This cake is usually made in Greece and other parts of the Balkans during the New Year. The name means "Basil's cake" since this festival is celebrated on January 1 according to the ritual of the Greek Orthodox Church. It is common to hide a coin in the dough that will give luck to whoever finds it.
It is quite easy to do although in Greece it is also common to find it in supermarkets and bakeries.
I give the measurements in 200 ml glasses - the usual glasses of water - which is exactly how it came to me and you know, if the pastry turns out well, do not change anything in the recipe.
INGREDIENTS ;
- 3 cups of wheat flour
- 1 cup of butter or margarine
- 3/4 of a cup of sugar
- Half a cup of sliced almonds
- 5 eggs
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
First we preheat the oven to 170 degrees (340 F)
In a bowl we mix the butter or margarine with the sugar with the help of the rods. We separate the whites from the yolks to 3 eggs and add the latter to the bowl. The two remaining eggs are added with both the white and the yolk.
When we have beaten well, we add the flour and yeast previously sifted to avoid lumps. Next we add the vanilla extract. We beat well until the dough is homogeneous.
We pour the dough into a circular mold and hide a very clean coin wrapped in silver foil. Sprinkle the sliced almond and sesame on top. We take it to the oven and keep it for 80 minutes or until when you stick a toothpick, it appears completely dry when you remove it.
Let it cool to room temperature and ready to eat.