Epiphany: make your cake of kings with our recipe!
Every January 6th, we celebrate the Epiphany Day. But where does this tradition come from? What does it mean ? We tell you everything ... And we give you, as a bonus, its recipe for the galette des rois. Enjoy your meal !
Epiphany, what is it?
This word, of Greek origin, means apparition . January 6, the day it is celebrated, corresponds to the day when the three Magi, guided by a star, go to the stable in which Jesus was born. To celebrate his arrival, they offer him gold, myrrh and incense.
In some countries, such as Spain, this holiday is more important than Christmas because it is on this date that children receive their gifts . The party is also held in the streets of the country since many parades take place.
We have been celebrating the epiphany since when?
Since Roman antiquity : During the Saturnalia Feast, tradition dictated that a king be elected among the youngest soldiers. The person who was appointed could then enjoy the day to order whatever he liked.
This tradition evolved over the centuries to finally take place January 6, Epiphany day.
The tradition of the galette des rois
If the epiphany is a feast with religious connotation, the tradition of the cake of kings is completely pagan.
The galette des rois is a round cake made of puff pastry and consists of a stuffing , of which there are now many varieties: frangipane, almond cream, fruit compote, chocolate ).
According to tradition, a bean is placed in the cake . The person who falls on it is designated king or queen of the day and receives, as a bonus, a cardboard crown. To guarantee impartiality, it is customary for the youngest person to designate who each piece of cake returns to.
In some countries, the galette des rois is replaced by another dessert. In Denmark, for example, on January 6, boiled rice is tasted in which an almond is hidden.
The recipe of the galette des rois
Ingredients (for 6 people)
For puff pastry (which you can also buy ready in store):
250 gr. of flour
250 gr. of butter
120 gr. water
5 gr. salt
For frangipane:
75 gr. sugar
50 gr. of flour
25 cl. of milk
2 medium-sized eggs (+ 1 egg yolk to brown the dough)
150 gr. of almond powder
5 gr. of butter
1 teaspoon of rum
1 bean
Recipe
Mix flour, salt and water in a container. Knead until a dough is obtained.
Roll out the dough.
Add the butter to the center of the dough. Flatten the dough with a roll to spread the butter evenly.
Let stand 10 minutes.
Lengthen the dough 5 mm thick.
Cut two circles of dough of equal size.
Begin preparing the frangipane. Heat the milk, flour, sugar, eggs and butter. Mix and stop before boiling. Cool the mixture.
Add to the cooled mixture almond powder and rum. To mix everything.
Spread the frangipane on one of the pasta. Slide in the bean.
Cover with the second dough.
Light the oven th.6 (180 °).
Brush the dough, with a brush, with an egg yolk.
Bake the cake between 15 and 20 minutes.
Let cool and taste.
Ps: if you do not have the time or the desire to cook , all bakeries pastries in Luxembourg propose patties kings!