Greek Vasilopita

This is our family's New Year's cake. A coin is baked in the cake, and the person who finds the coin in their slice is has good luck for the year; they also get a prize.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 369 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¾ cups white sugar
• 5 eggs
• 2 tablespoons water
• ½ cup blanched slivered almonds
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Step 2

In a large bowl, blend together the butter or margarine and the sugar. Separate 3 of the eggs; add the yolks and the 2 remaining whole eggs to the butter mixture. Stir in the vanilla and water.

Step 3

In another bowl, sift together the baking powder and flour. Add these dry ingredients to the creamed mixture.

Step 4

Whip 3 egg whites until they are foamy. Add 1 tablespoon sugar. Continue to whip the whites until they are stiff, but not dry. Fold whipped whites into batter.

Step 5

Pour the batter into a greased 10 x 4 inch tube pan. Wrap a large coin in foil, and place the coin in the batter. Press the coin down; it should be completely hidden. Sprinkle the nuts and seeds on top of the batter.

Step 6

Bake the cake for about 70 minutes, or until done. Cool on a wire rack.