Vasilopita: the Greek dessert recipe for New Year’s Eve

Ingredients
TYPE 00 FLOUR
500 grams
LATTÉ
300ml< /span>ORANGE PEELVasilopita is a cake of Greek origin, whose name means “Saint Basil’s cake”, traditionally prepared for New Year’s Eve or Epiphany. It is a pantry dessert based on simple and easily available ingredients, that is, eggs, milk, butter, sugar, yeast and flour, very similar to the classic < /span>. The quantities and proportions vary depending on the recipe, which differs from one area to another and even from one family to another. paradise cakeq.b.FILLETED ALMONDS 1METALLIC COINCOMPLETEq.b.1 sachetYEAST POWDER5EGG140 gramsMELTED BUTTER180 grams
FAST SUGAR

What distinguishes passatelli from any other sweet is a coin (or pendant), wrapped in aluminum and then inserted into the cake dough. : According to popular belief, the diner who manages to find it will have a rich and lucky year.

Soft, fragrant and almost impalpable in consistency, it is ideal to enjoy as is, simply accompanied by a coffee with milk or tea, for breakfast < a i=2> or snack, or to fill with a delicate cream for a refined dessert at the end of a meal: it will conquer young and old alike.

Discover how to make vasilopita following the step-by-step procedure and tips.

How to prepare vasilopita

Step 1
Open the eggs and collect the whites in a large bowl.
1
, reserving the yolks in another bowl with the sugar.

Step 2
Beat the yolks and sugar with the mixer until you obtain a light and puffy mixture.
2
Then slowly add the melted butter (without boiling), continuing to beat, and the orange zest.

Step 3
Also add the milk.
3
and melt.

Step 4
Add the sifted flour together with the yeast with a spatula. Then beat the egg whites until stiff and add them to the mixture with slow movements from bottom to top.
4
.

Step 5
Grease a 24 cm diameter removable mold with butter, place a disk of baking paper on the base and fill with the dough.
5
.

Step 6
Wash and dry a dime, then wrap it tightly with a strip of aluminum foil.
6
.

Step 7
Insert the coin into the dough, pushing it towards the bottom of any point in the mold.
7
.

Step 8
Sprinkle the surface of the cake with slivered almonds.
8
and cook in a preheated static oven at 175°C for approximately one hour.

Step 9
Remove from the oven when the surface looks golden.
9
and the interior is well cooked (the toothpick test is worth it).

Step 10
Carefully unmold the cake, let it cool and serve in slices.
10
.< /span>

Tip
You can also flavor the dough with a little lemon zest, a drop of limoncello or another liqueur of your choice; You can also add spices, such as cinnamon or cardamom.

You can sprinkle the surface with sesame seeds or other types of seeds, such as flax, poppy, sunflower or almonds with other nuts (such as pine nuts, hazelnuts, pecans). If you wish, you can sprinkle the surface with a little icing sugar.

For an even more delicious version, enrich the dough with chocolate chips or, once the cake is cooked, cut it in half and fill it. with a chocolate ganache.

If you liked this recipe, also try the creamy ricotta tart.

storage
Vasilopita cake can be stored at room temperature, in an airtight container or under a glass cloche, for approximately 2-3 days.