καλή χρονιά σε όλους!!

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 (Βασιλόπιτα)

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

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound butter
• 2 cups of organic sugar
• 6 teaspoons baking powder
• 4 cups flour
• 3 eggs
• zest of 1 orange & 1 mandarin
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 vanilla bean- scraped

Directions:

1. Butter the bottom of a 12 x 3 inch round cake pan.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (180 C.) 
3. Melt the butter and beat on medium high until the butter is light in color.
4. Set butter aside.
5. Beat eggs until light in color for 4 minutes.
6. Add sugar and continuing beating until light and fluffy.
7. On medium low speed, add milk, vanilla bean, baking powder, orange zest, and mandarin zest.
8. On low speed, add the flour and cooled butter.
9. Be cautious to not over beat.
10. Place a coin wrapped in wax paper in the bottom of the cake pan.
11. Pour batter into pan.
12. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees (180 C.) 
13. Bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown.
14. Test with a toothpick to make sure it is done.
15. Cool on a cooling rack.
16. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, and decorate with almonds, pistachios or walnuts.

Kali Orexi & Happy New Year!