Desserts

New Years Cake (Vasilopita)

50 min Cook
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New Years Cake (Vasilopita)

New Years Cake (Vasilopita)

greekk6bg
I have seen some parts of Greece make this traditional New Year’s cake in the form of a Tsoureki dough (similar to Jewish Challah bread) vs. this cake version dusted with powdered sugar. This cake version is the one most people do on Lesvos Island, perhaps because of our ties to Asia Minor and Constantinople.
prep time
20 min
cooking time
50 min
servings
8-10
total time
1 hour and 10 min

Equipment

  • 2 Mixing Bowls, Stand Mixer (or Hand Mixer) whisk, sifter, 15 inch diameter cake pan, or 11x17 pan

Ingredients

  • 2½ cups almond powder

  • ½ cup almond slivers

  • ½ cup unalted butter, softened

  • 1 cup monkfruit sugar, granulated

  • 8 eggs (room temperature)

  • 1½ Tsp vanilla extract (essence)

  • 2 Tsp orange zest

  • ½ Tsp salt

  • 1½ Tsp baking powder

  • ¼ monk fruit, powdered

Instructions

1
Preheat oven to 350 F Degrees (180 C degrees).
2
In a bowl, combine all dry ingredients. You can use a hand whisk to combine all ingredients, or you can use a sifter, to ensure all dry ingredients are mixed well.
3
Either using a stand mixed, or a hand mixer, cream sugar and butter until creamy. Then add eggs, 1 to 2 at a time, and then all remaining wet ingredients, including the orange zest.
4
Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and blend well. Set aside.
5
Prepare a round 15 inch diameter cake pan with parchment paper. This is optional. I do not use the paper because I cut it directly from the pan and serve.
6
If you were going to follow the tradition of hiding a “coin” inside the cake, now would be the time. Take any coin, wrap it in aluminum foil (for sanitary reasons), and the drop in the pan. (Omit this step if you are not doing the tradition).
7
Pour the batter into the pan. You may have to bang the pan on the counter a few times, to even out.
8
Place in preheated 350 F degree (180 C degree) oven and bank for about 40 to 50 minutes, or until your toothpick test comes out clean.
9
Set aside to completely cool. This may take up to 3 hours, depending on your climate.
10
Take a sifter, add the powdered sugar on top. If you are going to add the year, then cut out a paper stencil with the year, place on top of the cake, then add the powdered sugar. Slowly remove the stencil. And voila! Happy New Year.
11
Enjoy! Bon Appetit! Kali Orexi!

Notes

Vasilopita, is the Greek New Year’s Cake that has a hidden coin inside. The person who receives the piece of cake with the hidden coin has good luck for that year. We would always attend Greek functions in Tarpon Springs, Fl, traditional Greek New Years Eve balls set up like supper clubs with live bands, Greek dancing and lots of Greek food. We would bring in the new year then go home and cut the Vasilopita. My dad would trace a cross, as a blessing, then begin dedicating each piece. The first one would go to God, and Jesus and the Virgin Mary, then a piece dedicated to the house or business, mom, dad, me, my sister, and then all the extended family. He would cut each piece, then lift up high to see if that person was going to receive the hidden coin. Was an exciting tradition and I still do it to this day! Kali Hronia! (Happy New Year!)
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