Galette des Rois - Puff Pastry Cake with Almond Cream

This cake is easy to prepare, but it's got very fine ingredients, just like many French recipes. Honestly, the result was better than we ever expected, the pastry was flavoured and the frangipane was delicious. So, the galette des rois or 'the kings' pie' in translation, deserves its fame. It was like I was eating a vanilla cream pie, but better: a bit denser and more aromatic. 

The kids adored the idea of finding the surprise hidden in the cake. The one who finds it is proclaimed king/queen. Usually in France they hide inside the cake small china favors called 'feves', but you can use whole almonds, walnuts or beans.

Ingredients
Puff pastry
500 g
ready-made store-bought or see below the link to the the quick homemade recipe
Butter
100 g
softened, at room temperature
Almond flour
100 g
or grind some whole almonds
Sugar
100 g
Vanilla Extract
1 tsp
can be combined with almond extract or orange liqueur
Egg
2 pieces
Step by step
Step 1

Thaw the ready-made puff pastry or make it at home. I prepared it the evening before, following the extra-quick puff pastry recipe on my website.

Galette des Rois - Puff Pastry Cake with Almond Cream - Step 1
Step 2

In a bowl, combine the softened butter, sugar, almond flour, 1 egg and vanilla extract.

Galette des Rois - Puff Pastry Cake with Almond Cream - Step 2
Step 3

Beat well, then set aside, this will be the frangipane for the galette des rois.

Galette des Rois - Puff Pastry Cake with Almond Cream - Step 3
Step 4

With a rolling pin, roll out the homemade puff pastry into a big rectangular sheet, of about 60x28cm and 4-5mm thick.

If you are using ready-made pastry, you just need to slightly adjust the size.

Use a lid or a large plate, about 28-30cm in diameter, to cut the sheet into 2 rounds.

Galette des Rois - Puff Pastry Cake with Almond Cream - Step 4
Step 5

Put one round on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Spoon the almond mixture and spread over evenly with a spoon within 1cm from the edges.

Galette des Rois - Puff Pastry Cake with Almond Cream - Step 5
Step 6

Press a nut, an almond, a bean or a 'feve' down into the filling.

Galette des Rois - Puff Pastry Cake with Almond Cream - Step 6
Step 7

Cover with the other round of pastry, gently press the edges to seal.

Galette des Rois - Puff Pastry Cake with Almond Cream - Step 7
Step 8

Use a pen or the blunt side of a knife to make a fringe pattern in the margins.

Galette des Rois - Puff Pastry Cake with Almond Cream - Step 8
Step 9

Beat the other egg with a fork and brush the galette.

Refrigerate in the baking sheet for 30 minutes.

Galette des Rois - Puff Pastry Cake with Almond Cream - Step 9
Step 10

Remove from the fridge and brush again with eggwash.

Galette des Rois - Puff Pastry Cake with Almond Cream - Step 10
Step 11

Use the tip of the knife to trace some strips across the top of the pastry - usually 3 big horizontal lines crossed by several oblique lines.

Galette des Rois - Puff Pastry Cake with Almond Cream - Step 11
Step 12

Then, somewhere in the middle, make 3-4 holes to release the steam in the baking process.

Galette des Rois - Puff Pastry Cake with Almond Cream - Step 12
Step 13

Bake the cake in the preheated oven to 180 degrees C for 40-45 minutes, until nice golden brown.

Then let cool on the table.

Galette des Rois - Puff Pastry Cake with Almond Cream - Step 13
Step 14

I liked it best when it was warm or reheated the next day in theclassic  oven or the microwave.

The puff pastry goes so well with the frangipane and you will surely savour every bit.

Enjoy!

Galette des Rois - Puff Pastry Cake with Almond Cream - Step 14
Quantity: 1 kg (8-10 servings)
Prep time:
120 min
Difficulty: easy
Ready in: 60 min