• HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • WORK WITH ME
  • COURSE
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • WORK WITH ME
  • COURSE
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

Adventurous Slomad Travel

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Bucket List
  • Digital Nomad
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

Traditional French King Cake Recipe: Galette des Rois

Last Updated: October 20, 2021 · Recipes

Share
Pin
Tweet
Share
Share
0 Shares

Time for one of my favorite French desserts! As Epiphany usually rolls around this time of year I decided to do a little cultural sharing of this tasty and glorious tradition making a French “king cake” – galette des rois.

Epiphany is a Christian festival that honors the coming of the three kings to baby Jesus Christ (thanks Merriam-Webster) 😉 Since many French families are Catholic, they also celebrate Epiphany.  One of the traditions around this time is to make the delicious and fun galette des rois.

This traditional recipe is so easy and simple to do. The first time I helped make it was also my first time visiting France – Christmas 2012.

I will never forget those three weeks learning all about the French food culture thanks to Paul’s wonderful family! Since 2012 until this Christmas 2015, I’ve spent each year surrounded by amazing folks and French food.  This year we spent Christmas in Nepal (that’s one to remember!)

Anyways, that’s for another story time.  So to get right to it, here is what ingredients you will need in order to start making the traditional French king cake recipe.

Galette des Rois Recipe

  • 2 pie crusts
    • Either pre-made or homemade
  • 2 eggs
    • 1 for the frangipane mixture and 1 to brown the crust
  • 100-150 grams of almond powder
    • Or we always use crushed whole/halved almonds at home
  • 100 grams of sugar
    • We use white, but some people prefer using a mixture of white, brown, or powdered sugar
  • 50-100 grams of softened butter
    • Some like more, some less – it’s up to you!
  • 1-3 drops of almond extract (optional)
  • and last but not least, you need a fève!

In my experience, a fève (or bean) nowadays is a porcelain little figurine that is normally used to represent baby Jesus, but now families are beginning to substitute for other nativity figures or cartoon characters. One Christmas we also used the wise men and a cute little donkey. You place the fève somewhere inside the cake and let it cook.

Tradition would have it that whoever finds the figurine inside their slice of cake takes on the role of the “king” and must wear a golden crown (usually made out of paper or thin cardboard as seen in the picture below).

The first time I ate galette des rois I was lucky enough to find the figurine and be crowned king while we ate… Though I am pretty sure that it was all set up without me knowing just to give me a good first experience 🙂 (That’s how cute Paul’s parents are. Love ’em).

Directions for une galette des rois

  • Preheat oven to 425 °F or 210-220 °C
  • Place 1 pie crust in a pie tin / baking tray and make some tiny holes with a fork
  • Mix all the above ingredients in a big bowl
  • Spread the mixture all over the bottom of the 1st pie crust, and place the fève somewhere for some lucky person to find
    • Tip: place the fève on the edges to avoid hitting it while cutting and serving. Plus it makes it more difficult to find! People will be almost finished eating their slice thinking, “Oh, I guess my slice doesn’t have it” when.. surprise! 
  • Now you can cover the cake with the 2nd pie pastry.  Make sure to press down around the edges to close it!
  • Design the top of the cake however you like with a knife (optional)
  • Gently brush on the beaten egg (can dilute in some water)
  • Poke some holes in the top of the cake (otherwise the cake is at risk to swell and become dry).
  • Place in oven and set time for 25 minutes.  Sometimes it can take up to 40 minutes.  Remember to survey it often.
  • Let cool, and enjoy!

Hope your galette des rois was a delicious success! Don’t hesitate to share your photos, thoughts, and comments with me below! Especially if you were the lucky one to find the “baked in surprise” 😉

By: Bri · In: Recipes

you’ll also love

Paneer Pakoda Nepali Recipe
French Potato Pancake — “Crique” Recipe
French Candied Chestnuts Recipe

Join the List

Stay up to date with the latest adventures and travel guides.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Paneer Pakoda Nepali Recipe

Primary Sidebar

hello!

I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

About Me

Connect

join the list

Featured Posts

San Juan Chamula Church & Square with Chamula Locals in Chamula, Chiapas Mexico

How to Visit San Juan Chamula & Its Church of Syncretism & Sacrifice

Bay of Yelapa, Mexico with palm trees, colorful houses, and anchored boats

How to Vist Yelapa: Jalisco, Mexico’s Unspoiled Fishing Village

palm trees and palapas on akumal bay from tulum

How to Get From Tulum to Akumal Beach

QUICK LINKS

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • WORK WITH ME
  • COURSE

Search

Follow Our Adventures

@bucketlistbri

National Park Week has got me feelin’ a serious National Park Week has got me feelin’ a serious case of nostalgia for our 2-week Southwest USA road trip! 🏜

The NP’s we visited on this trip:

📍Arches National Park
📍Canyonlands National Park
📍Zion National Park
📍Bryce Canyon National Park
📍Grand Canyon National Park (North & South Rims)
📍Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

+ Valley of Fire State Park, Red Rock State Park, & Monument Valley Navajo Park!

