~Vasilopita Recipe~ Happy New Year

Happy New Year to family and friends. I was at it again in the kitchen and I would love to share an important and special recipe with you all.

History Of Vasilopita

Vasilopita

Vasilopita is a New Year’s Day bread or cake in Greece. The cake contains a hidden coin or trinket which gives good luck to the receiver.

The Ritual

On New Year’s Day families cut the Vasilopita to bless the house and bring good luck for the new year. At midnight the sign of the cross is etched with a knife across the cake. A piece of cake is sliced for each member of the family and any visitors present at the time, by order of age from eldest to the youngest.

Vasilopita Recipe

Tips for making the perfect vasilopita:

• All ingredients should be at room temperature
• The egg whites must be folded in the mix and not stirred in
• Adding toasted walnuts or almonds is a nice addition to this cake
• You can add any zest you like from lemon, orange, mandarin, and more
• Do not forget to add the lucky coin
• We have a variety of vasilopita recipes on our blog. This specific one involves separating the eggs.

Vasilopita Recipe

Servings: 6-8 

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks of unsalted butter= 1 cup
• 1 1/2 cups of organic sugar
• 5 eggs separated, room temperature
• 4 cups of all-purpose flour
•  2 pinches of sea salt finely grind ( divide into two parts)
• 1.5 tablespoons of baking powder
• 1 orange, reserve the zest and juice
• 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt
• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon powder
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract or powder

• Lucky coin wrapped in foil
• 1 cup of confectioner sugar for the dusting
• 2026 stencil for your cake (make sure it is the right size for your cake)
• Large springform pan lightly greased and lined with parchment paper

Method:

1. Add the butter and sugar to the mixing bowl and beat on medium-high until creamy.  Make sure the butter mixture is fully incorporated by using a spatula.  Add the vanilla, orange zest, and orange juice & mix until combined.
2.  Add the egg yolks and combine. While you are waiting for the mixture to be nice and fluffy place flour, baking powder, and the first part of the salt in a bowl.
3. Sift the flour and baking powder together then add the first half of the flour to the mixing bowl while the mixer is on low.
4. Add the yogurt to the mixer, and mix on low speed. Then add the rest of your flour mixture. Add the cinnamon and mix to combine. Do not over-mix!
5. Place batter in a large bowl and set aside. Prepare the egg whites. Beat the egg whites with the last part of the salt until medium peaks form.
6. Wrap the lucky coin in foil and then toss it inside your cake batter once it is done. ** I do this at the end when the batter is ready in the pan.
7. Gently fold the egg whites in the batter. Do not stir, make sure to fold.
8. Make sure the springform pan is lightly greased. You can most certainly line the pan with parchment paper if you like. Don’t forget to add the LUCKY coin. 
9. Place springform pan on a baking sheet and place in oven. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Your cake is ready when you test the middle with a toothpick and it comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool.
10. Dust with powdered sugar. I made my stencil by printing out a 2026 cutout.

Kali Xronia! Happy New Year!

Try out our other Vasilopita recipes.

Vasilopita with a Twist – Greek New Year’s Cake

Aromatic Rosemary Chocolate Chip Vasilopita Recipe

Aromatic Vasilopita Cupcakes