We were a bit late in buying our galette this year, because in France, the galette des rois is traditionally shared at Epiphany, on 6 January, as it celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men in Bethlehem. However, they are usually available in shops throughout most of the month of January.
The galette is a puff pastry cake, filled with frangipane (a cream made from sweet almonds, butter, eggs and sugar) and has a small charm, the fève, hidden inside.
In the past, the pastry would be cut into as many portions as there were guests, plus one. The last one, called the “part du pauvre” or poor man’s share, was for the first poor person who stopped by the house. In the 18th century, the fève was a porcelain figurine representing the nativity and characters from the crib. Nowadays there is a wide range of different fèves. The fève in our galette this year is a porcelain representation of an old photograph taken near a village on the Seine called Maisons-Lafitte.
The family tradition is for everyone to gather together to cut the famous cake. The youngest child goes under the table and points out the guests, who are then given their portion of the cake. A cardboard crown is supplied with the cake. The one who finds the fève is crowned and chooses his or her queen or king. We didn’t do this – we just ate the cake ! ☺
The cake looks delicious! (as I'm sure it was) Your presentation of the treat and the fève is great. It has me wishing I could've been the first one to knock at your door after the cake had been cut. Thanks for sharing the traditions of this special treat.
