Vasilopita is the Greek New Year cake that traditionally contains a hidden coin.
The cake is named after Saint Basil, or Agios Vasileios, whose feast day is celebrated in Greece on January 1. Families cut the cake at New Year, often making symbolic portions for religious figures, the household, and family members. The person whose slice contains the coin is traditionally believed to receive good luck for the coming year.
Recipes vary by region and family. Vasilopita may be a sweet yeast bread, a cake flavored with citrus, or another local preparation. A coin is wrapped carefully before being placed inside so that it can be found safely when the cake is cut.
Vasilopita is sometimes confused with tsoureki, a braided Greek Easter bread. The defining feature here is not one fixed recipe but the New Year custom of hiding the coin and sharing the cake.