Galette des Rois
Two discs of puff pastry around a frangipane, scored in a sunburst and glazed to a mirror. There is a bean hidden inside and whoever finds it wears the crown.
Photograph credit: Galette des rois, made by French people in Tokyo by Syced · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Method
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Beat the butter and sugar for 3 minutes until pale, then beat in the eggs one at a time.
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Fold in the ground almonds, flour, rum, vanilla and salt until smooth. Refrigerate 30 minutes to firm up.
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Cut a 24 cm disc from each pastry sheet, using a plate as a guide and cutting with a sharp knife — a blunt edge crushes the layers shut.
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Lay one disc on a lined tray and spread the frangipane over it, leaving a clear 3 cm border. Push the bean in near the edge.
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Brush the border with water, lay the second disc over, and press the two together firmly all the way round without stretching the top.
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Scallop the edge by pressing with the back of a knife at 2 cm intervals, then chill 1 hour.
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Heat the oven to 200°C / 400°F. Brush the top with egg wash, taking care not to let any run down the sides, which would glue the layers shut.
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Score a sunburst or spiral from the centre outwards with the tip of a knife, cutting only halfway through, and prick 4 small steam holes.
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Bake 20 minutes, then drop to 180°C / 355°F and bake 20 minutes more, until deep golden and risen.
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Brush the hot galette with the sugar syrup and return it to the oven for 2 minutes to set to a mirror glaze.
Chef’s Tips
- Egg wash on the top only. On the cut edge it welds the layers and the galette will not rise.
- The chill before baking is what separates a risen galette from a flat one.
- Warn your guests about the bean before somebody breaks a tooth.
Pairing Suggestions
- A cup of strong coffee
- A glass of cidre bouché
- Crème fraîche
Storage & Reheating
Best on the day. Airtight for 2 days; refresh 8 minutes at 170°C to bring the pastry back.
Common questions
How long does Galette des Rois take to make?
About 1 hour 20 minutes of hands-on work — 40 minutes of preparation and 40 minutes of cooking — plus 1 hour 30 minutes of chilling, so allow 2 hours 50 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 8.
What are the key tips for making Galette des Rois?
Egg wash on the top only. On the cut edge it welds the layers and the galette will not rise. The chill before baking is what separates a risen galette from a flat one. Warn your guests about the bean before somebody breaks a tooth.
What should I serve with Galette des Rois?
A cup of strong coffee; A glass of cidre bouché; Crème fraîche.
Is Galette des Rois suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Galette des Rois?
About 476 kcal per serving, with 9 g protein, 38 g carbohydrate and 32 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
Reader Reviews
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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