Galette Des Rois

This is one of my favorite cakes!

This post might be a little late since this cake is meant to celebrate Epiphany* but you can pin this recipe for later!

Ingredients:

1 box puff pastry (it should contain 2 square doughs and can be found in the frozen section of your grocery store near the philo dough)

1 egg beaten with a pinch of salt

1 3/4 cups frangipane (recipe below)

1 whole almond or fired bean or ceramic token

The Frangipane, which can be prepared several days ahead, should be removed from the refrigerator 1 hour before use. 

Instructions:

On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 of the pastries out into a 10 or 12 inch circle. (The frozen dough will be square, so just roll it out to extend it to the size you want and trim the edges to make it a circle)

Place the first dough on an ungreased cookie sheet and brush the rim with a 1 to 1 and 1/2 inch band of beaten egg.

Spread the frangipane over the pastry on the cookie sheet taking care not to touch the band of egg. Place the almond or bean or token on the frangipane close to the edge (this reduce the risk of cutting into it at serving time)

Roll out the second dough and cut it the same size and place it on top, pressing the edges firmly to seal. Refrigerate 1 hour.

Before baking, brush the whole surface with beaten egg and with a paring knife, mark firmly with a diamond or spiral design. Preheat over to 425 degrees and bake galette 10 minutes, then lower heat to 375 degrees and bake for another 35-40minutes, until golden brown.

Storage:

The galette can be frozen before baking. Freeze on a baking sheet, then wrap in plastic and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. To bake, thaw 2 hours on a baking sheet in the refrigerator, than brush with egg, decorate with a knife and bake as directed.

This galette is best served warm!

Frangipane

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup (1 stick) butter, softened

2/3 Cup sugar

1 Cup Blanched, ground almonds

1 Egg (whole)

1 Egg yolk

1 1/2 Tablespoons cornstarch

1 Tablespoon rum (optional)

pinch salt

Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the almond powder alternately with eggs. Continue beating until light, then beat in cornstarch, rum and salt.

Storage:

Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to one week. Can also be frozen for up to one month.

* Epiphany is a Christian festival held on January 6 in honor of the coming of the three kings to the infant Jesus Christ