Vasilopita Greek Saint Basils New Year's Cake Recipe

Ring in the New Year with this irresistible Vasilopita, a traditional Greek Saint Basil's cake! This quick and delicious recipe is perfect for any occasion, not just New Year's. Hidden inside is a lucky coin – a symbol of good fortune for the finder. Enjoy this moist and flavorful cake, a true taste of Greek tradition.

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 55 mins
Calories 555.6 kcal
Protein 18g
Rating Be the first
Vasilopita Greek Saint Basils New Year's Cake 40

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Forktionary editorial kitchen team

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Vasilopita Greek Saint Basils New Year's Cake

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Vasilopita Greek Saint Basils New Year's Cake? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Vasilopita Greek Saint Basils New Year's Cake

  1. Wrap a silver or gold coin tightly in aluminum foil.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10-inch round cake pan with 1 tablespoon of butter.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter and 2 cups of sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Gradually add 3 cups of flour, mixing until the batter resembles coarse crumbs.
  5. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 teaspoons baking powder and 1 cup of milk. Add to the batter and mix well.
  7. In another small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Add to the batter and mix until just combined.
  8. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Gently insert the foil-wrapped coin into the batter.
  9. Bake for 20 minutes.
  10. Remove the cake from the oven. Sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped nuts and 2 tablespoons of sugar over the top.
  11. Return the cake to the oven and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  12. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  13. Once cooled, serve warm. Traditionally, the oldest person cuts the first slice, followed by the rest of the family.
  14. Whoever finds the coin is believed to have good luck in the coming year!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

13 g

Sugar

172g

Fat

70g

Carbs

24g

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

60 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion Desserts Fruit Greek Oven European Holiday Event Cakes Nuts Food Processor Blender Dietary New Years Equipment Small Appliance

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Vasilopita Greek Saint Basils New Year's Cake?

Vasilopita Greek Saint Basils New Year's Cake takes about 75 minutes from start to finish — roughly 20 minutes to prepare and 55 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Vasilopita Greek Saint Basils New Year's Cake?

Vasilopita Greek Saint Basils New Year's Cake has approximately 555.6 calories per serving, with about 18 g protein, 24 g carbohydrates and 39 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Vasilopita Greek Saint Basils New Year's Cake?

The key ingredients for Vasilopita Greek Saint Basils New Year's Cake are Butter, White Sugar, Flour, Eggs, Baking Powder, Milk. See the full list with measurements above.

Reviews

No reviews yet — be the first to share your thoughts on this recipe!

Write a Review