Delicious "Galette des Rois" (King Cake)

As a French tradition, we eat a “Galette des Rois” in January for the Epiphany. This tradition is followed by many families regardless of religion.

The traditional recipe isn’t vegan but you can easily swap butter and eggs for a vegan option.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 puff pastry sheets

• 1 ¼ cups almond meal

• 1 stick of unsalted butter, melted - Use vegan butter for a vegan option

• ¼ cup sugar - you may use coconut sugar instead

• 2 eggs + 1 yolk - you may use unsweetened applesauce instead and 1 tbsp maple syrup mixed with 2 tbsp almond milk instead of the yolk

• 1 tbsp rum (optional)

You will need a “ fève” (a little charm) to hide in the galette. You may use a whole almond if you prefer.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400F.

2. Unfold the first puff pastry sheet on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

3. In a large bowl, add almond meal, melted butter, sugar, and the 2 eggs, mixing after each addition.

4. Mix all ingredients and place the mixture in the refrigerator for 10 minutes so the mixture hardens a bit. It will prevent it to run when it will be spread on the dough.

5. Spread the mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch bare border.

6. Place the “fève” (little charm) on the mixture, preferably close to the edge.

7. Slightly moisten the bare border with cold water. The 2 puff pastry sheets will better stick together.

8. Cover with the other puff pastry and press all over with a fork to seal them.

9. Brush the yolk over the top of the “galette” and refrigerate for 5 minutes.

10. Using a knife, make the design of your choice on top of the galette without piercing the dough.

11. Brush the remainder of the yolk all over the top of the galette (sides included) and bake for 10 minutes at 400F.

12. After 10 minutes at 400F, lower the oven temperature to 350F and bake for another 20 minutes.

13. Enjoy warm and watch your teeth!

The French tradition goes like this:

• You cannot look inside the galette to see if you have “fève” - so be careful when biting!

• Before serving slices, the youngest person (usually a child) closes their eyes and say the name of a person. This person gets the slice of the galette. It continues until everyone has a slice.

• Whoever got the "fève" wears a crown (you can easily make one) and becomes the king or the queen.