Vasilopita is the Greek New Year's cake that traditionally hides a coin associated with good fortune.
The cake is served around New Year's Day in Greece and in Greek communities worldwide. A coin, called the flouri, is concealed inside before baking or inserted afterward. The person who receives the slice containing it is traditionally believed to have luck for the coming year.
The name refers to Saint Basil, whose feast day is celebrated on January 1 in the Greek Orthodox tradition. Families may cut symbolic portions for religious figures, the household, absent members, or the home before distributing slices to guests. Recipes vary by region and family.
Vasilopita is not always a single standardized cake. It may resemble a sweet bread, pound cake, or citrus-flavored cake, depending on local practice. The important identifying feature is the hidden coin and the New Year's ceremony surrounding the cutting.