Almond, Vanilla & Praline Spéculoos: Matthieu Carlin's 2026 Kings' Cake at the Hôtel de Crillon

For Epiphany 2026, the Hôtel de Crillon reveals an elegant and delicately crafted galette, designed by pastry chef Matthieu Carlin in collaboration with fine jewelry house Christofle, at their Butterfly pastry shop. This indulgent and nostalgic treat combines the flavors of almond, vanilla, and praline spiced with a touch of speculoos.

After the holiday festivities, it's time to kick off 2026 with another deliciously festive event—one that embraces sharing and delights sweet tooths alike: the arrival of Epiphany and its legendary King Cake. To mark the occasion, Paris'ś top bakeries and pastry shops are revealing their own take on this traditional treat. While some seek out the classic almond-filled galette, others are venturing off the beaten path to discover inventive recipes that will surprise friends and family. Luckily, across Paris and throughout Île-de-France, a talented community of pastry chefs and bakers continuously offers up mouthwatering creations, ensuring everyone can find their perfect slice to enjoy during this festive season.

The luxury hotels are also joining in the fun, and at the Hôtel de Crillon, the iconic palace on Place de la Concorde, a remarkable galette has been crafted to once again elevate this timeless Epiphany treat. Matthieu Carlin, the hotel's pastry chef, renowned for his pairings of subtle sweetness and preservation of natural flavors, has designed an innovative version this year — indulgent, comforting, with a nostalgic touch that will delight traditionalists who love frangipane, while adding his signature twist to make it truly unique!

King Cake, created in collaboration with Christofle, the historic supplier of Hôtel de Crillon, brings together two iconic brands—true ambassadors of the French art of living. For this special occasion, the fève and the crown have been meticulously designed by Christofle, while the cake itself is adorned with the Malmaison Imperial motif from the silversmith house. Beneath this elegant decoration, the caramelized, crispy puff pastry gradually reveals a soft, childhood-evoking frangipane, delicately flavored with Madagascar vanilla. A delightful way to satisfy both traditionalists, loyal to classic almond frangipane, and those craving a creative twist on the traditional treat.

And that’s not all! Chef Matthieu Carlin has a knack for imprinting a childhood touch into every creation, with a hint of nostalgia. This is perfectly showcased in the almond and speculoos praline jar that accompanies the elegant Epiphany cake. Its creamy texture makes it easy to spread over your slice, allowing everyone to enjoy their cake in their own way. Pure comfort, a dash of zest, and sweetness—everything you could want is there.

Through this galette, pastry chef Matthieu Carlin once again rises to the occasion by offering an original recipe that delights both young and old, making it a true intergenerational creation. Priced at €70 for a serving of 6 to 8 people, including a jar of praline, this special treat is available for pre-order starting Monday, December 8, via the Butterfly Pâtisserie online shop. Customers can pick up their orders through click & collect at the Butterfly Pâtisserie from Thursday, January 1, to Saturday, January 31, 2026.

In fact, if you want to try it before committing to the larger size, know that at the Butterfly Tea Room you can sample a slice of the Crillon Hotel’s galette throughout January.

Butterfly: Matthieu Carlin's pastry shop at the Hôtel de Crillon with a 15€ snack formula
Calling all sweet tooths! In Paris, Matthieu Carlin, the pastry chef of the Hôtel de Crillon, unveils his pastry shop in the heart of the mythical palace since April 4th 2023. On the program, a gourmet and affordable spot where you will be able to taste the chef's creations on the spot or to take away. Welcome to Butterfly Pâtisserie. [Read more]