Fanouropita is a sweet cake recipe from Greek cuisine and is traditionally a Lenten cake, also called “The lost and found cake.” It is traditionally served in St Fanourios Memorial Day on 27 August.
Fanouropita is an oil-based and does not contain any butter or eggs so that it can be eaten on holy fasting days. Believers offer the cake expecting “revelations” on objects, people, or to find something they are looking for.
The cake itself is a perfect blend of orange, cinnamon and olive oil. A delicious creation, it is neither too sweet but may be doughy.
The cake is baked in a circular springform pan, and its name is derived from the patron saint of Rhodes.
It translates to “the one who discloses”, coming from the Greek verb “φαίνω”, and for this reason is the saint of lost things.
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The concept of baking a Fanouropita originated around 1500AD to venerate the icon of Saint Fanourios when it was discovered untouched between ruins in Rhodes or Cyprus. Since then, the Saint has been known as the patron saint of lost objects.
According to tradition, the cake is offered for the forgiveness of Saint Nefarious’ mother, a sinful woman who was cruel towards the poor.
RECIPE
Ingredients
Fanouropita traditionally consists of seven, nine, or eleven ingredients, the number varying by region. In its simplest version, propitiation has only seven ingredients. The essential, most common ingredients are: flour, vegetable oil, sugar, orange juice, baking powder, nuts, and raisins. Other ingredients may include cinnamon, cloves, soda, and water.
Method
Solid and liquid ingredients are together separately from one another. Afterwards, the two mixes are mixed in a round baking pan, which goes into the oven at about 170-180°C for about an hour. Once out of the oven it is left to cool down and then powdered with sifted sugar.