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Pithiviers

Servings: 8
Comments:
This delicious pastry cake originated in Pithiviers in France. It is traditionally served on Twelfth Night when it is called "galette du roi", and is actually meant for the Epiphany, or Jan. 6, when the three kings finally got to visit Jesus in his manger. This light pastry, with a rich almond cream, comes with a twist. Anyone who gets the hard bean or whole almond in their slice is crowned king or queen for a day, and wears a paper crown. Make sure you tell your guests about the whole hard bean or whole almond in the cake. You don't want anyone to choke on it.


Ingredients:
Ingredients:
1/3 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 egg
1/2 cup ground blanched almonds, OR 1/2 cup store-bought almond powder
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons rum
1 whole hard bean or 1 whole almond (optional)
2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
Confectioners' sugar, for garnish


Instructions:
In a food processor, process together the sugar, butter, egg, almonds (or almond powder, if using), extracts and rum until light and fluffy. Line a shallow 6-inch bowl with plastic wrap and spoon in the nut mixture. Smooth the top flat and chill in the freezer 30 minutes to form a disk of firm nut filling.

Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C).

Meanwhile, roll the puff pastry out a bit thinner just to flatten it and make the sheets square, about 10 inches, then chill them. Using a pizza cutter and a lid or cake pan as your guide, cut the largest disk possible out of both pieces of pastry.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to make an egg wash. Place one of the pastry disks on a parchment lined sheet pan and paint a 2-inch border on the edge of the pastry with the egg-wash.

Pop the chilled nut filling out of the bowl, peel off the plastic, and place it in the center of the pastry. (Place a whole hard bean or a whole almond somewhere in the nut filling. This is optional). Carefully place the second pastry disk on top and ease it over the nut filling smoothing it out on the edges to match up the bottom piece. Brush the whole top surface with egg wash. Using a small sharp knife, score the surface of the pastry decoratively in a spiral pattern.

Bake for 15 minutes, then turn the oven down to 400°F (200°C) for 30 to 40 minutes more. Ten minutes before the cake is done, sprinkle it with confectioners' sugar; then finish baking. Cut into wedges to serve.

Makes 8 servings.


Date: April 10, 2003