Vasilopita – New Year’s Cake Recipe

Introduction

Vasilopita is a traditional New Year’s cake celebrated in Greek culture, rich with warm spices and a special hidden coin inside for good luck. This moist and fragrant cake is perfect for sharing with family and friends as you welcome the new year.

Ingredients

• 150 g Butter (⅔ Cup), melted
• 300 ml Sugar (1½ cup + 2 tbsp)
• 3 Eggs
• 275 ml Buttermilk (1 cup + 1 tbsp) or sour milk
• 3 tsp Ginger powder
• 3 tsp Cloves powder
• 4 tsp Cinnamon
• 270 g Plain wheat flour (2 cups)
• 3 tsp Baking powder

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F).
2. Step 2: Melt the butter in a saucepan and let it cool down.
3. Step 3: Grease a 25 cm (10 in) spring-form cake tin and coat it with bread crumbs.
4. Step 4: Beat the eggs with the sugar until fluffy and light.
5. Step 5: Add the buttermilk (or sour milk), melted butter, spices (ginger, cloves, cinnamon), and the flour mixed with baking powder to the egg mixture.
6. Step 6: Stir the batter until well combined.
7. Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared spring-form cake tin.
8. Step 8: Bake for 45-50 minutes.
9. Step 9: Test the cake for doneness by inserting a long wooden skewer or toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready; otherwise, bake a little longer.
10. Step 10: Let the cake cool completely.
11. Step 11: Wrap a coin in aluminum foil and insert it on the top side of the cake.
12. Step 12: Turn the cake upside down and decorate with powdered sugar or icing glaze, writing the new year on top.

Tips & Variations

• Make sure to wrap the coin securely in foil to avoid any contact with the cake batter.
• For a citrus twist, add some grated orange zest to the batter along with the spices.
• You can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar if needed.

Storage

Store Vasilopita covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. If refrigerated, let it come to room temperature before serving for best flavor. Leftover cake can be gently reheated in the microwave for a few seconds.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

What is the significance of the hidden coin in Vasilopita?

The coin symbolizes good luck and blessings for the person who finds it in their slice, marking a prosperous year ahead.

Can I use a regular cake pan instead of a spring-form pan?

Yes, you can use a regular cake pan, but greasing it well and lining it with parchment paper is recommended to ensure easy removal.

Vasilopita – New Year’s Cake Recipe

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Vasilopita is a traditional Greek New Year’s cake spiced with warm ginger, cloves, and cinnamon, and baked to a moist, tender texture. This cake is uniquely special for the custom of hiding a coin inside for good luck in the coming year. With a buttery and lightly sweetened batter combined with buttermilk, Vasilopita offers a delicious festive treat to celebrate the New Year.

• Author: Zane
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• 150 g Butter (⅔ Cup), melted
• 3 Eggs
• 275 ml Buttermilk (1 cup + 1 tbsp) or sour milk

Dry Ingredients

• 300 ml Sugar (1½ cup + 2 tbsp)
• 3 tsp Ginger powder
• 3 tsp Cloves powder
• 4 tsp Cinnamon
• 270 g Wheat Flour plain (2 cups)
• 3 tsp Baking powder

Other

• Bread crumbs for coating the cake tin
• Powdered sugar or icing glace for decoration
• One small coin wrapped in aluminum foil

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 175°C (350°F) to preheat so it reaches the right temperature by the time the batter is ready.
2. Melt the butter: Melt the butter gently in a saucepan and then allow it to cool down before using it in the batter to avoid cooking the eggs.
3. Prepare the cake tin: Grease a 25 cm (10 inch) springform cake tin thoroughly, then coat it with bread crumbs to prevent sticking and add texture to the crust.
4. Beat eggs and sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and light, incorporating air for a soft cake texture.
5. Add remaining wet and dry ingredients: Slowly add the buttermilk or sour milk, the cooled melted butter, and the spice powders (ginger, cloves, cinnamon). Then fold in the wheat flour mixed with baking powder, stirring carefully to combine all ingredients into a smooth batter.
6. Pour the batter: Transfer the batter into the prepared springform cake tin, smoothing the surface evenly.
7. Bake the cake: Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. Check the cake’s doneness by inserting a long wooden skewer or toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, the cake is done. If not, bake a few minutes longer and test again.
8. Cool the cake: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the tin on a wire rack to avoid condensation making the cake soggy.
9. Insert the coin: Wrap a small coin in aluminum foil and insert it into the top side of the cooled cake, traditionally symbolizing good luck for whoever finds it in their slice.
10. Decorate: Carefully turn the cake upside down onto a serving plate. Decorate the top with powdered sugar or icing glace and write the New Year on it to celebrate the occasion.

Notes

• Make sure the melted butter has cooled before adding to avoid curdling the eggs.
• Insert the coin wrapped in foil carefully to ensure it doesn’t affect the cake’s texture.
• If you prefer, spice levels can be adjusted or substituted to taste.
• Using buttermilk is preferable for a tender crumb, but sour milk works as a substitute.
• Let the cake cool completely before decorating to prevent melting the powdered sugar or icing.

Keywords: Vasilopita, New Year’s cake, Greek dessert, traditional cake, holiday cake, spiced cake, festive dessert