Vasilopita - A Traditional New Year Cake of Cypriots

A delicious Greek New Year pastry with a beautiful history and an interesting ritual involving money. In Cyprus, the cake is also known as Vasilopoulla.

• Vasilopita in Cyprus
• Traditional Serving
• History and Legend
• Cake Recipe
• FAQs

Vasilopita in Cyprus

Vasilopita is a New Year’s cake in Greece and Cyprus that contains a hidden coin or trinket, bringing good luck to the recipient. In Greece and Cyprus, it is associated with Saint Basil’s Day on January 1, though in some regions, traditions involving the cake with a hidden coin are tied to Epiphany or Christmas.

The cake is made with various doughs, depending on regional and family traditions. In some families, instead of dough, a custard base called galatopita (literally "milk pie") is prepared. The cake is also known as chronopita, meaning "New Year’s cake."

Traditional Serving of Vasilopita

When preparing Vasilopita, a coin is baked into the ingredients. During the celebration, usually on the first day of the New Year, the bread is traditionally cut by the eldest family member, and the person who receives the piece containing the coin is considered blessed for the New Year.

Each portion of Vasilopita is distributed as follows: The first slice is cut in memory of Jesus Christ, the second in memory of the Virgin Mary, the third in honor of Saint Basil, and the remaining slices are cut for family members, starting with the eldest. Portions may also be cut for the church, the home, travelers, guests, and the poor.

The Legend of Vasilopita

This age-old tradition originated in the 4th century when Saint Basil the Great, as a bishop, wished to distribute money to the poor in his diocese. To preserve their dignity and avoid it seeming like begging, he asked several women to bake sweet bread in which he placed gold coins. Thus, families were pleasantly surprised to find coins when slicing the bread for nourishment.

Interestingly, Saint Basil is considered the first person to establish an orphanage for children and the first Christian hospital in the world.

Vasilopita Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 7 separated eggs
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup chopped almonds
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 pack of whole blanched almonds

Preparation

1. Cream the butter and sugar for 10 minutes, then add the egg yolks and flavorings.
2. Add the remaining ingredients, except for the egg whites.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff.
4. Fold in the beaten egg whites. Mix well.
5. Grease a round baking pan (30 cm diameter for this proportion).
6. Pour in the batter and insert a coin, preferably wrapped in foil. Arrange the whole blanched almonds around the perimeter of the surface. You can also write the new year in the center of the cake.
7. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.

FAQs about Food in Cyprus

What other traditional holiday cakes are there?

Besides Vasilopita or Vasilopoulla in Cyprus, Flaouna is the most famous. This cake is baked for Easter.

What are popular meat dishes in Cyprus?

Top dishes include moussaka (eggplant and meat casserole), kleftiko (lamb cooked in a clay oven), stifado (beef stewed in red wine and tomato sauce), and sheftalia (minced meat sausages in natural casing).

What are the notable cheeses besides halloumi?

The most popular cheese after halloumi is Anari. This is a fresh cheese made from whey, produced during the preparation of other Cypriot cheeses, including halloumi.

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