Head to my blog bucketlistbri.com for the full 2-week itinerary plus detailed guides & itineraries to each NP!*

*except for BCotG

.
.
.

#nationalparkweek #utahrocks #zion #bryce #southwestusa #roadtripusa #desertvibes #archesnationalpark #moab #canyonlands #roadtripamerica #grandcanyonnationalpark
"From Santa Catarina Palopó" 💜 I saw her gigg "From Santa Catarina Palopó" 💜

I saw her giggling and chatting with a friend from across the street and, despite my shyness, waltzed over to ask if I could take her photo. 

She was simply radiating sitting there; an amateur portrait photographer's dream. Except I don't even own a portrait lens and this was only the second time ever in my life that I whisked up the courage to ask for something that feels so... intimate. 

But without hesitation, she gazed into my lens and pierced my heart. It was like being drawn to a joyous light that I just couldn't resist. So I dared to ask. 

As soon as she said yes, I hurriedly clicked a few shots; rushing so as to not waste her time. After showing her portraits to her, she gave me a big nod and said softly, "de Santa Catarina Palopó" with immense pride.

I think her sweet smile & kind eyes speak for themselves... ✨ 

You can read more about the indigenous Kaqchikel Maya and the colorfully painted town of Santa Catarina Palopó, Guatemala on my blog @bucketlistbri 💜
10 years together 💛😱 It’s not our annive 10 years together 💛😱 

It’s not our anniversary (it was technically last month, depending on who you ask) and we're not even celebrating Valentine's Day today, but...

I just wanted to remind the internet that I have a pretty badass partner (& not to mention the best cat dad) who puts up with both my silly madness and my need to live around the world in pursuit of adventure. 

If I have any advice for love and long-term relationships, it's this:

Keep choosing each other;
again, and again, and again,
over everything else, no matter what you go through. 

❤️❤️❤️

Can you guess which one of us first "friend-requested" the other all those years ago? 😉

#internationalcouple #ourlove #travelcouplegoals #10yearstogether #digitalnomadcouple #adventuretogether
On every adventure, I’ve thought of you. I am On every adventure, I’ve thought of you. 

I am the granddaughter of a guiding light, a woman so lovely and gentle and spiritual and strong that she attracted to her all walks of life. 

I was the butterfly enamored by her glow. The ship lost at sea that found safety at her shores. 

On every adventure, I’ll think of you. On every adventure, you’ll be with me. 

🦋 ✨
Add this hike to your Caribbean bucket list! ☀️ 

Guadeloupe is rich in breathtaking, diverse landscapes — La Pointe des Châteaux is no exception! Magnificent rocky pillars jut out of the ocean & create a magnificent view that’s best experienced at sunrise from atop Morne Pavillon, the hill marked by the large cross on its summit.

TIPS FOR VISITING:

🚗 Like everywhere in Gwada, you'll need a rental! Parking is free.
☀️ Sunrise and sunset are around 6am and 6pm
🥾 The hike itself only takes 15-20 minutes and is easy!
🦀 Watch for wildlife and other critters (this is a protected heritage site!)
🌊 Plenty of beaches are nearby, including a nude beach and a private beach with cool wave splashing action called "La Douche" (meaning shower 🚿) 

Read more about this epic spot + other must-see places in Guadeloupe on the blog @bucketlistbri 🌴

.
.
.
#guadeloupeislands #caribbeanisland #pointedeschateaux #wanderlusttravel #caribbeanlife #caribbeanvibes #gwada #hikingtheworld #islandphotography #travelaesthetic
I'M READY FOR YA, 2022 ✌️ HERE'S WHY: ✍️ I'M READY FOR YA, 2022 ✌️ HERE'S WHY:

✍️ 2022 is going to be the year I become a published author. 

💛  It's the year I celebrate 10 years of love & adventure with my best friend. 

💻  It's the year I register my LLC and level up my business. 

🌎  It's the year I hit my bucket list of "slow living in 10 countries" as a nomad and the year I travel and discover even more destinations. 

And some folks will think (do think), "overnight success." But the reality is (as my sweet friend @redwhiteadventures reminded me), it's been about putting one foot in front of the other -- just like on a hike up a mountain (or in this case, to the cliffsides overlooking the Caribbean and Atlantic!). 

2022 is going to be the view from the top!! (Sure, I may get there, and see another summit I want to climb. But I'm so ready for the challenge(s), the journey, & the adventure!) ⛰ 

What are you excited about in 2022?! 

📍Hell's Gate / Porte d'Enfer, Guadeloupe (click the link in my bio to read about this hike!)
Follow My Adventures

Footer

On the Blog

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Bucket List
  • Digital Nomad
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

Info

  • Work With Me
  • My Course
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

adventures await x

Copyright © 2022 · Bucketlist Bri | All Rights Reserved