Almond Galette

          In France, Almond Galette (known as Galette des Rois) is typically served on January 6: Epiphany, the Feast of the Three Kings. An ultra-buttery, remarkably flaky pastry crust stuffed with almond filling, this is quite possibly the easiest "fancy" dessert you'll ever make.


Ingredients:

Crust

• 1 1/2 cups (177g) All-purpose flour.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup (16 tablespoons, 227g) cold butter
• 1/2 cup (113g) sour cream

Filling

• 2/3 cup (170g) almond paste*
• 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup (99g) sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup (43g) All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 cup (50g) almond flour or very finely ground whole almonds

*If you've purchased a 7-ounce tube or block of almond paste, feel free to use the entire amount.

Glaze

• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon cold water

Directions:

1. To make the crust: 
   Weigh your flour; or measure it by gently spooning it into a cup, then sweeping off any excess. Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Cut the cold butter into pats, and work it into the flour mixture until it's unevenly crumbly, with larger bits of butter remaining intact.
2. Stir in the sour cream. The dough will be craggy but cohesive. Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and bring it together, if necessary, with a few quick kneads.
3. Pat the dough into a rough square. Roll it into a rough 8" x 10" rectangle. Make sure the underside is sufficiently dusted with flour that you can move it around easily.

Starting with one of the shorter (8") ends, fold the dough in thirds like a business letter. Flip it over (so the open flap is on the bottom), and turn it 90°. Roll the dough into an 8" x 10" rectangle again. Fold it in thirds again.

Perfect your technique

Wrap the dough in plastic and place in refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes (or over night). 

When you are ready to proceed, start preheating the oven to 400*F.  

Lightly grease a baking sheet, or line it with parchment.

Divide the pastry in half.  Roll one=half into a 10" square.

Using a 10"-round template (e.g., a dinner plate), cut a 10" circle. Set the circle onto the prepared baking sheet. 

To make the filling: Beat the almond paste, butter, sugar, and salt until thoroughly combined. 

Add the egg yolks and vanilla, and beat until well incorporated. 

Mix in the flours. 

Roll the other piece of pastry into an 11" square. Cut an 11" circle. 

To assemble the galette: Spread the filling over the smaller circle, leaving a 1" rim around the edge of the pastry. 

To make the glaze: Mix the egg yolk and water together. Brush some glaze over the uncovered edge of the pastry. 

Center the larger round of dough over the filled bottom crust, and smooth it over the filling. Using a fork, press and crimp the edge of the galette to seal. 

Decorate the galette by using the back of a knife to trace a pattern on the surface; you'll just barely cut into the surface without cutting all the way through. Poke a vent hole in the center, and four additional small slits at other random spots, hiding the slits in the pattern you've drawn. 

Brush an even coat of the glaze over the surface of the galette then bake it for 30 to 35 minutes, or until it's golden. Don't be afraid to let it become deeply browned; this slight caramelization gives the butter in the crust wonderful flavor. Remove the galette from the oven, and cool it slightly right on the baking sheet. 

Serve galette warm or at room temperature. Store any leftovers at room temperature for several days; freeze for longer storage.

Tips from our Bakers

Baking gluten-free? For great results, substitute Gluten-Free Measure for Flour for the all-purpose flour in both crust and filling; use 2 tablespoons water in the dough for the crust, adding it at the same time as the sour cream. You may find the crust cracks a bit as you fold it, but it will roll out just fine.