Vasilopita is one of those traditions where the ritual and the food are equally important. Baked on New Year’s Eve or served at the first family gathering of January, this Greek cake is named after Saint Basil and carries a coin inside that is believed to bring luck to whoever finds it in their slice. Cutting the cake has its own ceremony: one slice for the house, one for Saint Basil, and then the family, going around the table. Quick win. It is a celebration that centers the meal rather than ending it quietly.
The cake itself is rich and fragrant: ground almonds give the crumb a slight density, orange zest lifts the whole thing. Brandy or cognac adds warmth that you notice without it tasting boozy. Adding the eggs one at a time after creaming the butter and sugar builds a stable emulsion, and you can taste it in the crumb. Bake low and slow at 170C to let the inside cook through without the top darkening too fast. A dusting of icing sugar over the top before serving is the traditional finish, and it does not need anything more than that. The scramble for the coin is half the fun every single year.
Cream the Butter and Sugar, Then Add Eggs, Brandy, and Orange Zest
Beat the butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and creamy. Add the seven eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla, grated orange zest, brandy, and ground almonds.
Fold in the Sieved Flour and Milk, Then Bake with the Coin Inside
Sieve the flour and baking powder together in a separate bowl, then add them to the batter alternately with the milk, a little at a time, until fully combined. Grease and line a 30cm baking tin with greaseproof paper, pour in the batter, and press a clean coin into the mixture. Bake at 170C (340F) for approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Cool and Finish with Icing Sugar
Allow the cake to cool in the tin before turning it out. Dust the top generously with sieved icing sugar before serving. The cake is typically served on New Year’s Day, with slices distributed starting with the eldest family member.
Vasilopita: Greek New Year’s Cake
Total Time: 90 minutes
Yield: Serves 12
Description
Vasilopita is a traditional Greek New Year’s cake, baked with a coin inside to bring good luck to the recipient. This cake is rich with flavors of almonds, brandy, and orange zest.
Ingredients
Units
- 2 cups of sugar
- 8 oz (226g) of butter
- 7 eggs
- 3 cups of plain flour, sieved
- 4 leveled teaspoons of baking powder
- 1 cup of almonds, ground to powder
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup of brandy (or cognac)
- 2 oranges (grated zest)
- 1 cup of milk
Instructions
- Sieve the flour and baking powder together in a bowl.
- Beat the butter and sugar together until creamy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Add the vanilla, grated zest, and brandy.
- Then add the almonds.
- Finally, add the flour and the milk, a little at a time.
- Grease with butter and line with greaseproof paper a 30cm (12 inch) baking tin.
- Empty the mixture in and add the traditional coin.
- Bake at 170ºC (340 F), in a well-preheated oven, for approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- Garnish with sieved icing sugar.
Notes
- Add the eggs one at a time and let each fully incorporate before the next — rushing this step is what causes the batter to split.
- Wrap the coin tightly in foil before pressing it into the batter so it stays identifiable and food-safe.
- Bake low and slow at 170°C (340°F) so the inside cooks through before the top over-darkens.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 70 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 16
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of coin is traditionally baked inside Vasilopita?
Traditionally, a clean gold or silver coin is baked into the cake. In modern practice, a small wrapped coin or a foil-covered token is often used. Make sure to wrap any coin tightly in foil before placing it in the batter so it can be identified and removed safely before eating.
Can I substitute the brandy with something non-alcoholic?
Yes, you can replace the brandy with fresh orange juice to keep the citrus flavor of the cake. The brandy adds depth and a slight warmth to the crumb, but the cake bakes well without it. Use the same quantity of orange juice as a direct substitute.
How should Vasilopita be stored after baking?
Once cooled, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It keeps well for up to three days. The ground almond content helps retain moisture, so the crumb stays fairly dense rather than drying out quickly.
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