

To make your own Galette des Rois, gather these ingredients:

• 1 cup blanched almond flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons orange marmalade, divided
• 1 large egg and an additional egg yolk, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons dark rum (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
• A dried red bean (optional) for fève or prize
• 1 tablespoon water and 1 teaspoon whole milk for glazing

With these ingredients on hand, you’re ready to start baking!

Preparation Steps

Begin by preparing your baking trays:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat together the almond flour, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, butter pieces, one tablespoon of orange marmalade, whole egg, rum (if using), almond extract, and salt using an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined—this should take about 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Transfer this almond filling into a piping bag with a large tip and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. Roll out each sheet of puff pastry separately on a lightly floured surface until you achieve squares measuring approximately 11 x11 inches.
5. Cut out circles of about 9 inches in diameter from each sheet; place them on your prepared baking sheets. Cover both circles with additional parchment paper and chill again for another 30 minutes.

Assembling the Galette des Rois

Once chilled:

1. Take out one circle of puff pastry from the refrigerator. Warm the remaining tablespoon of orange marmalade in a microwave until slightly loosened (about 2–3 seconds) and spread it in the center of this circle while leaving about an inch around the edges.
2. Pipe your chilled almond filling over the marmalade in concentric circles until it’s used up—remember to leave that one-inch border!
3. If desired, hide your dried bean within the filling at this point.
4. Brush water around the edges of the pastry before placing your second circle over it.
5. Press down firmly along the edges to seal them well before brushing an egg wash made from whisking together yolk and milk over the top of your galette—this helps achieve that beautiful golden crust!
6. Chill again for about 20 minutes before decorating with knife cuts across its surface to allow steam to escape during baking.

Baking Instructions

Now it’s time to bake:

1. Place your galette in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until it’s beautifully golden brown on top.
2. Once baked, transfer it onto a cooling rack but serve warm after letting it cool slightly—around 30 minutes should do!
3. Enjoy this special treat with family or friends as part of your Epiphany celebrations!

Conclusion

The Galette des Rois not only tastes incredible but also brings people together in celebration—a true representation of French culinary tradition! With its flaky layers and delicious almond filling enriched by hints of orange zest and rum, every bite is sure to delight! Remember that finding that hidden fève can add even more fun during your celebrations! So gather everyone around for some deliciousness and perhaps even some friendly competition!

FAQs About Galette des Rois

What does Galette des Rois symbolize?
It symbolizes the visit of the Three Wise Men to baby Jesus during Epiphany.

Can I use different fillings?
Yes! While traditional fillings are almond cream based, feel free to experiment with chocolate or fruit jams too!

How do I store leftover galette?
You can keep leftovers wrapped in plastic wrap in your fridge for up to three days.

Photo by Jordane Mathieu on Unsplash