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Galette des Rois

Name: Galette des Rois
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: ½ cup almond meal; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter softened; ¾ pure vanilla extract; 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour; 17 oz. puff pastry thawed; 1 large egg beaten; 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar

The traditional purple and gold cake with a plastic baby hidden inside, known as the King Cake, is popular this time of year with Mardi Gras in February. It's more of a yeast cake that looks like a bundt cake. I’ve never been a big fan of them, and they remind me of fruit cake - not really wanted, but somehow always around. The Galette des rois, which translates to King Cake, is from northern France. It still has a plastic baby hidden inside, but features an almond cream and puff pastry. It is usually served on Epiphany, the day the Three Kings visited the baby Jesus. It’s a fairly simple cake to make, but richer than the King Cake associated with Mardi Gras.

Kitchen Items Needed

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Sheetpan

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Recipe

Almond Cream Filling

½ cup
almond meal
¼ cup
granulated sugar
1
large egg
3 Tbsp.
unsalted butter , softened
¾
pure vanilla extract
1 Tbsp.
all-purpose flour

Cake

17 oz.
puff pastry , thawed
1
large egg , beaten
2 Tbsp.
granulated sugar

Almond Cream Filing

Step 1

Combine almond meal, sugar, egg, softened butter, vanilla extract, and flour into a food processor.

Step 2

Blend to a smooth, creamy paste. You can make the paste a few days ahead. Be sure to place it in an airtight container and refrigerate.

Cake

Step 1

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 425° F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

Roll out 2 sheets of puff pastry and cut into 2 (11-inch) discs. Place one disc on the prepared baking sheet and the other in the refrigerator.. Spread an even layer of almond cream, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.

Step 3

If you wish to include a king prize, you can do so at this point. Simply nestle it in the almond cream.

Step 4

Brush some of the beaten egg over the pastry border.

Step 5

Place second puff pastry disc on top of filling, and crimp the edges with a fork to seal the cake.

Step 6

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).