On January 6th we celebrate Epiphany! Although the tradition is very popular and present in Europe, we must say that in Quebec this enthusiasm is felt from year to year – and the pancake is no longer eaten only on January 6th, but very often, throughout the month.
The traditional Galette des Rois is an upturned puff pastry topped with a frangipane cream that is about 2/3 almond cream and 1/3 pastry cream. However, many bakers and pastry chefs enjoy creating flavors that are as original as they are delicious.
Whether traditional or not, here are some suggestions for Galettes des Rois, prepared in an artisanal way with love!
The Toledo
Photo provided by Le Toledo
With a bakery on Plateau-Mont-Royal and a second in Verdun, Toledo ensures that as many Montrealers as possible are satisfied in search of delicious, high-quality breads and baked goods. On the occasion of Epiphany, we eat a traditional pancake according to the rules of the art or a second one garnished with homemade blueberry jam. Among the hundreds of cakes produced, only one hides a golden bean that can be exchanged for a $100 gift card that can be redeemed at either store. Who will be the lucky winner?
- letoledo.com
- 351 Avenue du Mont-Royal, Montreal
- 4448 rue Wellington, Verdun
The Bonyeuses
Photo provided by Les Bonyeuses
By combining the experiences in the À Everyone son Pain bakery and the enthusiasm of two new entrepreneurs, the Les Bonyeuses bakery was created in 2022. Always with the same mission to promote the Charlevoix region through the use of flours and ingredients from local artisans The team offers two Galettes des Rois; the classic with frangipane, as well as one with chocolate and hazelnut, plus, depending on tradition, a Brioche des Rois sprinkled with coarse sugar. We reserve it by phone or email to pick it up at one of the two branches – and use the opportunity to leave with more delicacies.
- lesbonyeuses.ca
- 10997 Boulevard Saint-Anne, Beaupre
- 1006 Boulevard Mgr de Laval, Baie-Saint-Paul
Luckily for the bread
Photo provided by Au Bonheur des Pains
Near Lévis – in Saint-Nicolas to be precise – you have to go to the Au Bonheur des Pains bakery before mid-January to bite into one of the three pancakes on offer. In addition to the classic, the team offers a second one with frangipane and hazelnut praline and a third, slightly lighter one with apples, as it does not contain almond cream.
We order it by phone so as not to go home empty-handed.
The 3 Galo'Pains
Photo provided by Les 3 Galo'Pains
From January 4th, exclusive holiday creations will give way to the Galette des Rois at the artisan bakery in old Saint-Eustache Les 3 Galo'Pains. This year two flavors will be available in two different formats. The traditional frangipane puff pastry will be no exception, alongside a second one in which a homemade candied orange jam is added to the almond frangipane. Ordering by telephone is possible, otherwise: First come, first served!
Half moon, half moon
Photo provided by Croissant Croissant
This pastry shop specializing in puff pastry, the Galette des Rois, is no exception! In addition to the traditional one, a second one is offered with pistachios and raspberry frangipane, as well as a third completely vegan one, this one with dark chocolate and pear. The three creations are available throughout January and can be ordered by phone or directly in store.
Bread in the sails
Photo provided by Pain dans les voiles
The Duvernay-Tardif family's artisan bakery – whose son Laurent took over in 2021 – stays true to tradition throughout January, producing the Galette des Rois. I could talk about the well-buttered puff pastry or the generous frangipane filling, but my favorite is the bean, designed exclusively for the bakery by one of my favorite ceramicists, Marie-Ève Dompierre. You therefore have the choice of keeping it or returning it to the store. In this case you will receive a free croissant. The pancakes are available at four bakeries, including the very last one in the town of Blainville.
- lepaindanslesvoiles.com
- 357 rue de Castelnau Est, Montreal
- 40 Boulevard Clairevue West, Saint Bruno
- 250 rue St-Georges, Mont-Saint-Hilaire
- 101-744 Boulevard du Curé-Labelle, Blainville
The croquembouche
Photo provided by Le Croquembouche
At Le Croquembouche pastry shop in Lower Quebec, we swear by tradition. For Epiphany, we are offering the classic galette, consisting of a well-buttered and flaky puff pastry, generously garnished with frangipane cream. Whether eaten at room temperature or slightly warmed in the oven, it delights both connoisseurs and beginners.
► Tommy Dion is a gastronomic columnist/critic and founder of the web platform and gourmet guide www.lecuisimane.com.