Vasilopeta
Vasilopeta is a cake made in honor of Saint Basil, whose nameday is January 1. 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 (see note.) 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.
Note: In Greek: Vasilopeta = Vasili's peta = Saint Vasili's peta = in English: Saint Basil's bread.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
6 eggs
2 tsp double-acting baking powder
1 cup lukewarm milk
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tbls fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, or pistachios)
1/4 cup sugar
PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees.
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.
Yield One 10-inch cake, 10 to 12 servings.