Greek New Year’s Vasilopita (Traditional Coin Cake Recipe)

CountryGreece

CategoryBaked Goods & Pastries

OccasionNew Year

DifficultyEasy

Home › Baked Goods & Pastries › New Year

Greek New Year’s Vasilopita (Traditional Coin Cake)

Vasilopita is Greece’s beloved New Year cake—soft, buttery, orange-scented, and traditionally baked with a hidden coin. Whoever finds the coin is said to have good luck for the year ahead.

⏱️ ~65 minutes 🍊 Orange & Vanilla 🪙 Lucky Coin Tradition 🎉 New Year Baking

Recipe Card

Classic Vasilopita with a tender crumb and bright citrus aroma—perfect for New Year’s Day.

Quick Facts

• Prep Time15 min
• Bake Time45–50 min
• Total~65 min
• Servings10–12

Coin tip: Wrap a clean coin tightly in foil (or baking parchment + foil). Place it into the batter right before baking.

Ingredients

Cake Batter

• 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups (300g) sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (240ml) milk, room temperature
• Zest of 1–2 oranges
• 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping

• Powdered sugar, for dusting
• Optional: sliced almonds

Jump to Instructions Jump to FAQ

Why This Recipe Works

• Butter + proper creaming creates a soft, fine crumb (not dense).
• Orange zest adds bright aroma without making the cake sour.
• Room-temperature eggs & milk help the batter emulsify smoothly.
• Gentle mixing keeps the cake tender and fluffy.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Prep the pan & oven

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch (23cm) round cake pan.

Pro tip: Lining the base prevents sticking and keeps the cake edges clean.

2

Mix dry ingredients

In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

3

Cream butter & sugar

Beat butter and sugar for 3–4 minutes until pale and fluffy.

Why this matters: This step traps air for a lighter cake texture.

4

Add eggs + flavor

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla.

5

Combine (don’t overmix)

Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk (dry → milk → dry), mixing just until combined.

6

Add the coin + bake

Pour half the batter into the pan, place the wrapped coin, then cover with remaining batter.

Bake for 45–50 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

7

Cool & decorate

Cool 15 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a rack. Dust with powdered sugar once fully cool.

Serving tradition: Slice the cake and let each person pick a piece—luck awaits the coin!

Traditional Variations

Style	What changes	Flavor result
Spiced	Add 1/2 tsp cinnamon + pinch of clove	Warm holiday aroma
Almond	Use 1/2 tsp almond extract + sliced almonds	Nutty, bakery-style
Light citrus	Use 1 orange zest (instead of 2)	More subtle, kid-friendly

Nutrition Facts (Estimated)

Values are estimates and may vary by ingredients and portion size.

Nutrient	Per slice (1/12)
Calories	~320
Protein	~6g
Carbs	~45g
Fat	~13g

Storage & Make-Ahead

Room temp: Keep covered up to 2 days.

Fridge: Up to 5 days (bring to room temp before serving for best texture).

Freezer: Wrap slices and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight.

FAQ

Can I make Vasilopita without the coin?

Yes—bake it as a simple orange vanilla cake. The coin is traditional, but the cake is delicious either way.

Why did my cake turn out dense?

Usually from overmixing after adding flour, or using cold eggs/milk. Mix gently and keep ingredients room temperature.

Can I use oil instead of butter?

You can, but butter gives the classic flavor and texture. If using oil, expect a slightly different crumb.

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