Legendary Galette des Rois Recipe – Celebrate Epiphany with the Best French King Cake

Galette des Rois Recipe – French King Cake with Almond Cream

Yield: 6

Celebrate Epiphany with this authentic Galette des Rois, a crispy, golden French King Cake filled with rich almond cream (frangipane). This pastry is a traditional January treat, including a hidden fève (charm), and whoever finds it gets crowned king or queen! Learn how to make this delicious homemade puff pastry dessert with our step-by-step guide.

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Ingredients

For the Frangipane (almond filling)

• Almond cream
• Vanilla pastry cream
• ½ tsp bitter almond extract

For the glaze

• 5 cl (50 ml) plant-based milk
• 50 g cane sugar

For the syrup

• 10 cl (100 ml) water
• 100 g cane sugar

Instructions

1. Prepare the Puff Pastry

1. Follow the instructions in your reference for making puff pastry (or use store-bought puff pastry).

2. Prepare the Frangipane

1. Make almond cream following the referenced recipe.
2. Prepare vanilla pastry cream and let it cool.
3. Once the pastry cream is cold, whisk it and take 200 g.
4. Mix the almond cream and pastry cream, then stir in the bitter almond extract.
5. Refrigerate until needed.

3. Assemble the Galette

1. Roll out the chilled puff pastry into a rectangle 3 mm thick.
2. Using a 20 cm round cutter, cut out 2 pastry circles.
3. Refrigerate the pastry circles for 30 minutes to prevent deformation.
4. Using a piping bag, pipe the frangipane in a spiral shape onto one of the pastry discs, leaving a 1 cm border around the edge.
5. Place the fève (charm) off-center in the filling.
6. Brush the edges of the pastry with water to help seal the layers.
7. Place the second pastry circle on top, pressing the edges lightly to seal the galette.

4. Decoration and Baking

1. Mix the plant-based milk with a little sugar for the glaze.
2. Brush the top of the galette evenly with the mixture.
3. Using a sharp knife, lightly score the surface decoratively.
4. Make three small holes to allow steam to escape.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for 45 minutes until golden brown.

5. Final Glaze

1. While the galette is baking, heat the water and sugar in a small saucepan until dissolved.
2. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
3. Once the galette is out of the oven, brush it with the syrup to give it a glossy finish.
4. Let it cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Vanilla pastry cream

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 265Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 193mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 0gSugar: 40gProtein: 8g

The Timeless French Tradition Behind the Galette des Rois Recipe

The Galette des Rois recipe is more than a dessert—it’s a cultural ritual woven into France’s festive season. Every January, French households gather around this golden cake to celebrate Epiphany, marking the arrival of the Three Kings to Bethlehem. The ritual is joyous but straightforward: a flaky puff pastry filled with almond frangipane, baked until crisp and golden, and hiding a tiny charm called la fève. Whoever discovers it in their slice becomes king or queen for the day, crowned with a paper crown and honoured with choosing their royal partner.

The practice turns a cold January day into a moment of laughter, suspense, and shared indulgence—a reason to keep the festive spirit alive even after Christmas decorations are packed away.

The Ancient Roots of the Galette des Rois Recipe

Long before Christianity gave meaning to Epiphany, ancient Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a midwinter festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture. During this feast, roles were reversed, and a humble bean (faba) hidden in a cake would determine the “king” of the celebration.

As Christianity spread, the church adapted many of these customs, transforming Saturnalia’s symbolic cake into what we now know as the Galette des Rois recipe. By the Middle Ages, French bakers were making it part of the January festivities, embedding tiny porcelain charms instead of beans. These figurines have evolved over the centuries, ranging today from miniature saints to cartoon characters, little animals, and even collectable series.

Frangipane: The Soul of Every Galette des Rois Recipe

At the heart of every galette des rois recipe lies frangipane, the fragrant almond filling that gives the cake its distinctive character. The version used in modern French pastry blends almond cream with a touch of vanilla pastry cream and a few drops of bitter almond extract. This delicate balance between nutty richness and smooth sweetness is what makes the galette so irresistible.

Almonds have long been symbols of good fortune and fertility, and their inclusion here is no accident. The creamy texture and luxurious flavour of frangipane evoke abundance and renewal—perfect sentiments to start the year with.

How France Celebrates the Galette des Rois

Every region in France has its twist on the galette des rois recipe. In Paris and most of northern France, the puff pastry version with almond cream reigns supreme. In the south, you’ll find the brioche des rois—a golden, crown-shaped brioche decorated with candied fruits and pearls of sugar, symbolising the jewels of the Magi.

Even offices, schools, and bakeries join in the celebration. Throughout January, patisseries across France display glistening galettes in their windows, each one more beautiful than the last. According to the Confédération Nationale de la Boulangerie-Pâtisserie Française, over 30 million galettes are sold annually in France—proof that this tradition remains deeply loved.

At home, the youngest person traditionally sits under the table while someone cuts the cake, calling out who should get each slice to ensure fairness. The excitement builds as everyone eats carefully, hoping—or pretending not to hope—to find la fève.

Fun Facts About the Galette des Rois Recipe

• The French President’s galette at the Élysée Palace famously contains no fève, as protocol forbids crowning the head of state.
• In the south of France, the brioche des rois is often flavoured with orange blossom water, giving it a delicate floral aroma.
• Collecting fèves has become a hobby known as fabophilie—enthusiasts trade and display their tiny porcelain treasures from galettes past.

More French Classics to Explore

If you enjoyed reading about the galette des rois recipe, explore more French traditions and desserts:

• Vegan Foie Gras – a refined plant-based take on the French delicacy.
• Poires au Sirop – tender pears in a light, fragrant syrup.
• Vegan Crème Brûlée – silky, creamy, and topped with a perfect crackly caramel crust.

For more cultural insights, visit France.fr’s article on the Galette des Rois to learn how the French celebrate this royal dessert.