A staple for transitioning into the new year for Greeks around the world is a celebratory first day of the year cake, known as ‘vasilopita’.

The cake gets its name from St. Basil (Vasileios), who, for the Greek Orthodox is the equivalent of Santa Claus.

In the cake, a coin is randomly hidden before the batter is baked and whoever finds it in the piece is blessed with good health and luck.

Households prepare the cake on the last the eve of the year and once the clock turns midnight, the cake is cut into pieces, one for each member of the household, guests included.

It is customary to also allocate pieces to St Basil, Jesus, Mary and often saints that the family considers its protectors.

Whether you delve into the religious nature of tradition or simply see sharing a vasilopita with friends and family as a way of coming together in the first minutes of the new year, here is one of our favourite recipes that will make these festive moments more special.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, (save some to oil the pan with)
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, (set some aside to dust the pan with before pouring the batter in)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 6 large eggs
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons brandy
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1½ teaspoons finely grated orange zest
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • Cacao powder for decorating, coconut flakes & icing sugar, for serving (optional)

Method:

  • Turn on the oven to 180°C on fan or double resistance (top & bottom).
  • Butter and then sprinkle with flour a 10-inch round cake pan, then line the bottom with parchment.
  • You can either use an electric mixer on high speed if you have one or use a beater to hand beat the butter with the granulated sugar for 10 or 15 minutes respectively. Make sure that the butter is in room temperature and soft before mixing it to avoid clumping. Beat until the mix looks soft and fluffy and looks paler than the butter in colour.
  • Lowering the speed by a little start adding the eggs one at a time so that the batter rises. Make sure each egg is fully incorporating into the mixture before adding the next.
  • Once you are done with the eggs add the brandy and vanilla followed by the orange zest and lemon zest until everything is combined.
  • In a separate bowl stir the flour and baking powder to combine.
  • Start poring in the orange juice with mixing the original batter slowly taking breaks to also add the flour mixture gradually.
  • Once the batter feels homogenised pour it in the pan.
  • Wrap a coin in foil and drop it into the batter making sure the top of the pan is smoothed out with a spatula before you bake it.
  • Bake for 60 minutes. Stick a toothpick or tester through the body of the cake to see if it comes out clean. Let the vasilopita cool in the pan for 10 minutes and transfer onto a wire rack or plater.
  • Dust with the cacao and garnish with the icing sugar and/or coconut flakes on top before serving (optional).

Enjoy!