In Nola, there is no break between the holiday diet and king cake season. Sorry, we’re not sorry! While we love a traditional New Orleans king cake, there are so many tasty variations. The French King Cake is a sophisticated and yummy alternative to the New Orleans style king cake tradition that will make you stand out at your next Mardi Gras party.
Known as the The Galette des Rois in France, this cake is a way for French people to celebrate the Epiphany, the arrival of the Three Wise men (Magi). Every year, on January 6th, people gather pour tirer les rois, to find the kings – the same day we start Carnival! Instead of a baby, one lucky charm is hidden inside each cake. The person that gets the slice with the lucky charm becomes “the king” for the day!
The Ingredients
- ½ cup almonds
- 1/3 cup sugar
- Pinch salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Few drops almond extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temp
- 2 TBSP flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 2 sheets Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry, thawed
- Egg wash- 1 egg beaten lightly with ¼ cup water
Instructions
In a food processor, grind the almonds. Add sugar, eggs, vanilla and almond extract and process until blended lightly. Then add butter, flour and baking powder and process to make a smooth paste for about 10 seconds.
Place one sheet of puff pastry on cookie sheet. Spread paste mixture evenly over puff pastry leaving a 1” margin around the perimeter. Paint the perimeter with the egg wash. Place second sheet of pastry on top and carefully seal the edges with a fork, egg wash top of cake.
Make sure that the pastry is sealed well and that there are no holes or all of the filling will leak out during baking. At this point you can bake the cake or freeze and bake later. We think that it is better to get the dough really cold and freeze again before baking. You can also make at least 2 at a time… the recipe doubles very well!
Place frozen king cake in a preheated 400 oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.
When cooled dust with powdered sugar. (#BabesTip: Make a stencil with paper and place it in the middle of your cake before dusting – bam! a personalized french king cake. )
We love making this cake as a fun twist on the traditional King Cake & your guests will always be wow’ed with this French King Cake.
Bon Appetit & Happy Mardi Gras, Babes!
XOXO