Vasilopita is the coin-bearing cake traditionally served in Greece at New Year’s celebrations. A coin, called the flouri, is hidden inside the cake, and the person who finds it is traditionally considered especially fortunate for the coming year.
The cake is named after Saint Basil, whose feast day is celebrated on January 1 in the Greek Orthodox tradition. Families cut the cake in a prescribed order that may include the household, Saint Basil, the home and individual family members. The custom varies by region and family.
Vasilopita can be prepared as a sweet bread, a cake or another regional baked form. It is often flavored with citrus, mastiha or mahlepi, though recipes differ. The hidden coin should be placed carefully and diners are warned about it, because the prize is symbolic and a hard metal object can be a choking or dental hazard.