I had just been reading about the French custom of celebrating Epiphany (January 6) with a special pastry called a Galette des Rois, or Pastry of Kings. And then Bill surprised me by bringing one home yesterday from the Petit Pierre Bakery in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle.
It’s a disc of buttery pastry filled with marzipan or frangipane. It comes with a little ceramic or plastic charm which is to be hidden in the cake. A paper crown comes with it as well so it is properly royal.
Whoever has the good fortune to come upon the charm — and hopefully the not the bad fortune to break a tooth on it — is the king or queen for the rest of the day. Our charm is the lovely little ceramic elephant you see in the picture.
A very tasty tradition!