Seasonal Desserts

Today marks the end of the holiday season, which began a month ago.  We know this because the beginning and end are celebrated with seasonal desserts.

One month ago, on December 6, the visit of Saint Nicholas was celebrated.  Bad children received a stick, while good children received a treat.  In France, a typical treat is a gingerbread pastry that resembles Saint Nicholas, like the one pictured below that Marie-Chantal received.  (Jean-Claude is still wondering why he received a stick.)  

Today, January 6, celebrates the arrival of the Magi or the Three Kings.  The day is also known as Epiphany and occurs the day after Twelfth Night, the 12th day of Christmas.  The day is celebrated with another traditional pastry, Galette des rois, or Kings' cake (pictured below).  

The pastry is light and crispy and sometimes filled with cream, fruit or chocolate.  What makes Galette des rois special is what is found inside, aside from the filling.  If you have the good fortune to find the baby Jesus, then you are crowned King or Queen for a day and you select a co-monarch.

Galette des rois with Nutella

King for a day

Galette des rois is a longstanding, hard-to-kill tradition in France, based in part on Greek and Roman traditions.  During the French Revolution, there was a failed movement to ban the Galette des rois.  Since the French love pastry and tradition, the Galette des rois was not banned, although its name was temporarily changed (galette de l'Égalité).   

As you might have guessed, French emigrants brought the Galette des rios tradition to the United States, where King Cake is served during the Mardi Gras celebration, especially in New Orleans.

Thanks for sharing some seasonal desserts with us.