I Make This Simple and Elegant King Cake to Impress My Guests.
I love a light and impressive dessert. It should have few ingredients, require little to no effort, and have a big payoff in the end. Galette des rois works on all fronts. This dessert is often prepared for Three Kings Day in early January. There’s really no better time to make this dessert than whenever the hell you want it. Why should January have all the fun? Make this for your partner’s birthday, a dinner with friends, or an elaborate king cake for your upcoming Mardi Gras party. Thanks to the wonders of ready-made puff pastry, all the hard work is done. In about 40 minutes you can enjoy a stunning dessert.
What is a king galette?
Galette des rois, which means “king cake” in French, is a puff pastry filled with a simple almond frangipane paste. There’s an extra treat for Three Kings Day (bauble or beans), but I don’t think an unexpected choking hazard in my dessert would be very fun, so I’m leaving it out. The only thing you need to do is make the almond frangipane filling, which luckily isn’t difficult. Simply mix six room temperature ingredients in a bowl with a wooden spoon for 60 seconds. Here’s the recipe I use , and try not to substitute the almond extract if you can (because it makes all desserts better) .
How to make French king cake?
Once the frangipane is combined, unravel this gem of the frozen aisle: store-bought buttered puff pastry. Make sure it’s thawed according to the package instructions—if it’s frozen, you won’t get very far.
1. Trim the puff pastry.
You will need two sheets of puff pastry, cut into equal sized circles. You can use a guide, such as a 9-inch cake pan, placed on top and trace around it with a knife. Do this with both sheets of dough. (Technically, you could skip the trimming and make a rectangular cake. Neither of you are the boss.)
2. Lay out the filling.
Place one circle of dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the outer inch with egg wash. Try not to let it drip down the edge, otherwise these places will prevent the dough from puffing up. (The egg is cooked at a lower temperature than the dough, so the egg will set before the dough rises.) Fill the center with a very thin layer of jam (this is optional, but I like it this way). Then spread a thick layer of almond frangipane on top (one-third to one-half inch thick), but keep it within the perimeter of the egg wash.
3. Seal the top and bake.
Place the second sheet of dough on top and gently press the edges to meet the egg wash edge. Brush the entire surface of the dough with egg. Again, do not allow the egg mixture to run down the edges.
If you want a classic sunburst pattern on top, or any pattern at all, now is the time. Use the back of the paring knife (not the cutting edge) to indent along the lines. Bake in oven at 425°F for 25 minutes. Finally, sprinkle generously with powdered sugar.
Galette des rois is best served throughout the day, but you can cut leftovers into individual slices, wrap them well and freeze them. If you’re craving a sweet treat, just pop it in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Recipe for Galette de Roi
Ingredients:
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2 sheets store-bought puff pastry, thawed
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1 tablespoon raspberry jam
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Washing eggs
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Powdered sugar for decoration
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Use an inverted 9-inch baking pan to guide you as you cut a large circle from each sheet of puff pastry. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place one sheet of puff pastry in the center.
3. Brush one inch of outer edge of dough with egg. Spread the jam thinly in the center of the egg wash circle. Spread the frangipane over the jam in a thick layer.
4. Cover with the second circle of puff pastry, pressing the edges to adhere to the egg mixture. Apply a thin layer of egg wash over the entire surface (not the sides). Using the back of a knife, make a pattern on the surface, such as a cross or a star.
5. Bake immediately for 25 minutes or until the cake is puffed and the top is lightly browned. Cool completely on a cooling rack and dust with powdered sugar before serving.