Hi!
I'm from the east of France and here, it's the traditionnal cake for (I don't know how to say this day in english...) the day when the "Magus kings" come to see and give presents to Jesus.
The tradition wants that we put a "bean" (now it's more a little caracter in ceramic we still name bean...) in the frangipane (yes, in french, there is no "ch" and you prounonce that more as a "j").
When it's cooked, and not too warm, we cut it, and the youngest go under the table to say who wil have the next part of pie. The one who's got the bean is the King (or Queen) and has to pick up a Queen (or a King). So they've got a golden paper crown on the head for as long as they can bear it!!!
We call this cake "Galette des Rois". "Rois" for Kings and "galette" because it looks like a pebble (galet)...
And for those who can't stand almond pouder (how can they??!!!) we sometimes put some apple compote instead of frangipane...
It's not fat free, but it's really goooooood!!!!!!
charlotte | 04.18.09 - 3:59 am | #

Dear Charlotte, the day is called "Three Kings' Day" or "Epiphany" in English. The delightful tradition you described lives on in New Orleans, where the "Galette des Rois" is simply called a "King Cake". Nowadays it's also associated with Mardi Gras -- finding the bean in your piece of cake means you are the "king" or "queen" of the party and must choose a consort for yourself, whereupon the two of you reign over the festivities as King and Queen of Misrule.
Mary in LA | 04.18.09 - 10:40 pm | #

OMG!! Delicious!
kathie | Homepage | 05.07.09 - 2:22 pm | #