The 6th of January in Luxembourg is Dräikinneksdag (Three Kings Day). This traditional religious festival marks the celebration of the baby Jesus by the Magi. But the gourmands also wait for the Epiphany and its traditional king’s cake or Dräikinnekskuch.
The origins of the Epiphany or Dräikinneksdag
The Christian feast of the Epiphany takes place every year after the Christmas season, on January 6. The Epiphany celebrates the homage of the three Wise Men to the infant Jesuss. From Europe, Asia and Africa and guided by a star, the Magi find the newborn in a stable in Bethlehem and honor his birth. Gaspard, Mechior and Balthazar offer the son of God precious gifts: incense, myrrh and gold.
Unlike other European countries, Epiphany is not a public holiday in Luxembourg. In Spain, for example, Epiphany is also the day when children receive gifts. This tradition is perpetuated by the Spanish living in Luxembourg. Remember that Luxembourg children receive their gifts on Saint Nicholas Day , December 6 .
The traditional galette des Rois
Traditionally, on January 6th, Dräikinneksdag, a special cake is eaten in Luxembourg, the Dräikinnekskuch or three kings cake. The Galette des Rois would have a rather pagan origin. It would celebrate the upcoming return of light after the winter period. Indeed, the days are getting longer again since the winter solstice.
The galette des rois is made from 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.
There are all kinds of beans. According to the bakers, this one represents a character or a specific object. Some even put a coin inside their cake. Beans are the delight of fabophiles or bean collectors.
On Dräikinneksdag, in Luxembourg, the kings are celebrated with family and friends. The galette des rois is presented at the end of the meal as a dessert guide, accompanied by a golden cardboard crown. During the tasting, the youngest guest goes under the table. He allocates the pieces of cake at random to the people around the table. Whoever finds the bean in his or her piece of cake gets the crown. He or she becomes the king or queen of the day. He chooses his king or queen to accompany him.
The galette can be home-made or bought in Luxembourg bakeries or supermarkets. There are also Kings’ Crowns, more representative of the Portuguese culture.
Our simple recipe for the Galette des Rois
Ingredients
- 2 rolls of puff pastry
- 140 grams of almond powder
- 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk to colour the dough
- 80 grams of sugar
- 75 grams of soft butter
- 1 bean
Recipe
Heat your oven to 200 degrees (thermostat 6-7)
Place the first roll of puff pastry on a baking sheet.
For the frangipane, mix the almond powder, 2 eggs, butter and sugar in a suitable bowl with an electric mixer.
Spread the mixture over the dough, leaving about 2 cm of free space around the edge. Hide the bean in the mixture.
Cover the whole with the second roll of puff pastry on top. Glue the free edges of the 2 doughs with water.
Make pretty designs on the top.
Place in a hot oven for 20 to 30 minutes until the cake is golden brown. Remove from oven, let cool and enjoy cold.
Enjoy your meal!
A lighter version can be made by replacing the frangipane with apple or fruit sauce. The greediest mix chocolate with frangipane.
