Greek New Year Cake (Vasilopita-Style)

Name: Greek New Year Cake (Vasilopita-Style)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 10 to 12 slices
Cuisine: Greek-inspired
Ingredients: 375 g all-purpose flour; 200 g granulated sugar; 2 tsp baking powder; 4 whole large eggs; 240 ml olive oil; 240 ml orange juice; 120 g finely ground walnuts or almonds; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 120 g icing sugar; 2 tbsp water or orange juice; 1 pinch fine salt

A tender orange and nut cake inspired by Greek New Year celebrations.

By Hez ArslanUpdated October 2, 2026

Total 1 hr 30 minMakes 10 to 12 slices

Jump to Recipe

This vasilopita-style cake is scented with orange and vanilla, with ground nuts folded into the batter. The source describes a hidden coin, but placing a hard coin inside cake can create a choking or dental risk. Bake the cake without a coin; if your gathering observes that custom, use a clearly identified food-safe token placed beside a designated portion and tell everyone before serving. Let the cake cool before glazing. Heat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 23-cm round cake tin. Whisk flour, baking powder and salt. Beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale. Whisk in olive oil, orange juice and vanilla. Fold dry ingredients and ground nuts into wet mixture just until combined.

How to tell when it is ready

Cool 15 minutes in tin, then rack-cool. Stir icing sugar with water or orange juice to make a thick glaze and drizzle over the cooled cake.

Tips

Heat oven to 180°C (350°F).
Whisk flour, baking powder and salt.
Beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale.
Fold dry ingredients and ground nuts into wet mixture just until combined.

Troubleshooting

If cake browns early, cover loosely with foil.
If the centre is underbaked, return to oven for 5-minute intervals.

Substitutions

Use a neutral oil if olive oil flavour is too strong.
Use ground almonds instead of walnuts.

Variations

Add lemon zest.
Use chopped toasted almonds on top.

Serving suggestions

Serve with coffee.
Add orange segments.
Offer plain yoghurt.
Dust with icing sugar instead of glaze.

Make ahead

Prepare components ahead and store safely. Store covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.

Storage

Store covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.

Food safety

Do not bake a hard coin into the cake. If using a celebratory token, keep it separate from food and clearly alert guests.

Frequently asked questions

Can I add a coin to the cake?

For safety, do not bake a hard coin inside. Keep any food-safe token separate from the cake and clearly tell guests before serving.

How should I store greek new year cake (vasilopita-style)?

Store covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.

Serve with coffee. Store covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.

About the author

Hez Arslan

Hez Arslan owns feastdelights.com and also writes practical recipes for everyday home cooking, from familiar Ukrainian dishes to meals inspired by kitchens around the world. His clear, step-by-step guidance helps home cooks approach each recipe with confidence.

Greek New Year Cake (Vasilopita-Style)