Friday 6 January 2012

Galette des rois





This is a popular French cake that celebrates the holiday of Epiphany (January 6th) the day



when the 3 Kings visited the Baby Jesus.



As part of French tradition, a bean or small
china feve (favor) is hidden in the cake.The 



person who finds the feve in his or her slice becomes king or queen for the day.



The person can also choose someone to be their king or queen and can lead the traditional 



dance.


Ingredients

Frangipane
100gr almond paste
100gr white sugar
100gr unsalted butter, softened
2 eggs
20gr all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons crème patissiere
2 piece puff pastry, thawed (from Careme, IGA)
1 dry kidney bean or feve or something in pocelaine
1 egg, beaten

For the frangipane:
  1. Place the butter into a bowl and turn it in cream. Add the sugar until smooth, then add in 1 egg by 1 egg, then flour and almond and the crème patissiere. Set aside in the fridge.
  2. Preheat the oven to 220c. Butter a baking sheet or line with parchment paper, and set aside.
  3. Roll out one sheet of the puff pastry into an 11 inch square, round or any shape you like. Keep the pastry cool, do not knead or stretch. Use a large pie plate, cake pan or frying pan to trace an 11 inch circle onto the dough using the tip of a small knife. Place the circle of pastry onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the second sheet of pastry. Refrigerate both sheets.
  4. Mound the almond filling onto the center of the pastry that is on the baking sheet. Leave about 1 1/2 inch margin at the edges. Press the bean or feve down into the filling. Place the second sheet of pastry on top, and press down the edges to seal. Beat the remaining egg with a fork, and lightly brush onto the top of the gallette. Use a knife to make a criss cross pattern in the egg wash, and then prick several small slits in the top to vent steam while baking.
  5. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top is a deep golden brown. in the preheated oven. Do not open the oven until the time is up, as the pastry will not fully puff. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
  6. Lay a golden paper crown gently on top of the cake. This will be used to crown the person who finds the bean or feve. Serve warm or cold. Make sure to tell everyone about the bean or feve.
BON APPETIT