Saint Basil’S Bread (Vasilopeta) Recipe
Saint Basil’s Bread (Vasilopeta)
Source: Lior’s Kitchen Talk
A Greek New Year’s bread
The cakes differ in the various regions of Greece: some are a type of bread, others a type of rich yeast cake, others are flat, made of cookie dough
The cakes may differ, but all include the customary hidden silver coin
It symbolizes good luck to the person who finds the coin in his piece of cake
The head of the family cuts slices in a very precise order
The first piece goes to Saint Basil for the cake is made in his honor
The second piece goes to Christ
The third piece is for the oldest member of the family, and on down to the youngest
The following recipe is the most traditional version
2 cups granulated sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
6 eggs
2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder
1 cup lukewarm milk
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, or pistachios)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Cream butter and sugar together until light
Add flour and stir until mixture resembles coarse meal
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition
Stir baking powder into milk and stir into egg mixture
Mix baking soda and lemon juice and stir in
Mix well
Pour into a greased round layer cake pan 10 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep
Randomly throw in a clean coin
Bake for 20 minutes
Sprinkle with nuts and sugar and bake 20 to 30 minutes longer, or until cake tests done
Cool 10 minutes in pan and invert onto serving plate
Serve right side up
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