Vasilopita – New Year’s Cake Recipe

Introduction

Vasilopita is a traditional Greek New Year’s cake, celebrated for its fragrant spices and tender crumb. This special cake often hides a coin inside, bringing good luck to the person who finds it. Enjoy a slice to welcome a joyful year ahead!

Ingredients

• 150 g Butter (⅔ cup), melted
• 300 ml Sugar (1½ cups + 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 Wheat flour, plain (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) springform cake tin and coat it with bread crumbs.
4. Step 4: Beat the eggs with the sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light.
5. Step 5: Add the buttermilk (or sour milk), melted butter, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and the flour mixed with baking powder to the egg mixture.
6. Step 6: Stir the batter gently until well combined and smooth.
7. Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin.
8. Step 8: Bake the cake for 45-50 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a long wooden skewer or toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
9. Step 9: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely.
10. Step 10: Wrap a small coin in aluminum foil and insert it into the top side of the cooled cake.
11. Step 11: Turn the cake upside down and decorate with powdered sugar or icing glaze. Write “New Year” or a celebratory message on top if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer flavor, try adding a splash of orange or lemon zest to the batter.
• If you prefer less spice, adjust the amounts of ginger, cloves, and cinnamon to your taste.
• Use sour milk as a substitute for buttermilk if you don’t have buttermilk on hand.
• Make sure to properly wrap the coin to keep it food-safe and hygienic.

Storage

Store the Vasilopita covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Before serving, allow it to come to room temperature. Reheat gently in a low oven if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Regular milk can be used, but the cake may be less tender and slightly less tangy. To mimic buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

What is the significance of the coin in Vasilopita?

The coin symbolizes good luck and blessings for the new year. Traditionally, the person who finds the coin in their slice is said to have good fortune throughout the year.

Vasilopita – New Year’s Cake Recipe

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Vasilopita is a traditional Greek New Year’s cake flavored with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. This moist and aromatic cake is baked in a spring-form tin and often includes a hidden coin, symbolizing good luck for the year ahead. It is decorated with powdered sugar or icing and traditionally served to celebrate the new year.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 10 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Greek
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet 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

Dry Ingredients

• 3 tsp Ginger powder
• 3 tsp Cloves powder
• 4 tsp Cinnamon
• 270 g Wheat Flour plain (2 cups)
• 3 tsp Baking powder

Instructions

1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) to prepare for baking the cake.
2. Melt Butter: Melt the butter in a saucepan and allow it to cool completely to avoid cooking the eggs when combined.
3. Prepare Tin: Grease a 25 cm (10 in) spring-form cake tin and coat it evenly with bread crumbs to prevent sticking.
4. Beat Eggs and Sugar: Using a mixer or whisk, beat the eggs together with the sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and light in color.
5. Add Wet and Dry Ingredients: Incorporate the buttermilk (or sour milk), cooled melted butter, and spices (ginger, cloves, cinnamon) into the beaten eggs and sugar. Then gently fold in the flour combined with baking powder.
6. Mix Batter: Stir the batter thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and smooth.
7. Pour Batter: Pour the prepared batter into the greased and bread-crumb coated spring-form cake tin, spreading it evenly.
8. Bake: Place the tin in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes until the cake is golden and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Test Doneness: Use a long wooden skewer or toothpick to check doneness—if it comes out clean, the cake is ready; otherwise, bake a few more minutes.
10. Cool: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the tin to set.
11. Insert Coin: Wrap a coin securely in aluminum foil and carefully insert it on the top side of the cooled cake as a traditional good luck charm.
12. Decorate: Turn the cake upside down, then decorate the surface with powdered sugar or icing glaze. Optionally, write a New Year message on top for celebration.

Notes

• Ensure the butter is fully cooled before adding to prevent curdling the batter.
• You can substitute sour milk with buttermilk for a similar tangy flavor.
• Greasing and coating the cake tin with bread crumbs helps in easy removal of the cake.
• The coin included in the cake is a traditional element symbolizing luck and prosperity—ensure it is well wrapped.
• Allow the cake to cool completely before decorating to ensure icing or powdered sugar adheres properly.
• If desired, you can add a dusting of ground nuts or dried fruits for texture.

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