Recipes to Make with Kids: Vasilopita Cake

Looking for something to bake to celebrate the new year? Try this recipe for Greek New Year's Cake, also called Vasilopita Cake. It's a light, orange-flavored cake with a hidden coin inside!

Big thanks for Youth Helper Jake Mason for making this test batch and his mom Ashley Mason for the photograph!

Vasilopita Cake

(Greek New Year's Cake)

Ingredients

4 large eggs separated

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup granulated sugar

Zest of 1 orange

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Powdered sugar for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Grease a 9 inch springform pan or cake pan with butter or nonstick spray.


2. Separate the four eggs into whites and yolks.


3. Beat the egg whites in a stand mixer with a whisk attachment until stiff peaks form.


4. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.


5. In a large bowl, combine the sugar and orange zest. Beat with the butter until light and creamy.


6. Beat in the egg yolks, one at a time, until incorporated.


7. Slowly beat in the orange juice, followed by vanilla extract.


8. Fold in ⅓  of the beaten egg whites, followed by ⅓  of the flour mixture.


9. Continue with another ⅓  egg whites, ⅓ flour, then remaining egg whites and remaining flour just until no streaks remain. Take care to not deflate the egg whites.


10. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan.


11. Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Do not open the oven door until the cake is nearly done.


12. Once it is cool, release the pan and turn the cake upside-down on another plate. Wrap a coin, such as a quarter, in aluminum foil. Insert it in a random spot in the bottom of the cake, pushing it through carefully.

13. Turn cake back on top, dust with powdered sugar, and decorate with candy pieces.

Our Hoover, Alabama teacher, Jeni Warram, taught kids to make this at a recent baking class. The kids loved it! They got to zest oranges, get creative with their decorations, and enjoy some delicious cake (see below).

Happy Baking and Happy New Year!