A total epiphany: the 12th day of Christmas wouldn’t be complete without traditional galette des rois. Here’s where to get them in Toronto
Today is Epiphany—the 12th and final day of Christmas—which celebrates the day when the biblical three kings arrived to honour baby Jesus with gifts. What better way to mark the occasion than with carefully crafted forms of butter, flour and sugar? The galette des rois (the kings’ cake) is a puff pastry cake that’s associated with the festival in France. Traditional versions are filled with frangipane, but variations exist; some may be familiar with its garish sugar-embellished brioche cousin served at Mardi Gras and Carnival. In either form, a fève (traditionally a bean, but most bakeries use a ceramic figurine) is hidden within the buttery cake. The person who finds the trinket becomes “king for the day,” receiving various privileges, obligations (such as buying the cake for the next celebration) and a paper crown.
Here, our list of local bakeries carrying the seasonal specialty.
• Jules Café Patisserie, 617 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-481-1666, julescafe.ca.
Traditional and chocolate (chocolate frangipane with pear). $19–$33, serves four to eight. Available during the month of January.
• Patisserie Sebastien, 3306 Yonge St., 416-544-0333. . $20–$36, serves four to eight. Available until Jan. 9 or by special order.
• Patisserie La Cigogne, 1626 Bayview Ave., 416-487-1234, patisserielacigogne.com. $23–$33, serves six to 12. Available during the month of January.
• Petite Thuet, various locations, including 244 King St. E., 416-519-4847, petitethuet.com. $18, serves six. Available during the month of January.
• Rahier Patisserie, 1586 Bayview Ave., 416-482-0917, rahierpatisserie.com. $17.30–$31.50, serves four to eight. Available during the month of January.
• Thobors Boulangerie Patisserie Café, 623 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-544-1733, thobors.ca. Priced by weight, $3.50 per 100g, serves four to 10. Available until mid-January or by special order.
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