How to make galette des rois, traditional Epiphany cake

January is the month of la galette in France. La galette des rois, or King’s Cake, is a flaky buttery pastry filled with almond paste. It is traditionally eaten at Epiphany on the 6th of January, but it’s also eaten throughout the month at social gatherings, schools, offices, New Year ceremonies, and so on. As today is Epiphany, I thought I’d share with you just how easy it is to make your own galette des rois.

Continue reading here for Phoebe’s recipe and photos on how to make an Epiphany cake or galette des rois in Provence.

©David Scott Allen

Recipe Variations for Epiphany Cake

Galette des Rois (King's Cake)

A delicious cake filled with almond cream. Try this recipe for your next dinner party!

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Galette des Rois (Epiphany cake)

Here is what Phoebe has to say: Making your own Galette des Rois is very simple, assuming you can get hold of ready-made puff pastry. In France, we’re spoilt with excellent quality puff pastry that comes ready-rolled with its own baking paper, available in every supermarket.  And even better than that, during the festive period, roughly December and January, kits of puff pastry with a crown and figurine are sold too!

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Galette Provençale - Christmas Cake

Shaped like a wreath and decorated with dried fruit, the galette Provençale is a seasonal favourite. This recipe takes a bit of time, but like all holiday baking, the result is delicious and well worth the wait.

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Phoebe Thomas

Phoebe Thomas carries two passports, British and Australian. She married a Frenchman, and now the couple lives in Provence with their two children. This bilingual and multicultural family has travelled extensively to Asia, Eastern Europe, and Australia before settling in Roquefort-les-Pins in 2007.