Start the new year with a slice of vegan Vasilopita, a Greek good luck cake with a delightful hidden surprise. This unique New Year's tradition transforms any midnight celebration into a memorable moment as friends and family gather to discover who gets the lucky coin that promises good fortune for the year ahead.
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I love a good Bundt cake - they're so elegant yet unfussy, with their beautiful ridged patterns doing all the decorative work. You guys loved my popular vegan chocolate Bundt cake, so I wanted to create something that looks equally special, but has a fun New Year's twist. Enter, the Greek cake with a coin hidden inside - Vasilopita!
This vegan Vasilopita (Greek New Year's cake) keeps all the traditional flavors and symbolism while being completely plant-based. The aromatic orange zest and subtle mastiha spice create a deliciously festive cake that's perfect for your midnight celebration.
What Is Vasilopita?
Vasilopita is a cherished Greek New Year's tradition where families gather at midnight to share a sweet, aromatic cake with a hidden coin inside. The custom honors Saint Basil (Agios Vasilis), known for his generosity to the poor. The person who finds the coin in their slice of cake is said to have good fortune for the coming year.
Traditionally made with eggs, butter, and milk, I wanted to create a version that everyone could enjoy without sacrificing the cake's festive spirit. This vegan adaptation maintains the signature orange and mastiha flavors while using plant-based ingredients. The result is a tender, fragrant cake that honors this centuries-old tradition in a modern way.
The ritual of cutting and serving Vasilopita is just as important as the cake itself. The first slice is dedicated to Christ, the second to the household, and then pieces are distributed from oldest to youngest family member - a beautiful custom that brings families together as they welcome the New Year.
👨🍳How To Make Vegan Vasilopita
Step 1
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan, making sure to get into all the crevices.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 2
- In a large bowl, beat together oil and sugar until well combined. Add plant-based yogurt, plant milk, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
Step 3
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don't overmix.
Step 4
- Pour half the batter into the prepared Bundt pan. Insert the wrapped coin vertically into the batter (traditionally done while making the sign of the cross). Pour the remaining batter over the coin.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake may need slightly longer in a Bundt pan than a regular round pan.
Step 5
- Cool in the pan for 15 minutes (this is important for Bundt cakes to prevent sticking), then carefully invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, dust generously with powdered sugar. The ridges of the Bundt pan will create a beautiful pattern when dusted.
Top Tip
Mahlab and mastiha are traditional Greek spices that give Vasilopita its distinct flavor. Mahlab comes from cherry pits and adds a subtle cherry-almond note, while mastiha is a resin from mastic trees with a unique pine-vanilla flavor.
While optional, these spices are traditional and worth seeking out. You can find them at Greek or Middle Eastern markets, specialty spice shops, or online retailers like Kalustyan's or The Spice House. If you can't source them, the cake will still be delicious with just the vanilla and orange flavoring.
❄️Storage Instructions
Counter Storage: Store your Vasilopita in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. The cake stays fresh and moist when properly sealed, though the texture is best within the first 3 days.
Refrigerator Storage: While not ideal as refrigeration can dry out the cake, you can store it in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container. Let slices come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Freezer Storage: Vegan Vasilopita cake freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Wrap individual slices or the whole cake (without powdered sugar topping) tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. When ready to serve, thaw overnight at room temperature and dust with fresh powdered sugar before serving.
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📖 Recipe
Vegan Vasilopita - Greek New Year's Cake
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup neutral vegetable oil
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup plant-based yogurt soy or almond
- ½ cup plant milk
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon mahlab optional but traditional (see notes below)
- ¼ teaspoon ground mastiha optional (see notes below)
For Decoration
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- A clean coin wrapped in foil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan, making sure to get into all the crevices.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat together oil and sugar until well combined. Add plant-based yogurt, plant milk, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don't overmix.
- Pour half the batter into the prepared Bundt pan. Insert the wrapped coin vertically into the batter (traditionally done while making the sign of the cross). Pour the remaining batter over the coin.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake may need slightly longer in a Bundt pan than a regular round pan.
- Cool in the pan for 15 minutes (this is important for Bundt cakes to prevent sticking), then carefully invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, dust generously with powdered sugar. The ridges of the Bundt pan will create a beautiful pattern when dusted.
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