A coin is hidden inside Greece’s New Year cake, vasilopita, to bring luck to the finder.
Vasilopita is traditionally cut around New Year’s Day in honor of Saint Basil, whose feast day is celebrated on January 1 in Greece. Before the cake is served, a coin called the flouri is concealed inside it.
Slices may be assigned to Christ, the household, family members, guests, or other symbolic recipients. The person who finds the coin is traditionally expected to receive good fortune during the coming year, and many families also give that person a small gift.
Recipes differ by region and household. Vasilopita may be a sweet bread or cake flavored with ingredients such as orange or mahleb. The hidden coin is the defining lucky object, not a decorative topping.