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Gâteau des rois
Epiphany brioche crown
Gâteau des rois provençal: orange-blossom brioche crown with candied fruit for Epiphany
In Provence and the south of France, Epiphany on 6 January is celebrated not with the northern frangipane galette but with the gâteau des rois, a ring of soft brioche scented with orange-blossom water, studded with candied fruit and pearl sugar, hiding a fève (a small charm) and a paper crown for whoever finds it. The youngest child sits under the table and calls out who gets each slice. The common mistake is adding the candied fruit to the dough, which tears it. Chef's tip: press the fruit on top just before baking, so it shines like jewels.
- Total time
- 265 min
- Difficulty
- hard
- Serves
- 10
Ingredients
- 16 oz strong white bread flour
- 2 ½ oz caster sugar
- ¼ oz salt
- ¼ oz instant dried yeast
- 3 eggs
- ¼ cup lukewarm milk
- 2 tbsp orange-blossom water
- 3 ½ oz unsalted buttersoft
- 1 eggbeaten, to glaze
- 3 ½ oz candied fruit (orange, cherries, melon)in strips
- 1 ⅜ oz pearl sugar
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: In a stand mixer knead the 16 oz strong white bread flour, 2 ½ oz caster sugar, ¼ oz salt, ¼ oz instant dried yeast, 3 eggs, ¼ cup lukewarm milk, 2 tbsp orange-blossom water and 1 orange zest for 10 minutes. Add the 3 ½ oz unsalted butter a little at a time and knead until smooth and elastic.
15 minStep 2: Cover and rise for 2 hours, until doubled.
120 minStep 3: Knock back, shape into a ball and poke a hole in the middle with your fingers, then stretch it into a 25 cm ring on a lined tray. Push the 1 a fève or whole almond, to hide into the underside. Put an oiled ramekin in the centre to keep the hole open.
10 minStep 4: Cover and prove for 1 hour until puffy. Heat the oven to 350°F (325°F fan).
60 minStep 5: Brush with 1 egg, press on the 3 ½ oz candied fruit (orange, cherries, melon) fruit and scatter with 1 ⅜ oz pearl sugar. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and hollow-sounding. Cool on a rack and warn guests about the hidden charm.
25 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 7 g
- Carbs
- 46 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does gâteau des rois take?
- About 265 minutes in total: 240 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 10 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of strong white bread flour?
- Plain flour, same amount (the dough will be softer and rise a little less).
- What can I use instead of caster sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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