Vasilopita (Greek New Year’s Day Cake)

Greek tradition says that the vasilopita cake should be cut by every family member immediately at the dawn of the new year in each household. According to Argiro Barbarigou of Papadakis restaurant in Athens, Greece, the vasilopita cake tradition is very old, originating in the ancient Greek festivals known as Kronia (Saturnalia in ancient Rome) with the Franks later adding a hidden coin, known as the “flouri,” inside the cake. The lucky one to find the coin achieves the title of “King of the Night,” with extra good fortune coming their way.

The ingredients of the cake offer rich flavors and distinctive aromas that symbolize the prosperity and abundance for the new year. Barbarigou says her family, on the island of Paros, has a special traditional recipe they make every year, adding “If you ask me, I will tell you that the family recipe for our vasilopita is the best tasting, most aromatic and fluffiest cake.” She shared a version with us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can you get the flouri coin to hide in the cake?

Purchase the flouri coin online through Etsy or Amazon.

What can be used in place of the brandy?

If you don’t have brandy on hand, rum, cognac, or even whiskey can be used in place of the brandy. If you’d like to skip alcohol altogether, simply replace the brandy with more orange juice.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

When folding the meringue into the cake batter, the first addition mostly helps to loosen and lighten the batter, so it’s ok to be slightly more aggressive when stirring it in. With the next couple additions, be more gentle and take care while folding into the batter. Stop immediately once everything is incorporated to retain a lighter texture.

This cake can also be baked in two (9-inch-wide, 2-inch-tall) round cake pans. Butter the pans, lining the bottoms with parchment paper. Prepare, bake, and finish the cake as directed.