Vasilopita (Greek New Years Cake)

This sassy, citrusy vasilopita cake recipe is a delicious Greek New Year’s Cake. The butter and olive oil combination in the batter gives you a perfectly moist, soft cake (that never goes stale!) texture. 

The fun bit about this Greek vasilopita recipe is that you hide the coin in the batter, and then everyone waits to see who has the coin in their slice. The person who is lucky enough to find the coin is said to have good luck for the year!

If you are in the mood for trying out new cake recipes, you have got to check these out: Politiko Thessalonikis (Greek semolina cake with custard cream) and my recipe for Sokolatopita (Greek chocolate cake).

What is vasilopita cake?

Vasilopita, a much-loved Greek New Year's tradition, is a delectable cake rich in flavour and history. It boasts a moist, buttery texture infused with orange or lemon flavour.

The first thing anyone will tell you about this cake is that it is baked with a  hidden coin or trinket, symbolizing luck and prosperity. This luck is reserved for the lucky recipient, of course!

Each slice is sprinkled with powdered sugar or almonds and represents a hopeful start to the year ahead. 

Families gather on January 1st and wait for the ceremonial cutting of the cake, to celebrate Saint Basil. Blessings are showered on whoever finds the lucky coin!

Watch the short video tutorial

Why you’ll love Greek New Year’s cake

• Tradition and celebration: It is deeply rooted in Greek culture and is a symbol of New Year's traditions –  bringing families and friends together to celebrate the coming of a new year.
• Delicious flavour: The cake's rich, buttery taste infused with orange is absolutely incredible, guys; you’ve got to try it!
• A fun surprise: The hidden coin or trinket inside the cake adds an element of excitement. It also symbolizes luck and prosperity for the finder.
• Easy to make: This is a super simple cake to make – you can whip the batter up in minutes! It’s a great recipe to start with if you are new to baking. 

Variations of vasilopita

• Flavour infusions: This traditional recipe sometimes includes citrus zest for flavour (like with my version). Some variations incorporate other ingredients like vanilla, cinnamon, or mastiha (a resin obtained from the mastic tree) to add unique taste and flavour.
• Nut and spice additions: Try adding in some nuts for a toasty flavour - almonds, walnuts, or other nuts can be folded into the batter for added texture and taste. Another great idea is to mix in spices like cloves or nutmeg. 
• Alternate shapes and sizes: While the classic round shape is the most common, you could try baking Vasilopita in different shapes like rectangles or squares. Smaller versions, such as individual-sized cupcakes or muffins, can also be made up.
• Glazes and toppings: Variations in toppings can include a glaze made from honey, sugar syrup, or a dusting of powdered sugar. You can try garnishing the cake with slivered almonds, candied fruits, or a decorative pattern.
• Ingredient substitutions: If you have specific dietary preferences or restrictions you need to cater to, try using alternative ingredients like gluten-free flour, vegan butter, or sugar substitutes. If you use good quality alternative ingredients, you won’t compromise the quality and result. 

How to serve you Greek New Year’s cake

To serve your cake, you want to make sure it has cooled completely first. If stored in the refrigerator or freezer, let it come to room temperature.

To serve it traditionally, gather family or guests around the table. The head of the household typically performs the ceremonial cutting of the vasilopita. 

Using a knife, make the first cut, while saying a New Year's blessing or a wish for good fortune.

As slices are distributed, the person who finds the coin or token in their portion is believed to receive good luck and blessings for the coming year.

Serve the slices on plates, and guests or family members enjoy the Vasilopita together! 

This cake can be served any time of the year of course - not just at New Year’s. It’s great with a dollop of fresh cream, crème fraiche, thick Greek yogurt or even some ice cream.

How to store your vasilopita cake

Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature before storing it. Placing it in the refrigerator while still warm can create condensation, affecting its texture and turning it soggy, yikes!

Once cooled, tightly wrap the vasilopita in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent exposure to air, which can dry it out.

You can also just place the wrapped cake in an airtight container to protect it from drying out and absorbing odours from the fridge.

Store the wrapped vasilopita in the refrigerator. It can typically last for several days, maintaining its taste and texture.

To store it for longer periods, you can also go about freezing slices or the entire cake. Wrap it securely in plastic wrap, place it in an airtight container, or use freezer bags to prevent freezer burn. Label and date the container for easy identification.

When ready to enjoy, thaw frozen vasilopita slices in the refrigerator overnight. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving to regain its optimal taste and texture.

FAQs about vasilopita

Below are some questions you may have

How is the coin added to vasilopita?

Before baking, a clean coin, often a silver or gold coin or a wrapped trinket, is inserted into the batter. It's important to ensure the coin is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before adding it to the cake.

Is vasilopita cake similar to other cakes?

It's similar to a sweet bread or a rich pound cake in texture and flavour but is distinct due to its association with New Year's traditions and the hidden coin.

Can I use any coin for vasilopita?

It's best to use a clean and sanitized coin, traditionally a silver or gold coin, to ensure safety. Ensure the coin is large enough to avoid accidental swallowing. Also, let your guests know they must watch for a coin!

Can Vasilopita be made in advance?

Yes, Vasilopita can be made a day in advance. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature. Some people believe it tastes better the next day as the flavours meld together.

📖 Recipe

Vasilopita (Greek New Years Cake)

Experience the joy of Greek New Year's with this Vasilopita recipe! Indulge in a delightful cake tradition featuring rich flavours and optional festive toppings.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Greek

Servings 10

Calories 546 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 125 grams butter (unsalted)(room temperature)
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup olive oil
• 50 ml brandy
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• ½ cup Greek yoghurt
• 2 oranges (zest from both + 1 cup juice)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt (pinch of salt)
• 3 cup self raising flour

Decoration ingredients (optional)

• ½ cup icing sugar
• 2 dehydrated orange slices

Makes: 26cm0 x 0cm round

Instructions

 

• Mix the butter and sugar together until fluffy and creamy.
• Whilst still mixing on a lower speed, add in the eggs, olive oil, brandy, vanilla, and yoghurt.
• Preheat the oven to 170°.
• Grate the zest of two oranges and juice 1 cup of juice (roughly 2 large oranges).
• Add in the orange juice and mix.
• Then add in the orange zest, baking powder, and two cups of flour (to start) and mix.
• Add a pinch of salt.
• Then add in another cup of flour and mix until you get a nice batter consistency (so add more if needed and I say this, because different flours react differently).
• Grease/line your cake tin and pour the batter in.
• Tap your tin on the bench just to ensure the batter has no air pockets and is evenly distributed.
• Get your lucky vasilopita coin and wrap it with foil, then close your eyes and place the coin randomly. NOTE : Ensure the coin is large enough to avoid accidental swallowing. Also, let your guests know they must watch for a coin!
• Place into the oven and bake for roughly 45 minutes but keep your eye on it between 35 minutes on, so it doesn’t burn.
• Once cooked, take out of the oven, and set aside to cool down, then transfer to a wired tray.
• Once cooled, decorate to your desire. I have used icing sugar and dried oranges for this recipe. But you can decorate with anything you like – slithered/sliced almonds, icing sugar, pomegranate, orange slices etc..

Video

Notes

NOTE : Ensure the coin is large enough to avoid accidental swallowing. Also, let your guests know they must watch for a coin!

Nutrition

Calories: 546kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 8gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 212mgPotassium: 118mgFiber: 2gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 480IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 1mg

Keyword cake, greek new years cake, vasilopita

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