Ingredients: |
Ingredients: 2/3 c. unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 c. sugar
3 extra large eggs, room temperature
3/4 c. orange juice, freshly squeezed
rind from 1 large orange
1/2 c. milk, warm
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 c. unbleached white flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
a pinch of vanilla powder crystals
1 tsp. ground mahalepi (mahlab) (found in Greek or Middle Eastern stores)
blanched almonds
honey
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Directions: |
Directions:Whip butter and sugar with a stand mixer on high speed until fluffy for 5 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg is added.
Blend orange juice with orange rind in an electric blender and pour into pitcher. Add milk and vanilla and stir to blend.
Set speed of stand mixer to low. Slowly add orange juice mixture to butter mixture and mix to combine.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla crystals, and ground mahalepi (mahlab).
Fit stand mixer with flat beater attachment. Set speed on low, add flour mixture to rest of ingredients, mix until combined 1 minute.
Preheat oven to 350º.
Butter two 9 x12 pans. Turn mixture into pan and add a medium sized coin wrapped in aluminum foil in each pan. Level with a spatula. Decorate bread with almonds all around the top. With remaining almonds, write the new year's number in the middle of the bread. Bake in the middle of the oven for about 40 minutes. Test with toothpick to make sure it is completely baked. Let cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with honey on top.
The tradition of Saint Basil’s Bread dates to the fourth century, when St. Basil the Great, the father of philanthropy, wanted to distribute money to the poor in his diocese. He commissioned some women to bake sweetened bread, in which he placed gold coins. Thus the poor families in cutting the bread to nourish themselves were pleasantly surprised to find the coins. This custom is kept to this day among Orthodox Christians, who on Saint Basil’s Day, January 1st, place gold coins inside a loaf of sweetened bread in honor of the Saint’s care for the poor. The one who finds the coin in his or her piece will have good luck in the new year. |
This recipe for Vasilopita (Greek New Years Bread/St. Basil's Bread) is from