Vasilopita, Santa Claus Pie or New Year’s Bread, is considered a sacred tradition in many Greek Orthodox homes and the care with which it is made is said to ensure the well-being of the home in the year to come. Only the purest and most expensive ingredients are used.The bread is often decorated with pieces of dough formed into representations of the family’s life (star, boats, animals, etc.).
Our recipe used to baked from the Greeks which leaved in Minor Asia in Smyrna.
Separate the yolks from the egg whites and tip the egg whites into a large metallic bowl.
Beat them until the mixture resembles a fluffy cloud.
Mix and beat the butter and sugar until light in color and fluffy for 5 minutes.
Beat in the eggs, one at a time and then the brandy.
We dissolve the baking soda into the orange juice and add it in the mixture of butter-eggs.
Add the meringue and stirring slowly and gently.
Continue by adding the flour until dough is soft and elastic and doesn’t stick to the hand.
On a lightly buttered baking pan, shape the bread into one circular loaf, about 12 inches in diameter.
Use small pieces of dough to create designs like a star shape and set it on the surface.
Dilute the yolk with one teaspoon of water and brush your “Vasilopita” evenly over the surface before baking to get that beautiful golden colour. Scatter with sesame seeds.
Bake in a preheated oven, at 175 degrees for 50 minutes or until lightly browned and golden. Don’t under-cook it or it may be squidgy in the middle
Tips
The quantity of flour we will need, may be 680 to 720 g so that the dough has a biscuit texture.
An excellent semi-dry wine with the distinctive aromas of the White small-berried Muscat. The beneficial effect of the summer Aegean breeze on the semi-mountainous vineyards and the dry-stone terraces of Samos helps the charismatic Muscat generously give a wine with intense but harmonious fruity aromas, soft and velvety flavor and long lasting aftertaste.
