Ev's Vasilopita

This year, i used my standard pound cake recipe and adapted it for vasilopita. it is traditional to place a coin, signifying good luck and prosperity in the new year, in the vasilopita. whoever finds it in their piece will be blessed! as i don't like my vasilopita too sweet, i use a lesser amount of sugar in mine. feel free to make it sweeter.

Steps

Also will need: 1 coin washed and wrapped in aluminum foil.

Preheat oven to 350f.

Butter and flour a 12-inch round pan or springform pan generously.

Beat butter with sugar until light-coloured and fluffy , about 4-5 minutes.

Beat in vanilla extract , baking powder , salt , cognac.

Beat in eggs , one at a time , until incorporated.

Beat in flour on low speed , a cupful at a time , until incorporated.

Towards the end , when the batter is starting to get very thick and you think your mixer is going to break down , add the buttermilk , orange juice and zest , alternately with the remaining flour , until everything is incorporated and distributed.

Add the nuts and incorporate.

Drop the foil-wrapped coin into the batter and empty the batter into your prepared pan.

Bake for anywhere from 1 1 / 2 hours to 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Cover cake pan loosely with a piece of foil if cake is browning too fast.

Do the toothpick test to ensure the cake has baked.

Remove , allow to cool 1 / .

Ingredients

butter, sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, salt, cognac, extra-large eggs, flour, buttermilk, orange, juice and zest of, baking soda, nuts