St. Basil's Feastday

Every day on New Year's Eve we bake our Vasilopita's (St. Basil's Bread). We make one for our home and then we make a few that we give out. Ace's favorite part is wrapping the coin in tinfoil and dropping it in the cake. Tradition says whoever finds the coin in their piece of the cake will have a special blessing from St. Basil in the upcoming new year.

We use these coins that we bought from Greece several years back. You can buy them online here.

We also give each other a gift that we made ourselves on St. Basil's Day to remember his works of charity. I'd love to find an actual charity event that we could get involved in. I've been talking with someone from a local shelter and am hoping that we are able to help out there in some way.

One year when my sister was newly-married, her mother-in-law Maria (who is an incredible cook) brought a Vasilopita over and it was the most delicious one I've ever tasted! So we've used her recipe ever since and it never disappoints!

I wanted to share it with you guys in case anyone was in search of the perfect St. Basil's Day Bread recipe! It makes quite a few depending on which size pans you use. If you're only making them for yourself you'll want to cut this recipe in half.

Vasilopita Recipe

• Ingredients:
• 2 cups (1 lb.) unsalted butter
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 5 cups sugar
• 12 eggs, separated
• 4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sugar, on the side
• 6 cups flour
• 4 tsp. baking powder
• 4 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
• 2 cups crushed, toasted almonds

Directions:

1. Cream butter, oil, and 5 cups sugar sugar for 10 minutes. Add yolks and flavorings, beat until fluffy.
2. Alternate adding all dry ingredients (except salt) and yogurt.
3. In separate bowl, beat whites and salt ntil foamy. Add 1/2 cup sugar. Beat until stiff meringue forms. Fold into 1st mixture so it stays fluffy.
4. Pour into greased pan 16 x 11 pan or 14" round. Add sliced almonds on top. Bake @ 325 degrees for 15 minutes, then add coin. Continue baking for additional 30 minutes.

Enjoy!!

I also recently ran across this awesome story for kids about the Vasilopita tradition from Highlights Kids. Be sure to check it out! I think your little ones will love it! If the recipe I use sounds like too much work, they also have a link to a much simpler (though probably less tasty) :) recipe on their site.

illustration by Janice Fried via Highlights Kids

I love how the Papou is playing the bouzouki and the kids are dancing around the fire. The leader is even holding the napkin in his hand! It's so Greek! :)

I think if Ace was in school I would print the story out and give it to his teacher. Wouldn't it be nice to have one of our Orthodox traditions taught to their class? It is written in such a neutral and educational "Highlights" kind of style that I don't think a teacher would object!

This book is also available from Light-n-Life Publications. It's a great book to read to your little one on the celebration of Agios Vasilios!What kind of St. Basil's traditions do you have?