Vasilopeta

Lucky New Year's Bread
Portions:1 large loaf
Preparation Time: 1 hour
Cooking Time:40 minutes
Rising Time 2 hours 30 minutes
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Ingredients

  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • ½ cup warm water
  • ½ cup milk
  • cup butter
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tsp. grated orange peel
  • 1 tsp. grated lemon peel
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 3 cups unsifted all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg yolk mixed with 1 tbsp. water
  • Blanched almonds

Instructions

  • Sprinkle yeast into warm water and stir just enough to blend.
  • Let it stand until dissolved.
  • In a small pot, heat milk and butter together until the butter melts (be careful not to let it boil).
  • Transfer the mixture into a large bowl, add sugar, and cool to lukewarm.
  • Add eggs one at a time, beating with a fork or whisk until smooth.
  • Add the dissolved yeast.
  • Mix in orange peel, lemon peel, and salt.
  • Gradually add 3 cups of flour, beating on low with an electric mixer for 5 minutes.
  • Place the dough on a lightly floured board and knead until smooth and no longer sticky (about 5 to 10 minutes).
  • If necessary, knead in additional flour.
  • Place the dough in a large greased bowl and lightly grease the top with melted butter.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1½ hours).
  • Put the risen dough on a lightly floured board and knead lightly.
  • Optionally, place a washed silver coin in the dough.
  • Shape it into a round cake about 9 inches in diameter.
  • Place the dough on a greased baking sheet.
  • Cover and let it rise until doubled (about 40 minutes).
  • Preheat the oven to 325ºF.
  • Brush the egg yolk mixture evenly over the loaf.
  • Arrange almonds on top forming the numerals of the coming year.
  • Bake for 40 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Serve warm.

Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:

Greeks bake a coin inside this bread, and tradition holds that the person who gets the slice with the coin will have good luck in the coming year.

Wine Advice:

Pair this festive Lucky New Year’s Bread with a sweet dessert wine like Moscato or a Late Harvest Riesling. The wine’s sweetness will complement the bread’s rich and fruity flavors, creating a delightful combination. Cheers to a lucky and prosperous new year!
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Course Bread
Cuisine European / Greece
Holliday New years eve