A true tradition dating back to the 14th century, the Epiphany brings young and old together around the essential and delicious galettes des rois (king cakes). This Christian feast, which celebrates the arrival of the incarnate Messiah in the world and the visit of the Magi, falls this year on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. However, since the biblical date is not a public holiday, it is customary to celebrate it on the first Sunday after January 1st; this year, that falls on the weekend, on Sunday, January 3rd.
At the beginning of 2021, I am offering you my small selection of galettes for this first celebration of the year, and I also hope you finish this festive moment wearing a crown if possible…
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Table of Contents
My small selection of Galettes des Rois
Of course, this selection is not exhaustive, and it only includes the few galettes I had the opportunity to taste in advance to prepare this article. I will also be adding more of my tests throughout the month of January (when it is customary to eat galettes)!
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Galettes from Maison Dalloyau
For the 2021 Epiphany, the pastry chef at Maison Dalloyau, Jérémy Del Val, a French Dessert Champion, has created a galette des rois this year based on Piedmont hazelnut cream flavored with coffee and Tahitian vanilla, in collaboration with Café Kitsuné, featuring a heart of roasted apples. The design on the top of the galette features a coffee cup to recall the conviviality of these festive moments.
Inside the galettes, you will find collectible porcelain fèves (beans) made in France featuring the colors of Café Kitsuné. Among them are 5 winning fèves, each rewarding the finder with a tote bag or a t-shirt from the Kitsuné ready-to-wear collection.
Dalloyau Galettes
Price for the Dalloyau Kitsuné galette: 49 € for 6/7 people
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Galette from Maison Sève
I am a huge fan of the red praline galette des rois from the iconic master chocolatier and pastry chef from Lyon, Richard Sève. I think it is hard to find it anywhere other than Lyon, but it has been my personal favorite for years!
Sève, Master Chocolatier and Pastry Chef / Lyon
Price: from €18 to €39.90 depending on size
available in store from January 2 to January 31, 2021
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Galette des Rois from Le Grand Véfour by Guy Martin
This Parisian institution offers us for this beginning of the year a galette des rois with a smooth passion-fruit version of frangipane, dressed with beautiful slices of Victoria pineapple candied in caramel and bits of Ardèche chestnut! My favorite photographer had the chance to discover this galette in the presence of Chef Guy Martin last September.
Le Grand Véfour
17 Rue de Beaujolais, 75001 Paris
Price: €46 for a galette for 6 people (by order)
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Hugo & Victor Galettes
The 100% French frangipane galette from Hugo & Victor is made with extra-fresh butter from the Charente-Poitou AOP cooperative, French wheat flour, and almonds from Occitanie.
For those who would like a change from the traditional frangipane galette, Hugo & Victor also offers a signature galette with a blend of pears and chestnuts, enhanced with a touch of tonka bean. Another alternative for the Epiphany for those who don’t like galettes is the Hyéroise Combawa flaky brioche.
Finally, for more originality, the house also offers a savory galette filled with Melanosporum truffle and button mushrooms.
Frangipane galette des rois for 6/8 people €45
Signature galette for 6/8 people €49
Hyéroise Combawa brioche for 6 people €35
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The Brioche Dorée Galette
This year, I tested the new Galette des Rois recipe from Brioche Dorée: Carrément Fondant (Simply Melting)! This 2021 edition, made in Condat-sur-Trincou in the Dordogne, offers a rather regressive melting chocolate galette. In the heart of the pure butter puff pastry, we find a moist dark chocolate texture, very gourmet! Plus, its square shape evokes a chocolate bar.
Of course, for fans of classic galettes, the brand also offers a frangipane galette and another one with Royal Gala apples.
The little extra: since 2017, Brioche Dorée has been collaborating with Fèves de France, whose artisanal workshops are located in Burgundy, to garnish its galettes with fine porcelain fèves “made in France”.
Carrément Fondant Brioche Dorée Galette
Price: €15.50 (for 4 to 6 people)
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Galette from the Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace Hotel
This year, pastry chef Eddie Benghanem has imagined a galette in the likeness of the Sun King to brighten up holiday tables. At its heart, we find an almond cream surrounded by thin, caramelized puff pastry with notes of butter, reminiscent of a kouign amann.
Sun King Galette by Eddie Benghanem for the Waldorf Astoria Versailles Trianon Palace
Price: €45 (for 6/8 people)
By order 24 hours in advance at 01.30.84.55.55
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Galette from Maison Bretteau
The Bretteau family is a family of bakers established in Paris since 1972. In 2014, Sébastien, the son of the family, took over the artisanal bakery located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris with his wife, Claire.
This galette is prepared with almonds ground every day for a super fresh frangipane, with a puff pastry rich in “Montaigu” AOP Charentes-Poitou butter and a good generous splash of rum! Inside the galettes, you can find collectible fèves from a drawing competition held with the class of “Grandes Sections” at the La Rochefoucauld school, 75007.
31 avenue de la Motte Picquet 75007 Paris
On sale from January 1 to January 31, 2021 in the 2 shops and via delivery through Epicery, UberEats, and Delivroo
Price: €4.30 per slice / €17.20 for 4 people / €25.80 for 6 people / €34.40 for 8 people
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If you have any good addresses, a favorite, or tips for finding the best galette des rois, don’t hesitate to leave a comment to share your tip! And happy Epiphany to everyone!
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez Photos are not royalty-free, photographer's authorization required before any use
