Vasilopita is the traditional Greek New Year’s cake that often contains a hidden coin.
Families cut vasilopita around New Year’s Day, and the person who finds the coin is traditionally considered lucky for the coming year. The cake is named after Saint Basil, whose feast day is celebrated in Greece on January 1.
A household may cut symbolic portions before serving everyone. These can be dedicated to Christ, the household, or absent family members, although the exact order and customs differ by region and family. The coin is carefully wrapped before baking or inserted after baking to make it safe and hygienic.
Vasilopita is not one single recipe. It may resemble a cake, sweet bread, or citrus-flavored loaf, and regional versions vary. The defining feature is the New Year association and the concealed coin, not a universal ingredient list or shape.