Vasilopita (New Year Bread)

This traditional Greek Vasilopita is a rich, aromatic sweet bread essential for New Year's Eve celebrations. Infused with warm cinnamon and delicate mastiha, it features a soft, tender crumb and a golden, glossy crust. The dough is enriched with melted butter and eggs, creating a luxurious texture that pairs beautifully with coffee or tea. Traditionally baked with a hidden coin, the person who finds it in their slice is said to have luck in the coming year. While it requires patience for rising, the result is a fragrant, comforting loaf that brings family together. Serve it fresh from the oven or stored for a few days, as the flavors deepen with time. This recipe captures the authentic taste of Greek holidays, making it a memorable centerpiece for your festive table.

Cooking Method: Baking

Cuisine: Greek

Courses: Baked Goods

Difficulty: Advanced

Servings: 4

Calories: 1473.7

Dietary: Vegetarian

Description

This traditional Greek Vasilopita is a rich, aromatic sweet bread essential for New Year's Eve celebrations. Infused with warm cinnamon and delicate mastiha, it features a soft, tender crumb and a golden, glossy crust. The dough is enriched with melted butter and eggs, creating a luxurious texture that pairs beautifully with coffee or tea. Traditionally baked with a hidden coin, the person who finds it in their slice is said to have luck in the coming year. While it requires patience for rising, the result is a fragrant, comforting loaf that brings family together. Serve it fresh from the oven or stored for a few days, as the flavors deepen with time. This recipe captures the authentic taste of Greek holidays, making it a memorable centerpiece for your festive table.

Directions

1
Dissolve the active dry yeast in 1/4 cup of the lukewarm milk.
2
Add the remaining milk, beaten eggs, grated orange rind, and caster sugar to the yeast mixture.
3
Sift 3 cups of plain flour, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground masticha into a large warm bowl.
4
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the yeast mixture.
5
Stir to blend in the flour, gradually adding the warm melted butter until a dough forms.
6
Mix the dough with your hands until it comes away from the sides of the bowl.
7
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, adding the remaining flour as needed.
8
Knead for 10 minutes to develop the gluten.
9
Place the ball of dough in a clean bowl brushed with a little melted butter.
10
Turn the dough over to coat the top with butter and cover the bowl with a cloth or plastic wrap.
11
Let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk.
12
Punch down the dough and turn it onto a lightly floured surface.
13
Knead lightly and shape into a round loaf.
14
Place the loaf on a large greased baking sheet or in a greased 25 cm (10 inch) deep cake tin.
15
Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled again, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
16
Glaze the top with the well-beaten egg reserved for glazing.
17
Arrange blanched almonds on top to denote the New Year (e.g., 2024), pressing them in lightly.
18
Bake in a moderately hot oven for 45 minutes until golden brown and cooked through when tested.
19
If the bread browns too quickly, place a piece of greased brown paper on top.
20
Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4 cups

Amount Per Serving
Calories 1473.7kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 28.3g44%
Saturated Fat 16.3g82%
Cholesterol 65.7mg22%
Sodium 1568.2mg66%
Total Carbohydrate 269.3g90%
Dietary Fiber 9.2g37%
Sugars 48.4g
Protein 31.4g63%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/vasilopita-new-year-bread/