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New Year's Cake
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4 from 16 votes

Greek New Year's Cake - Vasilopita

A traditional Greek cake, flavored with orange and brandy, served on New Year's day with a hidden coin inside. Whoever finds it is to have good luck for the whole year!
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Greek
Keyword: christmas, Oven baked
Servings: 12 pieces
Calories: 375kcal

Ingredients

  • 225 grams / 8 oz butter at room temperature
  • 200 grams / 7 oz icing sugar + extra for adding on top
  • ½ orange zested
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • OPTIONAL: 1 teaspoon mahleb powder
  • 3 tablespoons brandy or scotch
  • 2 eggs
  • 80 ml milk
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 400 grams (2 + ½ cups) flour sifted
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 120 grams / 4.2 oz unsweetened baking chocolate
  • 1 small coin

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 180°C / 356°F.
  • Add the flour together with the baking powder in a bowl and set aside.
  • Cut the butter into small pieces and add it to your electric mixer's bowl, along with the icing sugar, orange zest, vanilla extract, nutmeg, mahleb powder, and brandy.
  • With the whisk attachment on, start beating over low speed until the icing sugar gets absorbed by the butter. Then turn speed to medium-high and beat for 15-20 minutes. Until butter becomes completely soft and creamy (like when making buttercream). Meanwhile, add the milk to a small bowl and dissolve the baking soda in it.
  • Drop the speed to low and add the eggs one by one. Give it a minute for the eggs to incorporate and then add the milk and baking soda mixture.
  • Once fully incorporated, begin adding the flour and baking powder mixture slowly and in batches. Turn the speed to medium for a minute or two for everything to combine well. If needed scrape the sides of the mixer's bowl from any butter remnants.
  • Grease a springform cake pan (23 cm / 9 inch round) with cooking spray and add the cake batter. Spread evenly with a spoon.
  • Bake for about 20-25 minutes. To make sure it's ready prick the center with a toothpick to see if the toothpick comes out clean.
  • Let the cake reach room temperature.
  • Once the cake has cooled, it's time to add the coin. Press the coin inside the cake. Then remove the cake pans ring and flip the cake on a serving plate so its flat bottom side is facing upwards.
  • Dust with plenty of icing sugar on top. Enough to create a thick white layer and fill any little holes the cake may have.
  • Take a piece of parchment paper and lay it gently on top of the cake. With your hands gently rub the parchment paper making the icing sugar below it to stick together and become smooth.
  • Carefully remove the parchment paper.
  • Melt the chocolate either in a double boiler or in your microwave using a microwave-safe bowl. Make sure you stir every 30 seconds so it won't burn.
  • Transfer chocolate in a piping pen and decorate the cake by writing a Happy New Year or the New Year's number.
  • Let the chocolate cool and you're ready to serve!
  • You may also use paper numbers and dust the sugar on top. A much easier way. Or even use a white chocolate glaze on top and decorate with some pomegranate seeds all around. And then form the new year's numbers in the center with little chocolate sprinkles or drops. Just let your imagination run free and decorate it your way!

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 375kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 150mg | Potassium: 166mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 519IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 3mg