After the Christmas logs or festive chocolates, after the kougelhopf versus panettone duel, and before the Candlemas pancakes or Valentine's Day dishes, other ephemeral stars of the table come forward at the start of the year… It These are, of course, king cakes.
For Epiphany too, pastry chefs imagine special creations. And if we appreciate the traditional version of the galette des rois with puff pastry and frangipane (mixture of almond cream and pastry cream), we also like when sweet toques twist their recipes a little. Here is a selection of pancakes which, by their shape, their look, their composition or their taste, deviate a little from the beaten track.
Our selection of king cakes for Epiphany
Matthieu Carlin's cake at the Hôtel de Crillon
Matthieu Carlin, the pastry chef at the Hôtel de Crillon, also takes care of the Parisian palace's sweet boutique, Butterfly Pâtisserie. He was inspired by this to decorate his frangipane, almond, vanilla and tonka bean pancake, which he decorated with a delicately sculpted butterfly motif. It is accompanied by a pot of salted butter caramel for added indulgence.
For 8 people. : €60. More information here.
Pierre Hermé’s hazelnut and gianduja pancake
Pierre Hermé, globe-trotting pastry chef, has planned four different pancakes this year, including a flaky brioche with clementine confit. But also this version with designer and labyrinthine lines and signed with his initials. Under the fork: crispy puff pastry, gianduja cream and roasted hazelnut pieces.
For 4, 8 and 12 people. : 38, 62 and 78 €. More information here.
The king cake from La Réserve Paris
Palm of elegance for the galette imagined by Jordan Talbot, pastry chef of La Réserve Paris, hotel where the three-star chef Jérôme Banctel works. Its frangipane cream is flavored with vanilla and orange blossom. Slightly wavy on top, it is topped with crispy gavotte tiles lined with large caramelized almonds.
For 6-8 people. : €65. More information here.
The flan of kings by Nicolas Paciello
Like stuffed cabbage or pâté en croute, flan is one of the symbols of the chic panache of traditional French cuisine. In his new store, Nicolas Paciello has imagined a version specially dedicated to Epiphany. To do this, he simply added a frangipane heart to his flan maker.
For 6 people. : €39. More information here.
The royal pineapple cake from La Maison du chocolat
Chocolate and pineapple… Here’s one that makes you want to travel. One of La Maison du chocolat's creations combines almond cream with grated coconut, pastry cream with coconut puree, dark chocolate ganache, diced pineapple roasted with vanilla, coconut shavings fresh and lime zest. On top, a thin and crunchy crown of chocolate.
For 8 people. : €65. More information here.
Lenôtre’s salty pancake
Yes, we admit, we cheat a little by adding this salty pancake to the selection. But the Christmas spirit is still in the air, isn't it? And it's for a good cause: a gourmet creation that makes you want to sit down at the table. Under the puff pastry: thin strips of potato gratin, trumpets of death and a walnut Viennese with chives.
For 4 people. : €48. More information here.
The Lutetia snowflake pancake
Original look for the pancake by Nicolas Guercio, pastry chef at Lutetia in Paris. Who has not forgotten to work on the taste and textures: here he combines a flaky brioche and a frangipane, just to preserve the crispness and softness. Light as a snowflake.
For 8 people. : €75. More information here.
Alléno & Rivoire's queen galette
To Discover
Kangaroo of the day
Answer
Last but not least : the pancake imagined by Yannick Alléno and Aurélien Rivoire. In addition to its elegant style, it offers a combination of reassuring and delicate tastes: chocolate almond cream and orange compote, all covered with crispy corn. It is sold alone or as a duo with a crunchy chocolate bar, filled with chocolate cream and orange compote.
For 8 people. : €58. Tablet of kings: €16. More information here.
