How to Make Vasilopita: Greek New Year’s Cake!

Different versions of Vasilopita

Vasilopita (Βασιλόπιτα, meaning (Saint) Basil’s pie or Cake) is a spongy, delicious cake or bread made in Greece and in other areas of the Balkans, which hides a small coin or trinket that is thought to grant good luck to whoever receives it inside their piece of cake.

Vasilopita is related to Saint Basil’s Day (January 1st), locally known as Agios Vasilis. And the fun part of this tradition is that there are as many different recipes as families in the country!

Everyone claims to have their secret to make it special. For instance, some families make Politiki Vasilopita, similar to tsoureki with a dough similar to brioche.

Other traditions want Vasilopita to be made from a custard base instead of regular dough, which is known as galatopita (milk cake).

My own Cretan Vasilopita

My Vasilopita is similar to a sponge cake, something like an Italian Pan di Spagna or even Torta Margherita, also known as Bizcocho in Spain or Bizcochuelo in Latin America, but with a heavy butter scent.

Curious Fact: The cake is also known as Chronópita, (Χρονόπιτα) this comes from the word χρόνος (chrónos – time) and πίτα: (píta – pie) meaning “New Year’s pie”. 

How I make it

I start by separating the eggs, because this cake gets its beautiful lightness from a well-made meringue. The egg whites go into a large, clean bowl with a pinch of salt and are whipped until they hold firm, glossy peaks. I set this aside and move on to the base of the cake.

I cream the softened butter with the sugar until the mixture looks pale and fluffy. This step is important—it’s what gives the vasilopita its rich, tender crumb.

Then I add the egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition so everything stays smooth and emulsified.

Once the yolks are fully incorporated, I pour in the condensed milk, the brandy (or cognac), the vanilla, and the citrus zest, which instantly fills the kitchen with that unmistakable New Year aroma.

Next, I gradually fold in the self-raising flour. At this point, I stop using the mixer completely, and I gently fold the meringue into the batter in batches, using a spatula and light, sweeping motions.

The goal is to keep as much air in the mixture as possible so the cake bakes up tall and fluffy.

I pour the batter into a buttered and floured cake pan, making sure it’s evenly spread, and carefully tuck the wrapped coin into the batter.

The cake then goes into a preheated oven, where it bakes until golden, risen, and fragrant, and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.

Once baked, I let the vasilopita cool completely in the pan. Just before serving, I dust the top generously with icing sugar—simple, traditional, and exactly how this festive cake should be enjoyed. Sometimes, I add a pop of color with pomegranate seeds!

The family ritual of cutting the Vasilopita

Depending on each family tradition, Vasilopita can be cut and shared at midnight on New Year’s Eve or even on the 1st of January, in the morning.

No matter which tradition the family follows, when the cake is cut, it is believed to bless the whole household as well as to bring good luck for the year that has just begun.

Usually, the sign of the cross is etched with a knife on top of the cake, while each member of the family receives a slice by order of age: from the eldest to the youngest.

We usually make the Vasilopita fairly big (in fact, we use a 32-cm cake pan) because, according to some family traditions, the first slices of vasilopita go to the Virgin, Saint Basil, or other saints, the household, the poor, or even the Kallikantzaroi!

That coin (or flouri) used to be a valuable one in the past, but today it has been replaced by a regular coin or token.

History behind the Vasilopita tradition

The tradition around Vasilopita resembles Western European celebrations of the Twelfth Night and even Epiphany. However, for us in Greece, Vasilopita is closely related to the legend of Basil of Caesarea, or Agios Vasilis. And it is a fascinating legend…
There are, of course, other versions of this legend, and you can find out more here as well.

Vasilopita in other Balkan countries

It is a curious fact that in different areas of the Balkans, the tradition of hiding a coin in a cake exists, especially during the holidays, but it has nothing to do with Saint Basil.

Have you ever tried Vasilopita?
Did you get the coin? Let me know!

Pin for Later!
Greek Vasilopita Recipe that’s Tasty and Super Easy!