Vasilopita (New Year's Cake)

Vasilopita — or St. Basil's pita — is cut at midnight as the year changes with family. It is called Vasilopita because Saint Vasilis (or Basil) is celebrated on January 1 (along with anyone named Vasilis or Vasiliki).

St. Basil of Caesarea (330-379AD) was the original Santa. He was from a wealthy family and legend has it that after becoming a monk, he would leave gifts and food on the doorsteps of poor families at Christmas time.

The Tradition

There is not a standard recipe for Vasilopita — each family seems to have their own version. However, there is a politiki version (from the Poli or City, which is Constantinople or Istanbul), which is more like tsoureki — a sweet yeast bread made with milk, butter, eggs and aromatics.

What essentially makes it "Vasilopita" is the coin (flouri) baked inside and the year written on the cake, usually using powdered sugar, chocolate, almond slices, or whatever inspires you!

Cutting the Cake

The cake is always sliced at midnight — the first moment of the new year. The whole cake must be cut and each household can slice as they please.

Traditionally:

• The first piece is for Christ
• The second for St. Basil
• The third for the less fortunate
• Then a piece is cut for all members of the family and any friends present

The vasilopita is always offered first to the oldest person present, down to the youngest. And whoever has the coin (flouri) in their slice will enjoy luck all year!

This cake can be made and cut up until even March! It's a tradition that marks good will and blessings for the new year, not only with family but in business as well — you see on the news in Greece that government officials or bishops are cutting the cake with various groups until almost spring!

Preparing the Pan

I use a 12-inch round springform pan, which I line with parchment cut to the size of the bottom and another strip cut to the dimensions of the side. This way it is super easy to remove the cake and decorate on your cake plate!

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Sprinkle oil and flour in the baking dish (or line with parchment as described above).

Making the Cake

1. Beat the olive oil, zest, and sugar for 2 minutes.

2. Add the other liquid ingredients (orange juice, lemon juice, milk, vanilla) and beat for another minute.

3. Add the eggs one at a time and beat another minute.

4. Combine the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt).

5. Add the dry ingredients and beat until just mixed.

6. Pour into baking pan.

7. Don't forget the coin! Wrap it in foil and press it into the batter so nobody knows where it is.

8. Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and the top is golden.

Decorating

When the cake is done, the new year must be written on top. Traditionally this is done with:

• Powdered sugar (stenciled through a template)
• Melted chocolate
• Almond slices
• In the yeast "Politiki" version, some of the dough itself

Or use whatever inspires you — blueberries, fresh fruit, sprinkles!

Why Olive Oil?

This cake uses olive oil instead of butter, making it incredibly moist and fragrant. The citrus and cinnamon complement the fruity notes of good extra virgin olive oil perfectly. It's a lighter cake than butter-based versions, perfect for a light dessert or to accompany hot beverages during the winter.

The cake I prefer is incredibly easy and fast to make. It always comes out delicious, moist, and perfect.

Kali Epitychia, Kali Orexi — Good Luck, Good Appetite — and ENJOY!