Greek New Year Cake VASSILOPITTA

NEW YEAR CAKE   -  Vassilopitta

Finished Vassilopitta!

This bread is associated with Saint Basil’s Day, Greek (New Year’s day).  It is called Vassilopitta and is  baked with a coin inserted and served at midnight New Year’s eve. At midnight the sign of the cross is etched with a knife across the cake. The first piece is for God, next for the house (to bring good luck for the year) and then each member of the family and any visitors present at the time, by order of age from eldest to youngest Whomever gets the coin in their piece will have good luck all year around!

This is an easy version which does not use yeast and therefore, takes much less effort and time.

1 cup butter sliced in pieces

1 cup sugar

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

5 1/2 cups flour

1/4 cup cream or milk or orange juice

5 eggs (four used and the yolk of fifth for the dough  save white of the one egg

1 tablespoon zest orange

1 tablespoon brandy  (optional)

1/2 cup sliced almonds

 

Cream butter and sugar until nice and fluffy in the blender.  Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, together in a separate bowl.

to the creamed butter/sugar:  Add eggs, juice (or milk), rind, and dry ingredients and almonds. Knead dough in mixer with dough hook.  

All ready to bake

Spray  baking tin or pie plate with Pam .   Form dough into a large round and smooth to the sides of the pan. Take a Greek COIN and wrap in foil and insert the coin in the dough and smooth over the dough.  

 

Brush the top of the cake with the egg white. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes.

TIPS:

·        HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!    Good luck in getting the coin!

As always be your own Creative Dump Cook and change this recipe to what YOU have on hand!