You must try this traditional Greek cake which is cut and served after midnight on New Year’s eve to celebrate Saint Basil and the arrival of the new year.
As custom has it, a coin or charm is inserted into the cake and whoever finds it in their slice will have good luck for the entire year.
Soften butter then mix with sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Then add milk, brandy, baking powder, orange zest and finally the flour.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes
Place stencils for the year i.e. 2023 on the cake and sprinkle powdered sugar over the entire top side of the cake. Remove the stencils and the year will appear.
Alternatively, you can use walnuts or almonds to write out the year, but you would have to do that before you cook the cake.
Finally, turn the cake upside down and place a coin upright towards the outer rim of the cake. Then spin the cake a few times so you don't know where you have placed the coin.
Note: You can replace the Brandy with Cointreau or any other orange flavored liqueur.
A special thank you to my cousin Soula for sharing her recipe with me.
