Dreikinneksdag and its delicious king cake

On January 6 in Luxembourg, people celebrate Dräikinneksdag, or Three Kings Day. This traditional religious holiday marks the celebration of the baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men. But food lovers also look forward to Epiphany and its traditional galette des rois, or Dräikinnekskuch in Luxembourg.

The origins of Dräikinneksdag in Luxembourg

Epiphany comes from the Greek word Epiphaneia, which means "manifestation." It marks the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah by the Three Wise Men. The Christian holiday of Epiphany takes place every year after Christmas, on January 6. In Christian tradition, the Three Wise Men, guided by a star from Europe, Asia, and Africa, set out to find the newborn baby. They honored his birth in a stable in Bethlehem. These Magi, named Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, offered the Son of God precious gifts: frankincense, myrrh, and gold. In Christian tradition, Epiphany is also an occasion to celebrate light and divine revelation. Unlike in other European countries, Epiphany is not a public holiday in Luxembourg.

The traditional Luxembourgish king cake, the Dräikinnekskuch

While Epiphany remains rooted in religious and festive traditions, it has also evolved. It has become more of a family celebration, centered around sharing the cake. Traditionally, on January 6, Dräikinneksdag, a special cake called Dräikinnekskuch is eaten in Luxembourg. The tradition involves "pulling the kings."

The origins of Dräikinnekskuch in Luxembourg

The Dräikinnekskuch or Three Kings' Cake is thought to have pagan origins. Its round shape and golden color celebrate the return of light after the winter period. This is the time when the days start to get longer again in Luxembourg, after the winter solstice at the end of December.

What is the galette or king cake that we eat on Epiphany?

The galette des rois is a cake made from puff pastry and frangipane, a kind of almond paste cream. The galette contains a hidden bean inside. Originally, the bean was made from the vegetable of the same name. Today, a ceramic figurine replaces the vegetable. There are all kinds of beans. According to pastry chefs, each one represents a specific character or object. Some even put a coin inside their cake. The beans are a delight for bean collectors. The cake can be homemade or bought in bakeries or supermarkets in Luxembourg. It is available from the end of December.

How do you celebrate Three Kings' Day on January 6, Epiphany?

On Dräikinneksdag on January 6, in Luxembourg, people "draw the kings" with family or friends. To do this, the galette des rois is presented at the end of the meal as a dessert, accompanied by a golden cardboard crown. During the tasting, the youngest guest goes under the table. They randomly assign pieces of the cake to the people around the table. The person who finds the bean in their piece of cake is entitled to the crown. They thus become the king or queen for the day. They choose their king or queen to accompany them. Are you a food lover? Remember to make pancakes on Candlemas Day and treat yourself to carnival doughnuts!

January 6 traditions of foreign communities in Luxembourg

In some countries, Epiphany is also an opportunity to perpetuate the values of generosity and solidarity. The Portuguese community, which is well represented in Luxembourg, traditionally sings the "Cantar os Reis" on the eve or day of Epiphany. They enjoy Bolo Rei (King's Cake), a crown-shaped cake that is often found in Luxembourg supermarkets. Made from leavened dough, it is filled with dried and candied fruit and has a moist texture. A simpler version is Bolo Rainha (Queen's Cake), which does not contain candied fruit. In Spain, January 6 is "Día de los Reyes" (Three Kings Day). People enjoy Roscón de Reyes, a ring-shaped brioche, also filled with beans. This is an opportunity for children to receive gifts, symbolically brought by the Three Wise Men. It should be noted that children in Luxembourg receive their gifts on Saint Nicholas Day , December 6. For Italians, the holiday is marked by the legend of La Befana. This old woman brings gifts to good children and coal to those who have been naughty. This tradition is particularly popular with children. In Germany and Austria, children take part in a tradition called Sternsingen ("singing under the star"). They go from house to house, dressed as the Three Wise Men, singing carols and collecting donations for charity. This tradition is similar to the Luxembourgish tradition of Liichtsmessdag on Candlemas Day. Mexicans also eat Rosca de Reyes, a decorated brioche. Whoever finds a figurine of the baby Jesus in their piece must organize a party for Candlemas (February 2).

Our simple recipe for galette des rois to celebrate Epiphany

Ingredients for a delicious galette des rois

• 2 rolls of puff pastry
• 140 grams of ground almonds
• 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk to color the dough
• 80 grams of sugar
• 75 grams of softened butter
• 1 bean

Recipe for homemade galette des rois

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees (thermostat 6-7) Place the first roll of puff pastry on a baking sheet. For the frangipane, mix the ground almonds, 2 eggs, butter, and sugar in a suitable container using an electric mixer. Spread the mixture over the pastry, leaving a border of about 2 cm around the edge. Hide the charm in the mixture. Cover with the second sheet of puff pastry. Seal the edges of the two sheets of pastry with water. Make pretty designs on the top. Bake in the hot oven for 20 to 30 minutes until the galette is golden brown. Remove from the oven, leave to cool and enjoy cold. Bon appétit! A lighter version can be made by replacing the frangipane with apple or fruit compote. Those with a sweet tooth can mix chocolate into the frangipane. Find out more about other culinary traditions (and other traditions) in Luxembourg here. Are you a food lover or fond of local traditions? Candlemas on February 2 has its own Luxembourgish version: Liichtsmessdag.