Traditional Galette des Rois Recipe

What is a Galette des Rois?

One of the joys of living in France is that the festive season doesn't end on Christmas Day. As soon as decorations come down on January 6th, bakeries roll out rows of golden galettes for Epiphany. Although these days we even see them before Christmas!

Despite the English name French Kings' Cake, this isn't really a cake. It's made from two layers of puff pastry, baked in a preheated oven, and filled with almond cream (often called frangipane). Hidden inside is a fève - originally a bean, now a porcelain figurine - used to crown the King or Queen of the day.

You'll spot different religious figures inside some of the best galettes in Paris at Epiphany, especially traditional nativity-inspired fèves.

Don't confuse them with galettes de sarrasin, which are French savoury buckwheat pancakes.

Is Galette des Rois the Same as Pithiviers?

It's very close but not identical. A Pithiviers also uses almond cream and puff pastry, but it's enjoyed all year round (also with savoury versions) and skips the fève and crown traditions.

Galette des rois, by contrast, belongs firmly to Epiphany - ritual included. Its name comes from the medieval town of Pithiviers, south-west of Paris (Centre Val de Loire region).

Galette des Rois Traditions (No Cheating Allowed)

Tradition for this French kings' cake is taken seriously here. The galette stays whole on the table. One person cuts it. To prevent cheating, the youngest person sits under the table and calls out each guest's name. Slices are served in that order - no exceptions.

This way, nobody can angle for the fève. When it turns up, the lucky winner wears the crown and becomes King or Queen for the day.

French bakers still take this ritual seriously - and so do families.

Where Can I Find Figurines or Fèves in France?

When making a homemade galette des rois, you can choose your own figurines ('fèves'). In France, fèves are usually beans, but in this case, they are collectible porcelain or ceramic figurines.

Some French bakeries sell them separately around Epiphany. Nowadays, they often sell them individually or by theme - from Venetian masks, baby Jesus to even famous French pastries. You can also find them in flea markets throughout France all year round. In the UK, I've found these lovely French lighthouses, for example.

If you can't find them in pastry shops, you can simply use a shiny coin or dried bean, just like people did before the arrival of fancy porcelain figurines or ornaments!

Easy Galette des Rois Recipe with Almond & Pistachio

This simple galette des rois recipe uses ready-made puff pastry to keep things stress-free while respecting tradition. (Buy 'pur beurre' in France, as it's better quality than ordinary puff.)

Before starting, bring out the puff pastry at the last minute if it's already rolled. Otherwise, if frozen let the pastry defrost at room temperature. Lightly flour your work surface, then roll gently with a rolling pin to neaten the edges if needed.

The filling is almond cream with pistachio for colour and flavour. Prefer the classic galette des rois recipe with almond paste only? Simply replace the pistachios with more ground almonds.

How to Assemble the Galette

• Line a baking tray with parchment paper
• Place the first pastry circle on top
• Spread the almond cream evenly, leaving a clean border
• Push the fève or figurine into the filling near the edge

• Lightly brush the border with water
• Place the second circle of dough on top
• Press firmly to seal and remove air pockets

• Brush the top of the galette with egg glaze made from egg yolk and a little whole egg if needed for shine
• Chill in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes to help fix the decor later
• Decorate before baking

The full step-by-step method remains in the printable recipe card below.

Decorating a Traditional Galette des Rois

Decoration happens after chilling. French bakers usually score sun-ray patterns, though criss-cross designs work just as well.

Use the blunt edge of a knife and keep the cuts shallow - just enough to guide the rise. Add a discreet steam hole so the galette bakes evenly in the preheated oven.

Decorating a galette des rois is up to your creativity (use the blunt end of knife).

Can You Freeze Galette des Rois?

Yes - before baking only.

Assemble, decorate, then freeze. Bake from frozen or after thawing in the refrigerator, adding extra time if needed. Never freeze once baked, as puff pastry loses its structure.

Otherwise make ahead of the Epiphany celebrations: freeze after decorating before it goes in the oven. Simply chill in the fridge then freeze covered. When ready to bake, either defrost or add another 15 minutes to the cooking time from frozen.

How to Serve

Serve warm (not hot) from the oven with traditional Cidre, sparkling apple juice or Champagne. If you're looking for more budget-friendly fizz, there's bubbly Crèmant de Bourgogne, Saumur, Vouvray or Alsace - incidentally, why not serve with a Kir Royal?

Just don't forget the small ceramic or porcelain fève or figurine (I love this cute deer!) and a paper crown - it's as important as the pastry! (Small figurines are not for children under 5 years).
A traditional galette des rois made with buttery puff pastry and almond cream, with an optional pistachio twist. Easy, festive, and perfect for Epiphany.

Looking for a main dish that will compliment this for dessert? Make this roast pork with apples. As it cooks in French cidre, you can serve Cider throughout the meal.