A Cake with a Crown and a Story

Do you or your family make any special dishes for the holidays?

Whenever the holidays roll around, someone always asks me what dishes my family makes for the season. And while I love the usual spread of holiday favorites, one dessert has unexpectedly become part of my personal tradition. Galette des Rois. A French cake with a flaky golden crust, a rich almond filling, and a tiny charm hidden inside. It is sweet, buttery, beautifully simple, and it feels like a treat that carries a secret. Maybe that is why I love it. Anything with a hint of mystery has my full attention.

But beyond taste, this cake has a history that reaches back centuries. And somewhere between France, my own life, and the God who writes the most surprising stories, this royal little pastry found its way onto my holiday table.

The History Baked Into Every Slice

Galette des Rois, also known as the “King’s Cake,” has its roots in Epiphany, a Christian celebration honoring the visit of the Magi. The French began making this cake as early as the 14th century to mark the moment when wise men followed a star and found the Christ child. A small charm called a fève is baked into the center. Whoever finds it becomes the “king” or “queen” for the day.

There is something beautiful about that. A reminder that even in celebration, there is symbolism. There is story. As poet Mary Oliver said, “Attention is the beginning of devotion.” When you pay attention to food, culture, and the rituals handed down over generations, you discover how deeply God has woven meaning into ordinary things. Galette des Rois is not just dessert. It is a reminder that revelation still finds us when we follow light.

And sometimes God uses sweetness to remind a weary heart of joy. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The wise men followed a literal star. We follow the presence of God that still leads, still illuminates, still arrives right on time.

Why This Cake Matters To Me

I started making or buying Galette des Rois because of my love for all things French. The language, the architecture, the slow mornings, the markets, the feeling of wandering down ancient streets surrounded by history. France feels like a second home to my soul. Naturally, its food followed me home. But once this cake became part of my holidays, it started carrying deeper meaning.

The tradition of being “crowned” by finding the charm always makes me laugh. It reminds me that joy comes in unexpected forms. It reminds me that God sometimes speaks through the small moments, like breaking pastry with friends or cutting into something warm while everyone waits to see who gets the prize. Philosopher Simone Weil once wrote, “The light of heaven does not cease to shine because we do not see it.” The cake holds a symbol of hidden blessing, just as life holds grace we often miss.

And in this season of gratitude and reflection, I am reminded of Matthew 2:10 which says, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” Joy is not random. Joy is aligned. Joy is found when you follow what God is illuminating. Even if sometimes it is a flaky cake that leads the way.

Soul Insights

1. Traditions tell us who we are becoming.

When you choose a dish like Galette des Rois year after year, it shifts from something you eat to something you embody. It becomes part of your rhythm and reveals what you value. You begin to notice how God uses simple things to steady you. That is how traditions quietly shape identity and belonging.

2. History invites you into deeper gratitude.

Knowing where a dish comes from makes it taste different. The story enriches the experience. Food becomes a doorway to memory, culture, and faith. It reminds you that you are standing on centuries of meaning, not just a moment of appetite. God uses history to whisper perspective.

3. The hidden charm reflects the hidden blessings we often overlook.

The fève inside the pastry is a metaphor for the unexpected graces tucked into everyday life. You do not always see blessings coming. Sometimes they appear when you slice into ordinary routines. God loves surprising us. The charm is a reminder to stay open.

4. Joy can be playful without losing depth.

The act of finding a tiny figurine in a cake is funny, lighthearted, and delightful, yet deeply symbolic. That duality mirrors life. You can feel joy and meaning at the same time. You can laugh while also sensing God’s presence. Joy does not have to be solemn to be real.

5. Following light still matters.

The Magi followed a star and found Christ. We follow the Spirit and find clarity, hope, and purpose. Every tradition connected to Epiphany invites us to remember that revelation comes when we pay attention. Isaiah 60:1 reminds us, “Arise, shine, for your light has come.” Light always leads to something worth finding.

Final Thoughts

Holiday dishes are never just food. They are memory, culture, history, and divine reminders wrapped in flavor. Galette des Rois is that for me. A connection to France, a nod to spiritual history, and a quiet symbol of joy that still finds us when we follow the light. And maybe that is the real gift of any tradition. It anchors you while inviting you forward.

Your Turn

What dish carries meaning for you. What tradition reminds you of who you are and who God is shaping you to become. This season, let your table tell a story worth savoring.

By the way…

While you’re here, I’d love for you to explore my book 17 Syllables of Me and visit my website, SoulPath Insights.

Thank you for taking the time to read! 🤗

Soul Path Insights