Vasilopita is the Greek New Year cake that traditionally contains a hidden coin for the person who finds it.
The cake is cut at New Year, often after midnight or on New Year’s Day. A coin, called a flouri, is baked into the cake before it is served. Whoever receives the slice containing it is traditionally considered fortunate for the coming year.
Vasilopita is named after Saint Basil the Great, whose feast day is celebrated in Greece on January 1. Recipes vary by region and family: some versions resemble a sweet bread, while others are more like a cake. The coin is hidden carefully and diners are warned to eat attentively.