Vasilopita is the coin-filled New Year's cake traditionally served in Greece and named after Saint Basil.
The cake is prepared for New Year's Day and is associated with Saint Basil, whose feast day is celebrated in Greece on January 1. A coin is traditionally hidden inside the baked cake. When the vasilopita is cut, the person who receives the slice containing the coin is believed to have good luck for the year.
The cutting often follows a formal order. A household may dedicate the first slice to Christ, the second to the house, and further slices to family members or guests. Businesses, clubs, and other organizations can hold their own ceremonies, sometimes cutting a separate cake for the group.
Recipes vary by region and family. Some versions resemble a sweet bread, while others are closer to a cake flavored with citrus, spices, or mahleb. The coin is usually wrapped carefully before baking to make it hygienic and safe. Vasilopita is not the same as tsoureki, the braided Easter bread also common in Greek cuisine.