A classic symbol of Parisian wintertime is the delightful Galette de Rois- or 'king's cake'. This special pastry traditionally graces tables on January 6th as a celebration of Epiphany. The origins of this tradition trace back to the biblical journey of the three wise men, or kings, to meet the newborn baby Jesus.

One stand-out feature is the cake’s flaky, almost ethereal crust enveloping a rich and luscious almond cream. Orange and rum undertones thoroughly saturate the dense filling, offering a burst of harmonized flavors in every bite. But the truly unique element to this pastry is the small token it hides. A kidney bean is placed inside the cake, bestowing king-for-a-day rights to the lucky individual who discovers it. This is a common practice not exclusive to this dessert but also found in similar delights worldwide.

Similar pastries known as Pithiviers, named after the town south of Paris where they're thought to originate, are also made with a puff pastry exterior, and potentially savory or sweet fillings. The almond cream unique to the Galette de Rois, or frangipane, is an example of a traditional pithivier filling. A counterpart in Louisiana, known as a King Cake, integrates fruit and cream cheese as opposed to the almond filling traditional to the galette.

Preparing such a pastry might seem demanding: keeping the dough chilled is key for accurate texture. Although dividing and chilling the dough might feel wearisome, it guarantees an optimum texture.

Instead of a single large pastry, you can make personal galettes by dividing the dough into smaller rounds. They will also generally require a shorter baking time, about 20 minutes.

Storing the pastry is convenient: it can be refrigerated for up to five days or frozen for as long as six months. This makes the galette a fantastic option for advance preparation, especially given the longevity of the homemade frangipane which may be prepared up to three days in advance and refrigerated or frozen for up to a month.

Join the Parisians in delighting in this winter-time, royal pastry on January 6th. Experience the magic of finding the hidden kidney bean inside and becoming 'king for a day'. The preparation might need a little effort, but the memorable taste and the joy it brings makes it all worthwhile.