Vasilopita is the Greek New Year's pastry that may contain a hidden coin for the lucky finder.
The name means “Saint Basil's pie,” and the cake is traditionally associated with Saint Basil's Day on January 1. Families cut the vasilopita at the New Year, often assigning pieces to household members, guests, and sometimes symbolic recipients such as the home or the church.
A coin is baked into the pastry before serving. Whoever finds it is traditionally believed to receive good luck for the coming year. Recipes vary by region and family: some versions are sweet cakes, while others resemble richer breads or savory pies. The surface may be decorated with the year in icing or nuts.
Although the cake is served at the New Year, the custom is linked to New Year's Day as well as New Year's Eve gatherings. Vasilopita is sometimes confused with tsoureki, a sweet Greek Easter bread, but the hidden-coin tradition is the defining feature of this New Year pastry.