Greek Vasilopita With Chocolate And Walnuts

Many countries have their own traditions when it comes to welcoming the New Year. In Greece, we make Vasilopita, which can be a sweet bread or cake, or in some regions, even a savory pie. In all cases, a lucky coin is hidden inside. The Vasilopita is then sliced and served to each family member and guest present. Whoever finds the coin is said to have good luck for the entire year ahead.

In this recipe, I’m sharing with you a Vasilopita cake that is filled with chopped nuts and chocolate. So aromatic, moist and tasty that everyone is going to love. If you are looking though for a more traditional recipe, check out one of my older recipes of Vasilopita with orange and mastiha which is equally tasty and aromatic.

Ingredients & How-to

To make this Greek New Years cake we are going to need all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, butter, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, orange, walnuts and chocolate.

• Butter: I’m using unsalted butter that I’ve taken out of the fridge a couple of hours before starting. We want the butter to be soft and at room temperature, as this helps it mix smoothly into the batter.
• Orange: I’m using the zest from one orange that will make the vasilopita more aromatic. That’s around 1-1.5 tablespoons of zest.
• Walnuts: Instead of walnuts, you could also use almonds or a mix of both.
• Chocolate: I like to use a dark chocolate bar to get a stronger chocolate flavor. You could also use chocolate chips or a semi-sweet chocolate.

For full quantities check the recipe down below.

01. I start by mixing the sugar and soft butter until they become creamy for 3-4 minutes. You could use a hand or stand mixer.

02. Then I add the eggs, one at a time. I add each egg, then use the mixer to combine with the butter and sugar until it’s incorporated before moving to the next one.

03. Next, I add the vanilla extract and orange zest to the bowl. I mix everything for a few seconds until combined.

04. I add the flour to a big bowl and add the baking powder and salt to it. With a spoon, I gently mix to incorporate them with the flour.

05. I add half of the flour to the batter and start incorporating using a spatula or a mixer. Then I add the rest of the flour and the milk and gently mix to combine. Try not to overwork the batter.

06. You can use pre-chopped walnuts or chop them yourself with a knife. I prefer using a knife instead of a food processor so the walnuts don’t turn into a fine powder and still have a nice bite.

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07. Same with the chocolate. I’m using a chocolate bar and break it down to smaller bits with a knife. If you find it easier, you can use chocolate chips. I add both the nuts and chopped chocolate to the batter and gently mix.

08. I transfer the batter to a 9-inch round cake pan, lining the bottom with parchment paper and brushing the sides with butter.

09. Before placing the vasilopita in the oven, I tuck in a coin wrapped in foil, following the traditional custom of the lucky coin. Don’t worry if you forget this step, you can always add one after the cake is baked.

10. I leave the Vasilopita cake to cool down for 5 minutes before removing from the cake tin. Leave it then to cool down on a rack or plate before adding any decorations.

Tips

• Beat the sugar and butter until creamy before adding the other ingredients.
• Don’t overmix the batter after adding the flour.
• Make sure the oven is fully preheated before placing the vasilopita in.
• Chop the nuts and chocolate with a knife for a crunchy texture.
• Let the cake cool down completely before adding any decorations.
• Don’t forget to add the lucky coin before baking. Otherwise when the cake has cooled down, open a slit at the bottom with a pointy knife and place the coin in.

Serving suggestions

You can keep it simple and dust the Vasilopita cake with some powdered sugar, make a glaze with powdered sugar, vanilla and milk or melt some chocolate and spread it on top. Usually, we use some paper stencils or melted chocolate to write the new year number or a wish like ‘Καλή Χρονιά’ or ‘Happy New Year’.

Traditionally, the Vasilopita is cut on New Year’s Day or on New Year’s Eve right after the clock strikes midnight. The host of the house usually cuts the cake. The first piece is dedicated to Christ, the second to the house, and then one piece is cut for each member of the family.

If you have any leftovers of the Vasilopita, then you can have a slice in the morning with your coffee or serve it as a dessert after your meal.

Storage

Same as with most cakes, you can store Vasilopita on the countertop for up to 5–6 days. I like to cover it with a cake lid to keep it soft and moist. It’s also freezer-friendly for up to 2 months. You can cut it into individual slices and store them in freezer bags with some parchment paper between each slice, making them easy to thaw when needed.

FAQ

Can I leave out the nuts?