French King Cake inspires my gluten-free version to honor Epiphany and gather loved ones around the table. I hope this recipe brings luck and prosperity for all in the coming year.
Contents
Easy French king cake recipe
French King Cake, known as la galette des rois, is celebrated during Epiphany on January 6. This day marks the end of the Christmas season and commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men to Jesus. This cake is now one of the most famous French desserts.
The cake is made from puff pastry filled with frangipane. However, I’m familiar with the cake from the South. This version uses brioche adorned with candied fruits and sugar.
Brioche requires advanced preparation and is difficult to make gluten-free. So I created a French King cake with oranges and almonds. It is topped with candied orange peel, glace cherries, and jelly sweets.
This French King Cake is sugary and festive, perfect for parties. The moist cake is best served as a dessert with cream or Greek yogurt. Traditionally, a bean is baked into one slice of the cake. Whoever finds it becomes the King or Queen for the day. Here is the recipe for traditional French King Cake:
Gluten-Free French King Cake
Ingredients
- 130 g light brown sugar
- 130 g butter
- 120 g ground almonds
- 75 g self-raising gluten-free flour blend
- 3 eggs
- 3 clementines
- 1 tbsp orange marmalade for topping
- 2 tbsp caster sugar for glaze.
- 6-7 glace cherries and pieces of candied orange peel and several jelly sweets to decorate.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180oC. Grease and line a small, deep round cake tin.
- Beat together the butter and sugar until light and creamy.
- Beat the eggs lightly in a separate bowl then mix in a bit at a time with the butter and sugar. Add a pinch of flour to prevent the mixture curdling.
- Fold in the rest of the flour, the ground almonds and the baking powder.
- Finely grate in the zest of all three clementines; squeeze in the juice of one.
- Lightly stir into the mixture.
- Transfer to the tin and bake for about 45 minutes, or until a cake skewer comes out clean.
- Meanwhile, make the glaze by squeezing the juice of the remaining clementines into a bowl and stir in the caster sugar.
- When the cake is done, leave to cool slightly in the tin, then turn out onto a wire rack. Prick all over with a fork and while still warm, drizzle over the glaze.
- When cool, heat the marmalade briefly and spread over the top of the cake.
- Decorate with the candied orange peel, glace cherries, and jellies, or any combination of glace fruits.
- Serve with a little cream or Greek yogurt.
Nutrition
Pairing suggestions
This French King cake goes well with many accompaniments and beverages.
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Dessert cocktails offer festive twists.
- Sparkling wines complement the cake’s sweetness.
- Irish coffee blends whiskey, coffee, and cinnamon.
- Cider balances the cake’s sweetness.
- Kir Royal gives a fruity flavor.
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages
- Sparkling juice enhances the cake’s sweetness.
- Cold brew coffee contrasts the cake’s sweetness.
- Savory Accompaniments
- Salads balance the cake’s richness.
- Charcuterie contrasts with the pastry’s sweetness.
- Dessert Enhancements
- Fruits add freshness to the dessert.
- Cream adds richness and indulgence.
Variations
French King Cakes come in two distinct varieties for regional preferences and traditions.
- Galette des Rois is popular in northern France. The cake consists of puff pastry with almond cream filling. Frangipane contains almond flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. A fève is hidden inside the cake. It represents luck and crowns a “king” or “queen.” Modern versions use fillings like pistachio or chocolate.
- Gâteau des Rois is common in southern France. The cake resembles a brioche in a ring shape. It is decorated with candied fruits resembling a crown. The cake is flavored with cognac or orange blossom water. Gâteau des Rois is less dense than Galette des Rois. Its festive look comes from fruits and sugar decorations.
- Frangipane Galette is popular in Paris. It has layers of puff pastry with rich almond cream filling.
- Butter Galette is in the northern regions. This version contains a butter custard filling enhanced with rum or kirsch.
- Couronne des Rois is the southern brioche version. It is festive and visually appealing due to its colorful decorations.
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Just made this French king cake for Epiphany and it was a hit! The brioche was so fluffy. Couldn’t find a porcelain figurine so I used a whole almond instead. My son was thrilled to be ‘king for a day’!