Gourmandise for the Epiphany: the cake of kings in Provence!

Discover the history of the tradition of the king cake in Provence and for more pleasure, we propose you a recipe!

Page updated on 18/01/2023

The tradition

Guided by the star of the shepherd, the three wise men arrived at the baby Jesus to deposit their offerings...
In Provence, it is a king's cake that is shared on January 6 to celebrate the Epiphany or the arrival of the three wise men before Jesus who has just been born.
On the same day, the three santons representing the Magi are placed in the crib next to the baby Jesus...
You will enjoy this round brioche with orange blossom covered with sugar and topped with delicious candied fruits. The round shape of the brioche symbolizes the path of the Magi and the candied fruit the precious stones of their crowns.
The origin of the king cake came to France through the papacy of Avignon, where the first king pulling took place at the end of the 14th century in the Dominican convent.

What about the bean?

According to tradition, a bean will be placed in the cake to designate the king. But in Provence, we are generous! A ceramic or porcelain subject in addition to the bean, called a "santon" will also be placed in the cake. To draw the king, the youngest of the guests sits under the table and allocates a piece of cake. Whoever is lucky enough to find the bean in his or her slice is named king and will then wear the crown! The subject is the queen. And to make this king draw last longer, the one who has the bean pays the next cake...

The king's cake is eaten on January 6, but we enjoy it almost all month long!

Let's make room for greediness!

We suggest a recipe to make for 6 people.

Ingredients :

- 20 grams of baker's yeast
- 75g of butter
- 250g of flour
- 50g of sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1.5 tablespoons of orange blossom
- Orange zest
- Candied fruits

The steps

In a container, mix the baker's yeast in 20 cl of warm water

2

Cover the container with the yeast and warm water with a cloth for 1 hour.

Melt the 75g of butter

Beat the 2 eggs

5

In a bowl, add 250g of flour, 50g of sugar, the melted butter, the 2 beaten eggs, 1,5 c.s of orange blossom and a zest of orange - Mix the whole until obtaining a paste.

6

Add the leaven to the dough - mix again.

7

Form a ball with the dough and let it rest for 3 hours.

8

Kneading the dough 

9

Form a crown. Hide the bean and the ceramic or porcelain subject!

10

Put in the oven for 15/20 minutes at 150°.

11

Take the cake out of the oven. Arrange the candied fruits on the crown, according to your taste. Your king cake is ready! It can be served warm or cold.

Some addresses... 

Lyse Bakery 

Go to this bakery which has at heart to produce local! Between galettes and king's cake, your taste buds will be delighted! 

267 Rte de Gordes, 84220 Cabrières-d'Avignon

Nicoline Patisserie 

How about tasting the best frangipane cake of Vaucluse 2023? And yes, for the 3rd time, the pastry chef Nicolas Goddi won the 1st prize of the best frangipane cake. 

Come on, let's try it ! 

80 B Rte de Cavaillon, 84660 Maubec

The house of the Gibassier 

Delicious brioches des rois and frangipane cakes are waiting for you in the famous Maison du Gibassier in Lourmarin. Don't hesitate to visit it :) !

1945 Av. du 8 Mai, 84160 Lourmarin

Confectionery Saint-Denis 

For a maximum of delicacies, don't forget the candied fruits, so famous in Provence! Those of the Saint-Denis confectionery in Beaumettes, elaborated in an entirely artisanal way will make your mouth water! 

Zone Artisanale Plan des Amandiers, 84220 Beaumettes

Photo gallery

gateau_roi_2.jpg
Galette des rois boulangerie Lyse
Gâteau des rois boulangerie Lyse
galette la nicoline
la nicoline

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