La Galette des Rois (King's Cake)

• 1¼ pounds puff pastry (available in the frozen foods section of the supermarket)
• 1 dry bean (such as a dried kidney bean or navy bean)
• 2 eggs
• 7 ounces almond paste
• Paper crown for decoration

Procedure

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Grease a cookie sheet.
3. Roll out pastry an 8-inch round.
4. Mix 1 egg with the almond paste until smooth and spread evenly onto the pastry.
5. Place the bean anywhere on the filling.
6. Roll out another 8-inch piece of pastry and place it over the almond filling. Press the edges together firmly to seal. Score the top layer lightly with a sharp knife.
7. Beat the other egg lightly and gently brush over the top layer.
8. Bake for 20 minutes. Lower the heat to 400°F, and bake for another 25 minutes.
9. Serve warm, with the crown on top.

Serves 8. The person who finds the bean is designated as the queen or king.

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