Galette des Rois

In France the tradition of serving this frangipane-filled tart can be traced back to the 14th century. A small bean, coin or porcelain fève is baked inside the cake and whoever receives the little favor is then crowned king or queen for the day. Tradition also dictates that the cake be cut into as many slices as there are people present, plus one extra. The extra piece is called either la part du Bon Dieu (God’s piece), la part de la Vierge (the Virgin Mary’s piece) or la part du pauvre (poor man’s piece) and it is given to the first poor person who stops at the home. Who will become king or queen for the day at your house? Bake a galette and have a little fun with the family. Make a foil crown to place atop the cake before eating it. Et voilà: The galette is typically served on January 6, which is Epiphany, or the Feast of the Kings. INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1/4 cup sugar 3 eggs 1/2 cup finely ground, blanched almonds 2 rounds of puff pastry, 12-inch in diameter 1 dry bean PREPARATION: Preheat oven to 400° 1. Beat the butter and sugar until creamy. 2. Stir in two eggs, one at a time. Then add the almonds. 3. Line a greased springform pan with one of the pastry rounds. Fill with the almond mixture and place the bean in the mixture. 4. Beat the remaining egg and brush it over the edges of the pastry. Place the other pastry round on top and seal well. 5. Use a knife to make patterns in the pastry. Brush the rest of the beaten egg on the top. 6. Bake for 30 minutes. To serve: Decorate the cake with a golden paper or foil crown and serve warm. Whoever finds the bean wears the crown as “king for the day”.   Please visit our Amazon affiliate store for your shopping. Bonjour Paris has hand-selected some of our favorite travel gifts and gadgets for our readers… plus many Paris- and France-related books for children, travelers, scholars, and dreamers. zChocolat: “World’s Finest Chocolates by World-Champion Chocolatiers.” zChocolat’s selection is handmade by world-champion French chocolatiers following a 400-year-old tradition of passion and zealous adherence to purity. A single bite is an instant of pure seduction and sensory bliss one has never experienced before.