Vasilopita
New Year’s Cake
By: Eleni Saltas
When the clock strikes 12:01 into the New Year or any time on New Year’s Day, many Greeks will slice into a vasilopita, a New Year’s cake made with the typical fixings of a cake (flour, sugar, eggs), and spiced with orange juice or the baker’s choice of add ins (raisins, walnuts, mastiha are all common). A layer of powdered sugar dusts the top of the cake once cooled. Traditionally, a coin is inserted into the cake either before or after baking. When it comes time to serve, the fortunate individual who finds a coin in their slice (careful when eating!), will have luck for the rest of the year. Happy New Year! καλή χρόνια
Prep Time:
5 min
Total Time:
60 min
Servings:
2 cakes
Good For:
Dessert/New Year’s
Ingredients
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
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½ cup oil (extra virgin or vegetable oil)
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1 ½ cups sugar
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3 eggs
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1 ½ cups orange juice (preferably fresh if available)
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Zest of one orange
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour
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1 tablespoon baking powder
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1 teaspoon nutmeg
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½ teaspoon salt
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Powdered sugar, for dusting
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350F (177C). Grease two 9 inch round cake pans, or one large 12 inch springform cake pan. You can also line the pans with wax or parchment paper.
Step 2
In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter, oil, and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs in one at a time and mix together. Then, mix in the orange juice, orange zest and vanilla.
Step 3
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Slowly incorporate flour into the wet ingredients with mixer on a low speed. Use a spatula if necessary, so you are careful not to over mix. The dough should be smooth and not too sticky. If adding a coin for New Year’s, wrap a coin in aluminum foil and mix it into the batter.
Step 4
Pour batter into pre greased pans. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a thin knife or toothpick inserted comes out clean and the cake is springy to the touch.
Step 5
Allow cake to cool at least 10 minutes before removing it from the pan. Dust the top with powdered sugar. If preferred, add a design or number of the year by using stencils or paper cut outs. You can even decorate the cake with pomegranates, sliced almonds, or frosting.
I have a family member who does not like nutmeg, what could I substitute or can I leave it out all together?
You can leave It out or I think ground cloves would be a great addition instead!
I made this last year for the 1st time. It was a hit. I actually kept some batter and mixed it with cocoa. I then made it into a marble cake. Will be making it again this year! Thanks for all your great recipes!
Oh my goodness this makes me so happy, thank you! That sounds amazing with the cocoa. I’m going to try that myself 🙂
I’m such a huge fan of this recipe! I made it last year and it was total hit. Thank you for sharing!
Oh my goodness thank you so so much for trusting me with such a special recipe! Happy 2022!
Hi there apologies but step 1 confuses me. There’s no honey in the ingredients or water. Does the syrup get added later or???
I would love to try this recipe. Thank you
oh my goodness! I edited my website and 2 recipes merged here! fixed now. no syrup!
Hi Eleni, can u please confirm cake tin size? And also there are no measurements for the syrup and where does it go?
AHHH! I was editing my website and somehow 2 recipes merged. All fixed now–no syrup! I use two 9 inch round cake pans or one 12 inch springform cake pan. Thank you!
This is a very silly question, but what coin do you put in there? Is there a special baking one? Lol
not silly at all! I like to use a gold coin, and usually use a 1 euro coin!
If we wanted to make 1 pan, can we half the ingredients?
yes! or use a 12-13 inch pan. either way!
I made this Vasilopita this year and it was great!!!!!! This will be a keeper!
yay that makes me so happy! you’re so welcome. happy 2024!
Eleni,
This year I used your recipes for melomakarona, kourabedies and the cake vasilopita. The cookies were a big hit. So delicious and moist. I have been trying for years to get them just right and this yer I did. I will let you know about the vasilopita when we cut it.
Καλή χρονιά
Matty
Thank you SO MUCH this makes me so happy to hear. I hope the cake was wonderful!