Vasilopita - Greek New Years Cake

Ingredients and Weight:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)
• 1 small piece of dried orange peel or lemon peel (optional)

Preparation Time:

• Preparation Time: 1 hour
• Cooking Time: 30-40 minutes

Difficulty Level:

Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
4. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a smooth dough forms.
5. Stir in the chopped walnuts or almonds and the dried orange or lemon peel (if using).
6. Pour the dough into a greased 9-inch round cake pan.
7. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Allow the cake to cool before slicing and serving.

Nutritional Information: (Per serving, assuming the cake is cut into 8 pieces)

• Calories: 350-400 (depending on the added ingredients)
• Fat: 15-20g
• Carbohydrates: 50-60g
• Protein: 5-7g

Dish Characteristics:

• This Greek New Year's cake is a circular shaped cake, symbolizing continuity and renewal.
• The cake has a rich and buttery texture with a slight crunch from the nuts.
• It has a sweet and vanilla-like flavor, which is enhanced by the dried fruit peels (if using).

User Comments:

1. "This cake was delicious! The flavor was amazing, and I loved the crunch from the walnuts." - John Doe
2. "I made this for New Year's Eve and it was a hit! Everyone loved it." - Jane Smith
3. "I added some cocoa powder to make it richer and it worked really well." - Michael Johnson

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Make sure to grease the cake pan well to ensure the cake doesn't stick.
• Check the cake after 30 minutes of baking, as ovens may vary. Use a toothpick to test if it's done.
• This cake is best served warm or at room temperature. You can reheat it slightly before serving if needed.