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Vasilopita –The Greek Lucky New Year’s Cake
5 from 30 votes

Vasilopita –The Greek Lucky New Year’s Cake

Vasilopita is a traditional Greek cake flavored with orange juice and zest, creamed butter, and sugar. This recipe includes a hidden coin for luck, baked inside a moist, dense cake made in a springform pan. The cake is topped with powdered sugar or decorated with nuts or icing. It’s typically served at New Year’s celebrations with a lucky charm for the person who receives the coin.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 16
Calories: 290 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek

Ingredients

  • 4 cups (480 g) flour
  • 2 tablespoons baking powder
  • 1 ¾ cup (350 g) sugar
  • 1 cup (227 g) butter softened
  • 1 ½ cup orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 egg
  • powdered sugar

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven at at about 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
  2. Line the base of a 9-10 inch springform pan with wax paper and grease the sides.(You can use an even wider pan for a thinner cake-it will take less time to bake)
  3. In a bowl mix the flour and baking powder and set aside.
  4. In a bowl, cream the sugar and butter.
  5. Add the orange juice, vanilla and orange zest- mix with a mixer about 2 minutes.
  6. Whip the eggs in a small bowl and add to the butter mixture and mix for another 2 minutes.
  7. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix for 2 minutes at low speed-do not over mix. If you are adding the coin in the batter, add it now.
  8. Pour batter (it will be thick) in the pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
  9. Bake for about 45-60 minutes. Check with a thin sharp knife in the center, it should come out clean. If not bake for additional time.
  10. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
  11. Release the pan and turn cake upside-down on another plate. If putting the coin in now, wrap in foil and push it through the cake. Turn cake back on top and sprinkle with powdered sugar, you can also even out the top of the cake slicing with a long knife.

Notes

  • Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to four days to keep it fresh.
  • Add a coin or lucky charm to the batter before baking to continue tradition.
  • Decorate with almonds, raisins, or icing made from powdered sugar and water for presentation.

Nutrition Information

Serving 11/16 of thecake Calories 290kcal (15%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 290

% Daily Value*

Serving 11/16 of thecake
Calories 290kcal 15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.