Vasilopita Cake Recipe

Get ready to whip up a cake that’s not only delicious but also comes with a twist of excitement and mystery—because who wouldn’t want to discover a hidden treasure in their dessert? Let’s embark on a baking adventure with our orange-scented coin cake!

Making Vasilopita Cake for New Year’s Day is a labor of love, and I adore the process nearly as much as I enjoy the end result. This festive cake boasts the bright flavors of freshly zested orange and ground cinnamon, two ingredients I consider essential to the cake.

As for the process? It’s wonderfully simple—the batter comes together in one bowl, and the cake bakes up in just a short amount of time.

Vasilopita Cake Recipe Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: Provides structure and carbohydrate to the cake.
• Baking powder: A leavening agent that helps the cake rise.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and tenderizes the cake.
• Unsalted butter: Gives a rich flavor and moist texture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add protein for structure.
• Vanilla extract: Provides vanilla aroma and enhances flavors.
• Almond extract: Adds a nutty and aromatic note.
• Orange juice: Contributes tangy flavor and moisture.
• Orange zest: Adds citrusy fragrance and bright flavor.

Vasilopita Cake Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• Zest of 1 orange
• Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
• A coin wrapped in foil

How to Make this Vasilopita Cake Recipe

1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up. While it is getting ready, prepare a 10-inch round cake pan by greasing it. Place parchment paper in the bottom, making sure it is flat, and flour the sides so that the cake has a nice release after baking.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk until uniform and set aside.

3. In a big bowl, whisk the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about three to four minutes.

4. Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in the vanilla and almond extracts.

5. Slowly incorporate the flour mix into the butter mix, alternating with milk. Start with the flour, and finish with the flour. Blend for a short time between each addition and when combining everything. The goal is to bring together wet and dry ingredients.

6. Combine the orange juice and zest with the other ingredients, and mix until fully integrated.

7. Half of the batter is poured into the prepared cake pan. The coin, wrapped in foil, is placed in the batter, then the remaining batter is poured over it.

8. Level the batter in the pan with a spatula and bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean.

9. Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

10. When it has cooled down, sprinkle confectioners’ sugar all over the top before you serve it. Enjoy your good luck slice!

Vasilopita Cake Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. 10-inch round cake pan
3. Parchment paper
4. Pastry brush (for greasing the pan)
5. Measuring cups
6. Measuring spoons
7. Medium bowl
8. Large bowl
9. Whisk
10. Electric mixer or hand whisk
11. Spatula
12. Toothpick (for testing doneness)
13. Wire rack
14. Foil (for wrapping the coin)
15. Zester or grater (for zesting the orange)

FAQ

• What is the significance of the coin in Vasilopita?Traditionally, the coin is hidden inside the cake before baking. This is done to bring luck to whoever finds it in their slice.
• Can I make Vasilopita without almond extract?Indeed, you can leave out the almond extract or swap it for extra vanilla extract if that suits you.
• What type of milk should be used in this recipe?Vasilopita can be made with whole milk, which is ideal for a rich and moist result, but you can use any kind of milk. If you’re out of milk entirely, you can also use yogurt (preferably thinned with water or milk to about the consistency of whole milk).
• Is it necessary to use orange juice and zest?The lovely citrus flavor comes from the orange juice and zest, which you can replace with lemon if you wish.
• What can I use if I don’t have confectioners’ sugar?You can use granulated sugar for a different texture, and if you don’t want to dust them with sugar, you can skip that step entirely.
• How should Vasilopita be stored?Keep any surplus food in a sealed container and at room temperature. It will last for three days, maybe four.

Vasilopita Cake Recipe Substitutions and Variations

When using all-purpose flour: Replace with a gluten-free baking blend when you require a gluten-free alternative.
For butter that has no salt: Replace it with the same amount of coconut oil to make it a rainy day on the dairy front.
For granulated sugar: Opt for coconut sugar or raw cane sugar as natural sweetener alternatives, but be aware that their taste might vary a bit.
When it comes to orange juice, a possible substitute is lemon juice. However, it imparts a different citrus flavor altogether.
For vanilla extract: You can use maple syrup, which will give your recipe a different but delightful flavor.

Pro Tips

1. Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature before you start mixing. This helps achieve a smoother batter and a more even rise during baking.