Vasilopita (Greek New Year’s Eve cake)

By Ashley Jean March 18, 2023 27 mins read 145 Views

Vasilopita, a traditional Greek cake made with a coin and baked for New Year's Eve, is a traditional Greek dessert. This recipe contains vanilla, cinnamon, orange zest, and finely chopped hazelnuts.

Vasilopita and Fanouropita are the most well-known traditional Greek cakes. Fanouropita can be made to celebrate St. Fanourios Day, while Vasilopita can be made for New Years Eve.

There are many recipes for Greek Vasilopita, which is usually made for New Year’s Eve. In most cases it is either a cake or round sweet bread such as Tsoureki and challah. Traditional Vasilopita can also be found in other parts of Greece. It is a savory pie made with phyllo dough, minced meat filling and a similar recipe to this Greek minced-meat pie.

Although most recipes today are sweet, it is safe to say that Vasilopitas must have a hidden currency inside. It must be cut on New Years Eve just as the clock strikes 12.

Do You have a favorite Vasilopita Recipe? Or do you love to try new things every single year?

Vasilopita is my favorite holiday. I make cakes because they are easier and faster than sweet breads. These cake recipes often include aromatics closely linked to holidays like orange zest, cinnamon, cloves, and cloves. You can also add raisins or ground nuts to your brandy or cognac. In Greek tradition, nuts and raisins are associated with prosperity and abundance.

Apart from the one at the end, this is another favourite cake that I make as a Vasilopita. It has a fluffy vanilla buttercream and a soft, velvety crumb. The vanilla buttercream pairs well with all the other flavors.

This recipe uses a different method, which produces a fluffy and airy sponge cake. Use warm eggs to beat them until they triple in volume. This makes the cake light and fluffy.

Vasilopita Ingredients

You will need the following to make this Vasilopita:

Eggs
White sugar
All-purpose flour or cake flour
Hazelnuts (or any other nuts)
Baking powder
Butter
Milk
Vanilla extract
Orange zest (or lemon zest)
Ground cinnamon

Vasilopita

This recipe is either whipped eggs or hot milk cake. The eggs must be warm for this method. I take the eggs out of the refrigerator the day before and warm them up in a bowl filled with warm water. They can be broken up in a bowl with your mixer, and then heated over a bain-marie, stirring continuously.

These are the steps to follow for this method:

Whisk the eggs until they are frothy. Next, add the sugar. Continue beating the eggs until they triple in volume, and the mixture is thick enough to be used as a shaving foam.
Mix some flour with the nuts to finely grind them. Mix the remaining flour, baking powder, and salt together and then mix it well.
Combine the flour and whipped eggs. Fold gently with a spatula. The batter won't deflate if you fold carefully.
Add the butter to the batter:Mix the butter and milk in a separate bowl. (Just eyeball it) Next, combine the butter and milk with the flour mixture. Fold it gently using a spatula.
Make the cake and cool it on a rack.
Insert a coin into the Vasilopita, and then decorate it with icing sugar or any other ornaments.

img alt="Greek New Years Eve cake (Vasilopita), with icing sugar." class="wp-image-9041" decoding="async" height="1024" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" src="https://www.thehungrybites.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Vasilopita-3-683x1024.jpg" srcset="https://www.thehungrybites.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Vasilopita-3-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://www.thehungrybites.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Vasilopita-3-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.thehungrybites.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Vasilopita-3-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://www.thehungrybites.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Vasilopita-3-150x225.jpg 150w, https://www.thehungrybites.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Vasilopita-3.jpg 800w" width="683"/>

What's the purpose of Vasilopita,

Vasilopita, a Greek term that means "Basil-pie" (or "Vassilis cake"), refers to St. Basil is a saint that the Orthodox Church celebrates every year on January 1 . Vasilopita, which is served every year on New Year's Eve, gets cut at 24:00.

The token for Vasilopita

Vasilopita contains a lucky coin (it's called "flouri in Greek) and, according to tradition it is lucky every year. It can be any coin, from a penny up to a Sovereign. Special coins are also sold each year in Greece for this purpose.

Many recipes include the coin in the batter, but it can sometimes get stuck between the two pieces. This creates confusion about who gets it.

Because it's easier to place it in the oven, and it looks neater vertically, the chances of it getting between two slices when it's cut are much lower.

How do you cut Vasilopita

The host will use a knife to score a cross on Vasilopita when it is time to cut it. It has a religious significance, but it can also be used to help cut even pieces.

