Epiphany is the day when the three kings came to visit the infant baby Jesus Christ. This occasion is celebrated to commemorate the revelation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. The Magi represents it, and the manifestation of his divinity occurred during his first baptism. The story is recounted in the Gospel of Matthew. The Wise Men followed a star to Bethlehem, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, to honour the newborn King of the Jews.
The Epiphany is observed in January in Europe in France and is celebrated by baking Galette des Rois, or the King Cake. It is traditionally consumed on January 6th, marking the feast of epiphany and is enjoyed throughout the month. The Galette des Rois is made of puff pastry and filled with frangipane, a sweet almond cream. Inside the cake, a miniature figurine or fève (originally a dried bean, thus the name) portraying the baby Jesus is hidden. If you find a fève in your slice, you get the crown and the right to be king or queen for the day.
The best part of making this is that it can be made in a few minutes without prior preparations and will invite people to celebrate the Epiphany together. Here is a simple recipe for epiphany so you can make it and devour its flavour to mark a flavorful start of the year.
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups (125g) almond flour
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon rum or almond liqueur (optional)
1 teaspoon almond extract
A pinch of salt
1 or 2 sheets of puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
1 fève or small figurine (traditionally a ceramic or porcelain figurine, but you can use a dried bean)
For The Filling
Step 1
Using either a mixer or manual mixing, blend the sugar and butter until they achieve a creamy, light consistency. Incorporate the almond flour and salt into the mixture. Add one whole egg, followed by the white from the second egg (set aside the yolk). Include the optional rum and extract. Cover the mixture and refrigerate it for a minimum of 1 hour.
Step 2
Combine the yolk with a teaspoon of cold water. Cover this mixture and refrigerate it until needed.
For Assembling
Step 3
Position one round of dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Evenly spread the prepared filling over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border untouched. Place the charm within the filling. Dampen the border with cold water, then place the second dough circle over the filling, firmly sealing the edges with your fingertips. Create a scalloped pattern around the border using the back of a table knife, pressing about ¼ to ½ inch deep every ½ inch. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 4
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Brush a thin coat of the reserved yolk glaze over the top of the galette to avoid the border (to prevent hindered rising due to glaze dripping). Use a paring knife to etch a decorative design on the galette's surface without piercing the dough. Make six small slits on the top to serve as steam vents.
Step 5
Reduce the oven temperature to 400°F and bake for 30 to 40 minutes until the galette has risen and turned a deep golden colour. Check its progress after 20 minutes; if it's browning too quickly, cover it loosely with foil. Once baked, transfer the galette to a cooling rack and let it cool for at least 15 minutes (expect some deflation due to the nature of puff pastry). Serve the galette warm or at room temperature.
This festive season, enjoy the spirit of celebration and togetherness by baking this delicious cake at home. With the simplest ingredients and preparation, you can make this cake and invite your family for a fun game.