Vasilopita is the Greek New Year’s cake traditionally baked with a hidden coin inside.
The cake is cut at midnight or on New Year’s Day, and the person who finds the coin is believed to receive good luck for the year. Families often make separate symbolic cuts for religious figures, the household, and individual family members.
The name means “Saint Basil’s pie” or “Saint Basil’s cake,” linking the custom to Saint Basil’s feast day on January 1 in the Greek Orthodox tradition. Recipes differ: some versions resemble a sweet bread, while others are closer to a citrus-flavored cake.
The coin is usually wrapped or protected before being placed in the batter. Because a hidden metal object can be a choking or dental hazard, modern bakers may use a carefully wrapped coin or another safe marker and warn diners before serving.