NEW YEAR CAKE DESIGNS

A New Year's Cake Baked With Good Luck

---

Recipe: Vassilopita (New Year's Orange and Brandy Cake)

Makes one 10-inch round cake

    • 4 large eggs, separated
    • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
    • 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted, or a combination of butter and olive oil
    • 1 1/4 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
    • 1/2 cup brandy
    • 4 cups all-purpose flour
    • 4 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
    • grated zest of 1 orange
    • grated zest of 1 lemon
    • whole blanched almonds

Preheat the oven to 375 F.

Grease a 10-inch round cake pan. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until light yellow and creamy, about three minutes. Add the butter or butter and olive oil and beat for one minute more. Beat in the orange juice and brandy.

Whisk together the flour with the baking powder, baking soda, and the zests in another large bowl. Add to the yolk mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until incorporated.

In a large clean bowl, with clean beaters, beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Fold them into the batter. Pour the batter into the pan and shake gently to even the top. Decorate the top with the almonds.

Bake the cake for about one hour, or until it is golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack before removing from the pan and serving.