Vegan Vasilopita - Greek New Year's Cake

Vegan Greek New Years Cake on a cake stand.

Vegan Vasilopita - Greek New Year's Cake

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.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 55

Total Time 1 10

Course Dessert

Cuisine Greek

Servings servings

Calories 390 kcal

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.

Notes

Note:

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 390kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 4gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.1gSodium: 182mgPotassium: 43mgFiber: 1gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 84mgIron: 2mg

Keyword vegan Greek New Years Cake, vegan Vasilopita

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