Vasilopita 2009

My first attempt at making Vasilopita

Al's Reduced Sugar Vasilopita

Jan 1, 2009

Just tasted it! Not bad for my first attempt. One would think that using only half the amount of sugar (regular recipes use about 2 cups sugar, whereas i used half cup brown sugar and half cup fructose sugar) would make quite a bland cake. But that was not the case, the aroma from the cake was really strong and it had a rich blend of flavors from the nuts, cinnamon, clove, cognac... and with the orange juice and zest, the cake was really 'festive' a nice change from the usual fruit cake and such. It was light without being boring. Not overly sweet, and the amount of butter was just right. I hope someone else would give it a try and let me know if you like it too!! Wikipedia description:Vasilopita is a traditional New Year's Day bread or cake in Greece and many other areas in eastern Europe and the Balkans which contains a hidden coin or trinket which gives good luck to the receiver. It is made of a variety of doughs, depending on regional and family tradition, including tsoureki.

SERVES 14 , 1 12 inch pan (change servings and units)

Ingredients

* 175 g butter, softened
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 4 eggs
* 400 g cake flour
* vanilla essence
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1.5 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup milk
* 1/2 cup orange juice ( i guess you could just juice the orange that you zested, if you dont get half a glass of orange juice from one orange then just add a little more milk to make up for it)
* 1/2 cup cognac
* 1 tablespoon orange zest / from 1 orange
* 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
* 1 clean washed coin wrapped tightly in aluminum foil
* 2 tablespoons icing sugar, topping

Instructions: ( i guess just use your usual method of baking a cake, i couldnt really read the instructions in greek so i didnt bother to follow the steps).

1. Just note that if you have a mixer - good for you, i did mine by hand, woe is me. And when i say 'cup' in measurement, i mean a regular coffee mug not dainty teacup.
2. Mix the sugar and butter till combined well, or sugar is melted.
3. add egg yolks, mix.
4. add sifted flour mixed with the baking powder and baking soda into mixture.
5. add milk, mix.
6. add orange juice, mix.
7. add cinnamon, vanilla, clove, salt, mix well.
8. fold in beaten stiff egg whites, cognac, orange zest, just just enough to combine.
9. add walnuts, mix.
10. line pan with baking paper - i didnt have to grease mine, but whatever floats your boat.
11. pour half the mixture in pan, drop the foil wrapped coin somewhere off-center and cover with remaining mixture.
12. bake in center of preheated oven - 175C for about 1 hour ( if it is browning too soon, move the tray to lower position).
13. Remove from pan to cool on rack.
14. Dust with icing sugar or glaze or ice as preferred.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 (139g)
Recipe makes 14 servings