Galette des Rois Express

Galette des Rois Express: A Quick and Delicious Twist on a Classic French Pastry

If you love French pastries and want to celebrate the Epiphany in style (or simply enjoy a buttery, flaky treat), the Galette des Rois—or King Cake—is a must-try! Traditionally enjoyed in France on January 6th to mark the Three Kings’ Day, this almond-filled puff pastry is a festive delight that’s both elegant and indulgent. However, if you’re short on time or prefer a more straightforward recipe, you’ll love this Galette des Rois Express, which delivers all the deliciousness of the classic version without the fuss!

In this quick and easy variation, you’ll get the same golden, flaky layers and rich almond filling that makes the Galette des Rois so irresistible—but with a fraction of the effort. Perfect for both beginners and experienced bakers, this recipe gives you a fast track to the ultimate French pastry experience.

What is Galette des Rois?

The Galette des Rois, or “King Cake,” is a traditional French pastry typically enjoyed on Epiphany, which commemorates the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus. The galette is typically made of puff pastry filled with a rich almond cream called frangipane. Hidden inside the galette is a small figurine or fève, and the person who finds it in their slice is crowned king or queen for the day!

While the traditional version may require making puff pastry from scratch, this Galette des Rois Express version skips that step, using ready-made puff pastry to save time while still delivering the delightful flavor and texture.

Ingredients

• 2 sheets of ready-made puff pastry (store-bought to save time)
• 1/2 cup almond meal (or finely ground almonds)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1 large egg (plus 1 egg yolk for egg wash)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon rum (optional, but adds depth of flavor)
• Pinch of salt
• 1 fève (a small figurine or bean, optional but traditional)
• Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Almond Filling (Frangipane)
Start by making the almond filling. In a mixing bowl, combine the almond meal, granulated sugar, softened butter, whole egg, vanilla extract, rum (if using), and a pinch of salt. Use a hand mixer or a whisk to blend everything together until smooth and creamy. This almond paste is the key to the delicious richness of the galette.

Step 2: Roll Out the Puff Pastry
Unroll your two sheets of ready-made puff pastry on a clean, flat surface. If you find that the puff pastry sheets are too thick, you can roll them out gently with a rolling pin to make them slightly thinner.

Place one sheet of puff pastry on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Be sure to leave some space around the edges.

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Step 3: Assemble the Galette