On new year's day, greek families make a cake called vasilopita. They cut the vasilopita at midnight on new year's eve to bless the house and bring good luck for the new year. A coin is hidden in the cake, and the person who gets the piece with the coin has good luck for the new year.
To make Vasilopita New Year's Cake:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (180 C).
Line the bottom of a 10-inch cake pan with parchment paper and brush the bottom and sides with butter.
In the bowl of a stand mixer that has been fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla, and almond extract on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to high and beat until thick, pale, and fluffy - three minutes.
Beat the eggs into the butter mixture one at a time until fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat until smooth.
Add the yogurt and beat until incorporated.
In a bowl, combine the flour, almond meal, salt, baking powder, cardamom, orange zest, and almond slices. Whisk together until combined.
Add the dry ingredients to the mixer by heaping tablespoons until just incorporated.
Transfer the batter into the prepared cake pan. The batter will be thick.
Insert the foil-wrapped coin into the batter, or wait until the cake is baked and insert in the bottom of the cake.
Bake in the centre rack of the preheated oven for 55 - 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
Run a knife around the edge of the cake to release it from the pan and set it aside to cool completely.
Invert the cake onto a cake platter and remove the parchment paper. Flip the cake back around and dust with powdered sugar.
See more delicious greek dessert recipes here.
Enjoy!
Servings 0