Vasilopita is the Greek New Year’s cake traditionally baked with a hidden coin.
The cake is named for Saint Basil the Great, whose feast day is celebrated on January 1 in the Greek Orthodox tradition. During the New Year celebration, the cake is cut into portions for family members, guests, and sometimes symbolic recipients such as the household or church. The person who finds the coin is believed to receive special luck for the year.
Recipes vary by region and family. Some versions resemble a sweet bread, while others are closer to a moist cake flavored with citrus or spices. The coin is wrapped carefully before being mixed into the batter so it can be found safely.
Vasilopita is not the same as tsoureki, the braided sweet bread associated especially with Easter. Its defining New Year feature is the concealed coin and the ceremonial cutting on or around January 1.