The first piece is dedicated to Christ, while the second goes to Virgin Mary. The third is for the household. The fourth piece is for the host. The fifth goes to the hostess. All others will be for the oldest to the youngest relatives. They are included if a family member is absent. Our household includes pets, as they are family members!

Remember that everyone deserves a piece Vasilopita. If you are hosting a large number of guests, you will need to calculate the portions in advance. This recipe will serve eight people (or more). For more people, you can make 2 cakes or double the recipe. It is up to you to decide whether or not to add a coin to each cake.

Vasilopita can also be cut in businesses, boards, and clubs, usually from January to February. The coin is usually given to the employee or member of a club who receives it.

img alt="A slice Vasilopita, a Greek New Year's Eve cake." class="wp-image-9042" decoding="async" height="1024" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" src="https://www.thehungrybites.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Vasilopita-4-683x1024.jpg" srcset="https://www.thehungrybites.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Vasilopita-4-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://www.thehungrybites.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Vasilopita-4-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.thehungrybites.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Vasilopita-4-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://www.thehungrybites.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Vasilopita-4-150x225.jpg 150w, https://www.thehungrybites.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Vasilopita-4.jpg 800w" width="683"/>

Vasilopita Decoration

Vasilopita is traditionally decorated with Christmas ornaments and icing sugar. The year is usually written on the surface with glaze, icing sugar or cocoa powder. Also, sugar paste and melted chocolate can be used.

It is my favorite way to decorate it. I love decorating it with matcha green tea and white chocolate trees. Matcha tea is my favorite flavor with white chocolate!

Vasilopita is a Greek New Year's Eve cake.

Vasilopita, a traditional Greek cake made with a coin and baked for New Year's Eve, is a traditional Greek dessert. This recipe contains vanilla, cinnamon, orange zest, and finely chopped hazelnuts.

Course Sweet

Cuisine Greek and Mediterranean

Keyword Cake, Coin, New Year's Eve. Vasilopita

Prep time 45 minutes

Cook Time 1 Hour

Total Time 1 hour and 35 minutes

Servings

Calories 324 Kcal

Author Makos

Ingredients

Vasilopita

1 1/2 cups (190 grams) cake flour or all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (30 grams) roasted hazelnuts
2 teaspoons baking powder
A pinch of salt
4 large eggs (220 grams)
1 cup 200 grams sugar
1/2 cup minus 1 tablespoon (90 grams) butter
1/4 cup (60 grams) milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

The chocolate trees

7 oz 200 grams white chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon matcha green tea
6 wooden skewers
Icing sugar for decoration

Equipment:

one 8 inch (20 cm) in diameter and 3-inch (7cm) deep round cake pan. (If your pan is too small, grease it and line the sides with baking paper as shown in the video.

Instructions

For the Vasilopita

Heat the eggs. Transfer the eggs with the shells to a bowl and add very warm, but not boiling water. While you prepare the other ingredients, let them rest.
Heat your oven up to 350degF (175degC), and then grease and flour the cake pan
Grind the nuts: Place the hazelnuts, along with some flour, in a food processor. Process until no more hazelnuts are visible. Mix the remaining flour, baking powder, and salt together and then mix.
Whip the eggs. Take the eggs from the water, drain the water, and wipe the bowl. Mix the eggs with the electric mixer until they are frothy. Slowly add the sugar to the bowl and beat until it triples in volume. The mixture should look like thick shaving foam.
Heat the butter: Whip the eggs. Once the butter has melted, heat the mixture in a small saucepan.
Fold the flour. In two additions, sift the flour mixture onto the whipped eggs. After each addition, fold the batter gently with a spatula. The batter won't deflate if folded.
To incorporate the butter, transfer the milk and melted butter into a separate bowl. Mix it with approximately one-fourth of the batter. Next, add the mixture to the flour mixture and whisk it together. Fold in gently with a spatula.
Bake: Pour the batter into a pan. Bake for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. If you have a larger pan, bake the cake for 55 minutes. Let the cake cool on the pan for 10 min, then transfer it to a rack to cool completely.
Hidden the coin: Turn the cake upside down, use a knife to insinuate the coin and place it inside the cake. Place the cake upside down on a plate.

For the chocolate trees

Melt the chocolate. Transfer two-thirds of the white chocolate into a bowl. Slowly add the rest of chocolate to the bowl and stir until it is melted. Mix in the matcha.
Make the chocolate trees. Transfer the chocolate to either a piping bag, or a food-safe bag and let it cool. The wooden skewers can be placed on baking paper. Cut the end of the pipet bag to make the chocolate trees. It is easier to form the shapes if you pipe three triangles, one underneath the other. Allow the chocolate to set up and harden. It is best to keep it in the fridge ).
Decorate: Spread icing sugar on the Vasilopita and add the number of New Years with nuts, cocoa powder, or melted chocolate. Serve with chocolate trees. Happy New Year!

