Vasilopita is the Greek New Year's cake that hides a coin whose finder is said to receive good luck.
The cake is named for Saint Basil, or Agios Vasilios, whose feast day is celebrated in Greece on January 1. Families cut the cake around New Year, often making symbolic portions for Christ, the household, and family members before serving individual slices. The person who finds the hidden coin is traditionally considered fortunate for the coming year.
Recipes vary by region and family. Vasilopita may resemble a sweet bread or a dense cake, and it can be flavored with citrus, mahleb, or other ingredients. The coin is wrapped carefully before baking or inserted afterward so that it remains hygienic and does not damage anyone's teeth.
The custom is sometimes compared with other European cakes containing a lucky object, but vasilopita is specifically tied to the Greek New Year and Saint Basil. It is not the same pastry as tsoureki, the braided sweet bread most associated with Easter.