Galette des Rois Tradition and Recipe

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and our traditional French Recipes, this time we’re sharing the famous Galette des Rois Tradition and Recipe. 

You may have heard of the “Galette des Rois“, the delicious pastry served each year for Epiphany when one lucky person gets the “fève“. But what exactly is it? You may know the classic almond-filled version or maybe even one of the many modern reinterpretations of the treat, or you may not know it at all!

But whichever it is, it remains a beloved ritual deeply rooted in French culture and this article explores its origins, cultural significance, as well as provides a detailed recipe for preparing an authentic galette at home!

Galette des Rois Tradition : The French Epiphany Cake Explained

A Brief History of the Galette des Rois

To understand the history of the Galette des Rois, we have to talk about religion. France is, after all, a Catholic country and, because of this, the French celebrate many Christian holidays, including the feast of Epiphany, which commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men to the infant Jesus on January 6.

Because of this, the galette is enjoyed on that day as well! However, even though the tradition was tied to a Christian holiday, it actually predates Christianity. Indeed, its origins go back all the way to ancient Rome, where the Saturnalia festival reversed social roles and included the election of a “mock king “, designated by a bean hidden in a cake. The person who found the prize became “king of the feast” and was allowed to give orders (in a playful manner) for the day.

As Christianity spread, the symbolic ritual of choosing a king was preserved and reinterpreted, and by the Middle Ages, French families were baking cakes with a hidden fève, a small figurine that replaced the bean. And all of this now happened on the 6th of January, the same day the Three Wise Men paid their visit to the infant Jesus!

That being said, although traditionally served on January 6, the galette is enjoyed throughout January in France, often during office gatherings, school celebrations, and family dinners. This extended tradition transforms the beginning of the year into a month-long festival of sweetness and community.

There are many variations of the galette depending on the region. In Paris and northern regions, it is typically made of flaky puff pastry filled with a rich almond cream, called frangipane. But if you go down to Provence and the south-east of France, the real star is the brioche des rois, a crown-shaped sweet bread flavoured with orange blossom and decorated with colourful candied fruits.

And in the west of France, some regions prefer a galette made of a type of shortbread or shortcrust, often flavoured with apples or butter. Despite these variations, they all share a common element: the hidden fève and the festive coronation that follows.

So what exactly does the fève mean? It used to mean that you would be king for a day and be allowed to give orders to everyone. Unfortunately for kids throughout France, that is not entirely true anymore. Today, the fève has become more of a collectible treasure. Indeed, they are miniature porcelain figurines representing everything from cartoon characters to historical figures, religious symbols, animals, or even luxury-themed series. And because of this, many people collect them year after year (or by buying more than one galette per year!), and some sets become sought-after items for enthusiasts.

Now, there is also a tradition when it comes to serving the galette, and it goes as follows: once the galette is cut, the youngest person at the table, often referred to as the “little king,” hides under the table and designates who receives each slice. This ensures randomness and fairness. Whoever finds the fève becomes the “king” or “queen” and wears the golden paper crown usually sold with the galette.

As an interesting anecdote: since 1975, French presidents have received a giant galette from the association of French bakers, and this galette contains no fève, as it is considered inappropriate for the President to become king ! 

Galette des Rois Traditional Recipe

Now onto the recipe, because while many choose to buy their galette from a bakery, making it at home is surprisingly accessible. The key is using high-quality puff pastry and preparing a flavourful frangipane.

Insider Tip: For a truly bakery-style finish, chill the assembled galette for 20–30 minutes before baking. This helps the puff pastry rise evenly and keeps the frangipane neatly contained, giving you a cleaner slice and a more professional look.

Here’s a Traditional Galette des Rois Recipe (serves 6-8 people)

Ingredients for Traditional Galette des Rois

For the galette:

• 2 round sheets of puff pastry (all-butter, preferably)
• 1 fève (porcelain or plastic)
• 1 crown (optional but traditional and fun!)

For the frangipane filling:

• 100 g almond powder
• 80 g sugar
• 80 g softened butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or a few drops of bitter almond
• Optional: 1 tablespoon of rum

For the glaze:

• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon milk or water

How to Make Galette des Rois (Step-by-Step Method)

Make the Frangipane

The first step is to make the frangipane, that delicious almond filling!  To do so, mix the softened butter and sugar until creamy and then simply add the almond powder, followed by the eggs one at a time. Stir in the vanilla or rum. The mixture should be smooth and fragrant. It’s best to refrigerate it for 15–20 minutes for easier handling when you’ll be spreading it on the pastry.

Assemble the Galette

Then all you need to do is assemble the galette. Place one puff pastry sheet on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Spread the frangipane in the centre, leaving a 2–3 cm border around the edges. Make sure you remember to insert the fève, if not, you’ll be faced with disappointment. It’s best to place it near the edge rather than the centre to reduce the risk of cutting through it. 

Glaze and Bake the Galette

Brush the border with water, then carefully place the second sheet of pastry on top and seal the edges by pressing gently, then crimp them with the back of a knife for decoration.

Then comes the fun part: creating the signature pattern on the pastry. It may look complicated but is actually very easy. Simply beat the egg yolk with a little milk and brush the surface of the galette lightly. Then, using the tip of a knife, draw curved lines or geometric patterns without piercing the dough. This step gives the galette its iconic golden appearance.

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the galette for 30 to 40 minutes, or until beautifully puffed and golden. Let it cool slightly before serving, as it will be much easier to cut this way!

Variations on the Galette des Rois traditional Recipe

Now, this is the traditional recipe, but modern pastry chefs frequently reinterpret the galette and different variations now exist, including chocolate, pistachio and cherry, hazelnut and salted caramel, pear and almond cream, or even citrus zest for a lighter and fragrant treat. Despite these innovations, purists maintain that the frangipane galette remains the true icon of Epiphany. What do you think ? 

Final Thoughts on the Galette des Rois Tradition and Recipe

So there you have it,  the history and recipe for the perfect Galette des Rois. Even though it’s delicious, it’s much more than just a dessert; it’s a culinary tradition that has survived centuries and is now a symbol of conviviality.

Whether homemade or bakery-purchased, whether filled with traditional frangipane or innovative flavours, it embodies centuries of French tradition, and every January, families and friends gather around the treat to enjoy a moment together, and maybe, just maybe, be king or queen for a day ! 

I hope you enjoyed this feature about the Galette des Rois Tradition and Recipe. We will be back soon with more French Food inspiration and don’t forget to subscribe to make sure you never miss a post,

 

Bon appétit!