Dreikinneksdag: the delicious Epiphany galette des rois

  • 06/Jan/2025
  • Luxembourg
Dreikinneksdag Luxembourg: Epiphany and Galette des rois
Dreikinneksdag Luxembourg: Epiphany and Galette des rois

Event description


January 6 is Dräikinneksdag or Three Kings Day in Luxembourg. This traditional religious festival marks the celebration of the Christ Child by the Three Wise Men. But gourmets also look forward to Epiphany and its traditional galette des rois or Dräikinnekskuch in Luxembourg.

The origins of Epiphany or Dräikinneksdag in Luxembourg

The Christian feast of Epiphany takes place every year after Christmas, on January 6. Epiphany celebrates the Three Wise Men's homage to the Christ Child. In Christian tradition, the Three Wise Men, guided by a star from Europe, Asia and Africa, set out to find the newborn child. They honor his birth in a stable in Bethlehem. These Magi, named Gaspard, Mechior and Balthazar, offer the son of God precious gifts: frankincense, myrrh and gold.

Unlike in other European countries, Epiphany is not a public holiday in Luxembourg. In Spain, for example, Epiphany is also the day on which children receive presents. This tradition is perpetuated by Spaniards living in Luxembourg. Luxembourg children receive their presents on Saint Nicholas Day , December 6.

Luxembourg's traditional galette des rois, the dräikinnekskuch

Traditionally, on January 6, Dräikinneksdag, a special cake is eaten in Luxembourg: dräikinnekskuch or three kings' cake. It's the perfect occasion to "draw the kings".

The origins of dräikinnekskuch in Luxembourg

The dräikinnekskuch or galette des Rois is said to have rather pagan origins. Its round shape and golden color would celebrate the coming return of light after the winter period. This is the period when the days lengthen again in Luxembourg, after the winter solstice.

What is the galette or king's cake eaten on Epiphany?

The galette des rois is a cake made with puff pastry and frangipane, a kind of cream made from almond paste. The cake contains a bean hidden inside.

Originally, the bean was the vegetable of the same name. Today, a ceramic figurine replaces the vegetable. Beans come in all shapes and sizes. Depending on the confectioner, the bean represents a character or a specific object. Some even put a coin inside their galette. Fabophiles, or bean collectors, are particularly fond of fava beans.

The galette can be baked at home or bought in Luxembourg bakeries or supermarkets. Couronnes des Rois, more representative of Portuguese culture, are also available.

How do you draw kings on January 6, Epiphany Day?

On Dräikinneksdag, January §, in Luxembourg, we "draw the kings" with family and friends. The galette des rois is presented at the end of the meal as a dessert, accompanied by a golden cardboard crown. During the tasting, the youngest guest passes under the table. He or she then allocates the slices of galette at random to the people around the table. The person who finds the bean in his or her slice of cake is entitled to the crown. This makes him or her king or queen for the day. He or she chooses a king or queen to accompany them.

If you've got a sweet tooth, don't forget to blow your pancakes at Chandeleur , and feast on carnival doughnuts!

Our simple galette des Rois recipe to celebrate Epiphany

Ingredients for a delicious galette des rois

  • 2 rolls puff pastry
  • 140 grams almond powder
  • 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk to colour the dough
  • 80 grams sugar
  • 75 grams soft butter
  • 1 bean

Homemade galette des rois recipe

Heat your oven to 200 degrees (thermostat 6-7).

Place the first roll of puff pastry on a baking sheet.

For the frangipane, use an electric mixer to combine the almond powder, 2 eggs, butter and sugar in a suitable bowl.

Spread the mixture over the dough, leaving a border of about 2 cm. Hide the bean in the mixture.

Cover the whole with the second roll of puff pastry on top. Apply water to the free edges of the 2 pastries.

Make pretty designs on the top.

Place in a hot oven for 20-30 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven, leave to cool and enjoy cold.

Enjoy your meal!

A lighter version can be made by replacing the frangipane with applesauce or fruit compote. Those with a sweet tooth can mix chocolate into the frangipane.

Want to know about other gourmet traditions (or not) in Luxembourg? See our article on traditional festivals.

  • Start date :
  • 06/01/2025

Location


Luxembourg

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