Vasilopita New Years Traditional Bread

Vasilopita New Years Traditional Bread – A cherished recipe that brings good fortune and sweet memories each New Year’s Day.

For years, I struggled to find the perfect Vasilopita recipe, but after many attempts, this one became my go-to every New Year’s. It’s simple to prepare without any hassle, similar to making Tsoureki but with a special twist in its shape. Each year, we place a foiled coin inside the bread before baking, symbolizing good fortune for the upcoming year. On New Year’s Day, the bread is sliced and distributed among everyone present. The person who finds the coin in their slice is believed to have good luck and receives an extra $20 from Pappou.

Here’s a video tutorial:

Below, you’ll find the video of Pappou cutting the Vasilopita. Sadly, he passed away a year later, making this tradition all the more precious to our family.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Anne's Appetite (@annesappetite)

Vasilopita – Greek New Years Traditional Bread

Make 1 Med-Large Vasilopita

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

Yeast Mixture

• 20 g Dry Yeast or 55g Fresh Yeast
• 1 tbsp Caster Sugar
• 100 g Lukewarm Water
• 75 g Plain Flour

Dough Mixture

• 750 g Plain Flour
• 200 g Caster Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 180 ml Lukewarm Milk
• 75 ml Fresh Orange Juice
• 10 g Mahlepi Spice
• 10 g Vanilla Sugar
• Zest of Half an Orange
• 50 g Softened Butter

Method

 

1. Prepare the Yeast Mixture:
2. In a bowl, combine dry yeast (or fresh yeast), caster sugar, lukewarm water, and plain flour. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes.
3. If the mixture becomes foamy on top after 10 minutes, your yeast is active and ready to use. If it's flat and lacks bubbles, discard it and start again with fresh yeast.

Make the Dough:

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, milk, and orange juice.
2. Sift flour, mahlepi, vanilla sugar, and orange zest into another bowl.
3. Combine the flour mixture with the wet mixture, then add the yeast mixture. Gradually mix with your hands to form a soft dough.
4. Knead softened butter into the dough until smooth.

First Rise:

1. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm area for 2 hours.

Shape and Add the Coin:

1. Punch the dough down, then add a foiled coin into the centre of the dough.
2. Reshape the dough into a lightly oiled baking tin. Let it rise again for another 1.5 hours.

Prepare for Baking:

1. Crack an egg and brush the top of the risen dough. Sprinkle with almonds and sesame seeds.

Bake

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C fan. Bake for 25 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 140°C and cook for another 20 minutes.

FAQs: Vasilopita Recipe