Galette des Rois

Two discs of puff pastry are sealed around almond frangipane, with a tiny figurine hidden inside; whoever finds it is crowned king for the day. It is eaten across France for Epiphany in January.

The galette des rois, a puff pastry filled with almond frangipane, is traditionally eaten in France to celebrate Epiphany on January 6th. Its origins are debated, with some linking it to ancient Roman Saturnalia festivals where a bean was hidden in a cake, while others trace it to medieval Christian traditions commemorating the Three Kings. The practice of hiding a small figurine - now often ceramic, but historically a bean - and crowning the finder as king or queen has been documented in France since at least the 16th century.

Regional variations are notable: in northern France, the galette is made with puff pastry and frangipane, while in the south (particularly Provence), a brioche-style cake shaped like a crown, studded with candied fruits, is more common. The cultural significance lies in its festive, communal sharing - typically sliced so that the youngest person under the table can distribute portions, ensuring the figurine is found by chance. The winner wears a paper crown and chooses a partner, linking the dessert to carnival-like celebration and the start of the Epiphany season.