La galette des Rois, or king’s cake, is made every year to celebrate Epiphany. For those who don’t know, epiphany is a Christian holiday that celebrates the Magi visiting baby Jesus. January 6th is the official day of Epiphany, but in France, we usually celebrate it on the Sunday between the 2nd and the 8th.
This delicious treat is a flaky puff pastry with a sweet filling. The traditional filling is a simple almond cream, or frangipane, but this year I felt like a change. To the basic frangipane recipe I added melted chocolate and Grand Marnier (or orange extract for the kids).
Before serving, it’s customary to hide a small figurine in the galette. Whoever gets the piece with the figurine is king (or queen) for a day. In reality, the winner is anyone who gets to have a slice of this delicious dessert.
1. Info for Chocolate Orange King Cake (Galette des Rois)
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Calories: 329kcal
2. Ingredients for Chocolate Orange King Cake (Galette des Rois)
- 12 (5 x 5-inch) squares puff pastry dough (store-bought)
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1-1/3 cups almond flour, (125 grams)
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon Grand Marnier (see tips)
- 1/3 cup chocolate (I used milk chocolate), 2 ounces
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons marmalade
3. Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Using a handheld mixer, whisk the eggs with about 5 tablespoons of sugar until you get a pale, yellow foam. It will take about 5-6 minutes. The consistency must be very airy. Add the almond extract and Grand Marnier. Set aside.
- Cream the butter with the rest of sugar. Pour in the egg mixture. Add the almond flour. Mix until the batter is smooth. Add salt.
- Place a pot filled with hot water (at a gentle simmer), topped with a piece of cloth so the bowl does not move and place a stainless-steel bowl filled with chopped chocolate on top. When the chocolate is melted, add the orange zest. Add the chocolate to the almond cream. Stir well.
- Using a fork, beat the remaining egg yolks with 2 tablespoons of milk. Set aside.
- Using a 5-inch (127-millimeter) circle cutter, create 6 puff pastry disks and 6 other disks using a 3-7/8-inch (98-millimeter) circle cutter.
- Line 2 baking sheets with a silicone mat or a sheet of parchment paper. Place the smaller-sized puff pastry disks onto the baking sheets. Prick the dough with a fork. Spread about 2 tablespoons of chocolate almond cream in the center of each disk. Lightly brush the puff pastry around the mound of almond cream with egg wash. Place a second layer of puff pastry (using the 5-inch puff pastry disks) over the almond cream. Press with your thumb around the almond cream to ensure both puff pastry pieces are sealed well.
- Using the tip of a paring knife, create a flower design on the puff pastry dough and brush the top with more egg wash. Chill in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes prior to baking.
- Bake for 5 minutes at 375°F, then lower the temperature to 350°F and bake for another 20 minutes until the top is golden.
- In the meantime, dissolve the marmalade with 1 tablespoon of water (if you fancy more Grand Marnier flavor, add a drop). Warm the mixture in the microwave for 20 seconds (or over the stove).
- Open the oven. Using a silicone brush, glaze the galettes with the warm marmalade and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes to get a nice golden crust and glossy look.
- Let the galettes cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with a nice cup of hot tea.
- Bon appétit!
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