Vasilopita - Greek Saint Basil’s New Year's Cake

Rita~'s Note:

A very traditional Greek Cake that celebrates the life of Saint Basil. Usually served at New Year, it is quick and delicious at any time.

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 1 cup butter, plus
• 1 tablespoon butter, for greasing cake pan
• 2 cups white sugar, plus
• 2 tablespoons white sugar, for sprinkling
• 3 cups flour
• 6 eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup blanched slivered almond

Directions:

1. Clean! Silver or gold coin wrapped in aluminum foil (a quarter works well).
2. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 10 inch round cake pan with 1 Tbs butter.
3. In a medium bowl, cream the cup of butter and 2 cups of sugar together until light in color. Stir in the flour and mix until the batter resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Add the eggs one at a time, blending each one in well.
4. In a small bowl combine the baking powder and milk, add to the cake batter and mix well. Finally combine the lemon juice and baking soda in a small bowl, add to the cake batter and mix well. Pour the cake batter in to the greased cake pan, insert the foil wrapped coin, and bake for 20 minutes.
5. Remove the cake from the oven, sprinkle the nuts and 2 Tbs sugar over the cake, then return the cake to the oven and bake for a further 20-30 minutes until the cake springs to the touch. Allow to cool on a rack for 10 minutes then invert the pan on to a cake plate.
6. Ideally the cake should be served warm; each person gets a slice of the cake starting with the most senior member. Members of the Greek Orthodox Church believe that whoever gets the coin is blessed.

Reviews

[Aunt Maria]

I have been making this version for quite a few years now, and my family and I are very happy with the results. I never cared for the bread version of Vasilopita. This one comes out so moist and delicious, just like Yia Yia used to make! 1/2/2009 update-I came back to this recipe after trying out another great Vasilopita last year. My nephew requested the "original" recipe and I happily obliged. I added 2 Tbsp of cognac this time in keeping with my grandmother's recipe. I also subbed 1/2 pound of butter with ICBINB, 2 liquid egg substitutes, and 1/8 tsp almond extract instead of slivered almonds; used only 1 Tbsp of sugar on top. I put it in a large round baking pan and got about 20 nice sized slices out of this wonderfully light and delicious pound cake Vasilopita. Not going back from this one again!

[Umberle]

This was a very nice moist cake with an interesting fresh flavor. I didn't put in the coin and I made a sweet lemon sauce to serve with it. However, we didn't end up using the sauce because the flavor was already so good :)

[Mirj]

This is a lovely cake, very rich in flavor and texture (well, it DOES have 6 eggs!) I didn't add the coin, and contrary to the directions, served the youngest children first ;-) Lovely with a strong cup of coffee!