Galette des rois with berries

Delicious Recipe: Galette des Rois with Frangipane and Berries

Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Baking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Servings: 8

Welcome to the wonderful world of desserts! Today, we will prepare a special recipe: Galette des Rois with a stunning flower bouquet design, filled with a delicious frangipane cream and berries. This recipe is not only a feast for the taste buds but also a small culinary masterpiece. Whether you’re making it for a celebration or simply to bring a touch of joy to everyday life, we guarantee it will quickly become a family favorite.

A Brief History

Galette des Rois, also known as the "King's Cake," is a culinary tradition that marks the celebration of Epiphany. It is associated with the custom of hiding a figurine inside the pie, and the person who finds it becomes the "king" of the day. In this version, we’ve added a modern twist: frangipane cream, a blend of almond cream and vanilla, which brings a rich and sophisticated flavor, perfect for celebrating special moments.

Ingredients

For the vanilla cream:
- 125 ml milk (preferably whole for a creamier taste)
- 30 g sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 vanilla pod or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the frangipane cream:
- 25 g butter, at room temperature
- 40 g powdered sugar
- 1 whole egg
- 75 g almond flour
- 3 heaping tablespoons of berries (fresh or frozen)

For the pastry:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry
- 1 egg, beaten (for brushing the pastry)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preparing the Vanilla Cream

Start by preparing the vanilla cream, which will add a rich layer of flavor to the pie.

- In a saucepan, combine the milk with 15 g of sugar and the split vanilla pod (or vanilla extract) over medium heat. Allow it to warm up, but do not let it boil.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk the egg yolk with the remaining sugar (15 g) until it becomes a creamy paste.
- Add the cornstarch and mix well until you have a smooth mixture.
- When the milk is warm, gradually pour it over the egg mixture, whisking continuously to prevent the egg from curdling.
- Return the mixture to low heat, stirring constantly until the cream thickens. It’s essential to keep an eye on it to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.
- Once the cream has thickened, remove it from heat and let it cool, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming.

2. Preparing the Frangipane Cream

While the vanilla cream cools, let’s move on to the frangipane cream.

- In a bowl, cream the softened butter with the powdered sugar until fluffy.
- Add the egg and continue mixing until well combined.
- Incorporate the almond flour and finally, the cooled vanilla cream, mixing well to achieve a uniform consistency.
- Finally, add the berries and gently fold them in to avoid crushing them.

3. Assembling the Galette

Now that we have all the components ready, it’s time to assemble the galette.

- Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut out 8 discs (approximately 12 cm in diameter each).
- Place 4 discs on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and add a tablespoon of frangipane cream in the center of each disc.
- Using a brush, brush the edges of the discs with the beaten egg (or water) to help seal them.
- Optionally, hide a figurine in the cream, then cover with the other 4 pastry discs, gently pressing the edges to seal. It’s important that the filling is well covered to prevent it from leaking during baking.
- With the remaining pastry, create leaves, petals, or stems to decorate the galette in a flower bouquet shape. Let your imagination run wild!
- Brush the entire composition with the remaining beaten egg mixed with a tablespoon of cold milk. This will give the pie a beautiful golden color when baked.

4. Baking

- Place the galette in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to chill. This step is essential to prevent the pastry from deforming during baking.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C. After 20 minutes, bake the galette for 10 minutes at this temperature, then reduce the temperature to 180°C and bake for another 10 minutes, until the pastry is golden and crispy.
- Once done, remove the galette from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

Serving

Galette des Rois with frangipane and berries is best served warm but can also be enjoyed at room temperature. It pairs deliciously with cider, a light alcoholic beverage that perfectly complements the sweet flavors of the pie. Imagine how, with each slice, the rich taste of almonds and vanilla blends with the juiciness of the berries, creating an explosion of flavors.

Practical Tips

- Choosing the fruits: Use fresh berries for a more intense flavor or frozen berries for convenience. If using frozen berries, be sure to drain them well to avoid excess water in the filling.
- Decoration: Feel free to add a personal touch with pastry decorations! Use shapes and lines for an artistic look.
- The figurine: If you want to stick to tradition, don’t forget to hide the figurine, but make sure all guests are aware of its presence!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use a different type of pastry?
Yes, you can use tart pastry or brioche dough, but the taste and texture will vary.

2. How can I store the galette?
Galette des Rois keeps well at room temperature, covered with plastic wrap. It can also be enjoyed the next day, but it’s best fresh.

3. Can I omit the berries?
Absolutely! You can add chocolate, nuts, or other dried fruits, depending on personal preferences.

4. How many calories are in a serving of galette?
A serving of galette des Rois with frangipane has approximately 250-300 calories, depending on the ingredients used.

Variations

If you want to explore new flavors, try adding spices like cinnamon or cardamom to the vanilla cream or experiment with different types of nuts in the frangipane cream.

We conclude this culinary adventure with a heartfelt "Enjoy your meal!" and hope you share this recipe with your loved ones, turning every meal into a celebration. Bon appétit!