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Nine Greek Vasilopita Options for the New Year

Nine Vasilopitas for the Greek New Year
Vasilopita. Public Domain

It’s always a great idea to welcome the New Year with delicious homemade vasilopita that can come in for sweet and savory recipes. All of them are equally delicious and belong to the Greek festive season. Bake them yourself and, no matter what taste you prefer best, don’t forget to hide a coin inside!

Sweet varieties of Vasilopita

In its most rigorous version, Vasilopita comes disguised as a cake, prepared either with butter or with the more traditional olive oil and sometimes including ingredients such as mastic and exotic spices like mahleb. This kind of Vasilopita often resembles brioche-style preparations and is similar to tsoureki in taste.

Vasilopita with nuts, fruit, and spices

This is a very aromatic kind of Vasilopita, with a nice texture. It’s made richer thanks to the addition of nuts and dried fruits such as raisins. A generous use of spices plays a key role in the fragrance of this pie. This cake is ideal for the cold season.

Vasilopita with dried fruits and chocolate

Dried black raisins, dried figs, and delicious apricots blend perfectly well in the mixture of this Vasilopita to give it a unique flavor. For an extra touch of sweetness, add some dark chocolate chips.

Vasilopita with orange

Oranges, lemons, and clementines fit really well in winter pastries. So, nothing better than orange juice and zest to the more festive winter cake of all. An extra pungent touch can be given by grating the peel of a fresh lemon to the batter. A simple decoration made of honey and orange peel brings out the natural aromas of the cake.

Vasilopita brioche

This beloved version of the Vasilopita can be slightly changed using brown sugar, or less white sugar, as well as eggs. The result will be a very light version of the traditional tsoureki but so tasty that it won’t probably last until the next year!

Vasilopita with olive oil, honey, and tahini

The use of tahini gives an extra twist to this dessert. The paste of sesame seeds adds a creamy consistency which is also enhanced by the texture of Greek honey. The mixture results in a naturally sweet cake that everybody loves. Sprinkle some almonds on top for superb aromas and a “crunchy” effect.

Vasilopita with citrus and white glaze

This is a rather easy version of the pie but with a very fragrant aroma. This cake has a very delicate taste made even softer with white glazing on top that adds a touch of class to your table!

Savory varieties of Vasilopita

Saint Basil pies aren’t always sweet. In several regions around Greece, for instance in Thessaly, Epirus or in western Macedonia, this dish is savory and can include fillings that mix rice, greens, and dried grapes, as well as minced meat, cheese, sauerkraut or chicken.

Pontian style Vasilopita

A rather uncommon Vasilopita coming from the Pontic tradition. This is a pie normally stuffed with different varieties of cheese. Among the traditional ones, mizythra cheese and kefalotyri. Lots of sesame seeds for decoration.

Chicken Vasilopita from Thessaly

This delicious Vasilopita comes from the region of Thessaly. Traditionally, this kotopita also includes onions, tomatoes and abundant use of cinnamon, which adds a unique touch to the final flavor.

Prasokreatopita or Vasilopita from Macedonia

This wonderful winter pie combines minced meat and leeks. To make it even richer, some love to include smoked sausages and a light mix of fragrant spices. This traditional pie from Macedonia gets stuffed with a coin when they cook it for New Year’s Eve. For a more exotic dinner, it’s a good idea to add a handful of raisins and toasted pine nuts, as well as a touch of lemongrass.

Related: Vasilopita Recipe: Greek New Year’s Cake

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