Galette des Rois or Cake of Kings
Who loves eating cake? Marie Antoinette is famously synonymous with cakes, sweets and enjoying her life. I think cakes and sweets allude to luxury and a good life and it is something that most of us can create and enjoy easily enough. Cakes are the traditional celebration food with many commemorative occasions and celebrations having their own style of cake.
Galette des Rois or Cake of Kings
The Galette des Rois is such a cake. This puff pastry almond cake is traditionally shared at Epiphany on the 6th of January each year. It celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men in Bethlehem when baby Jesus was presented to them and they gave him their precious gifts.
There is however a “season” of Galette des Rois in France, which begins on the Twelfth Night and ends on Shrove Tuesday.
The Cake of Kings is crown shaped and made of puff pastry layers filled with frangipani, a cream made from sweet almonds, butter, eggs and sugar. A small bean known as a fève, coin or porcelain charm is hidden inside and the one who finds the fève or figurine is crowned king for the day and chooses their queen.
The king must wear a crown for the day. Costume crowns and paper crowns are for sale everywhere in France during this festive season and add to the occasion.
Galette des Rois Traditions
Following tradition, the pastry or cake is cut into as many portions as there are guests, plus one. This extra piece is called the “part du pauvre” or poor man’s share. This is saved for the first poor person who stops by the house. I think this is a lovely idea and a great principle of charity to teach children at this time of celebration and plenty.
Tradition also dictates how the cake is served, the youngest child is asked to go under the table while an adult cuts the galette into the number of serves required. As each slice is placed on a plate, the youngest child calls out from under the table who gets which slice.
What Is A Fève?
In the 18th century, the fève was a porcelain figurine representing the nativity and characters from the crib however now there is a wider range of figurines used. Older fèves are now sought after and collected.
The options for purchasing cakes in France during the ‘season’ are numerous with many famous chefs even creating special flavours or decorations.
If we are in Australia at the beginning of January, I make my own cake, but if in France we buy one from our nearby boulangerie (cake shop) at Corlay (pictured above).
My little collection of vintage fèves (above) are always fun to bring out and use at this time of the year.
I think this dessert is too delicious to eat only once a year, in fact my mouth is watering right now, but I leave it to you whether tradition needs to be strictly adhered to or not.
If you love baking then read our delicious French recipes of French Frangipani Tarte, Tarte au Citron and Passionfruit Macarons – you’ll love them!
To all my cake bakers and Kings and Queens for the day… I hope you have enjoyed another snippet of French life.
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