Video

Notes

You can substitute the hazelnuts for 3 tablespoons of cornstarch or flour if you don't like nuts.
This velvety Xmas cake is another recipe that I make often as a Vasilopita. It has vanilla buttercream.
If you want the orange flavor to stand out from the rest of your aromatics, add 2 teaspoons orange zest.

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To make 12 servings, multiply this recipe by 1.5 cups sugar and 6 eggs. Use a 10-inch-diameter, 3-inch-deep round pan.

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To make 16 servings, multiply this recipe by x2 (8 eggs and 2 cups sugar, etc.). Use a round 12-inch pan that is 3-inches deep.

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A stand mixer with large bowl is recommended for 16 servings or more.
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Similar recipes you'll love:

Greek Kourabiedes (almond-butter cookies)
Greek Melomakarona, honey-spiced cookies
Easy Jumbo chocolate truffles

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main ingredients in a Mediterranean diet

Mediterranean cuisine includes fruits, vegetables (at least twice per week), whole grains, legumes. Nuts are an option. Fresh ingredients are preferred to pre-packaged processed food. You should use herbs instead of salt when flavoring meals. Physical activity should also be included in daily routine to reap the full benefits of this diet. Incorporating mindful eating techniques with family and friends when sharing food can help make this diet more enjoyable for those following it.

Is the Mediterranean Diet suitable for people suffering from certain health conditions like diabetes?

People with diabetes or other health issues will find the Mediterranean Diet helpful. This diet emphasizes whole foods and limits refined sugars and carbohydrates. It also focuses more on healthy fats than butter and lard. This helps lower the risk of developing it in people not yet diagnosed and regulates blood sugar levels for people with diabetes. Incorporating light exercise into your diet can help stabilize and regulate blood sugar levels. You can make healthy food choices such as substituting white bread for whole-grain bread, or adding nuts to your salads in place of crackers. This will help you to manage many health conditions.

Is oatmeal OK on a Mediterranean diet?

Yes, oatmeal may be consumed on the Mediterranean Diet. Oats are whole grains and can provide good sources of dietary fibre and minerals like iron or magnesium. They can be served with blueberries and nuts, as well as savory ingredients such eggs and cheese. Oatmeal is versatile and can be used in a variety of ways to help you make a healthy breakfast. Oatmeal can be added to smoothies, used as a topping in protein bars or simply eaten plain with almond butter and various toppings like cinnamon, gojiberries and chia seed. Many people consider oats compatible with Mediterranean diets because they are popular in many countries.

Statistics

Aim to get 20 to 35 percent of your total daily caloric intake from fat, and for saturated fats to represent less than 10 percent of your total caloric intake, advises the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (everydayhealth.com)
In one study, the healthiest eaters at age 50 had a nearly 90% lower risk of dementia than those with the least healthy diets. (heart.org)
The research suggested that the diet reduced the risk of cardiovascular issues, including stroke, heart attack, and death, by about 30 percent compared with the control group. (medicalnewstoday.com)
One small study suggested that swapping one-half of your serving of a high-glycemic starch (like rice) with lentils helps lower the glycemic response by 20 percent. (everydayhealth.com)

External Links

How To

What is the Mediterranean Diet and How can it Reduce your Risk of Heart Disease or Stroke?

Healthy fats, whole grains and legumes are all part of the Mediterranean diet. It has been linked to numerous health benefits such as better blood lipids. better glucose control. reduced risk of developing certain cancers. This dietary approach could also reduce the chance of suffering from stroke or heart disease, according to research.

It is possible to incorporate Mediterranean-inspired foods into your daily diet by swapping high-calorie snacks like chips for nutrient-dense vegetable appetizers or other traditional greens or beans dishes. In order to enhance your hunger relief, it is important to learn how you can increase the variety of your diet. Furthermore, moderate amounts of dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and milk should be included throughout the day for added nutrition. To complete the Mediterranean experience, olive oil should be used as the primary cooking fat. Red wine can also be enjoyed occasionally.

Combined with regular physical activity on an average vigorous level, one could see even more significant increases in short-term results and long-term positive impacts on body composition and overall health benefits, including chronic disease prevention. The Mediterranean diet encourages healthy eating and provides substantial benefits for reducing your risk of heart disease and stroke.