St. Basil's Cake

This is a traditional recipe from Greece. It is made for New Years Eve, and is usually cut just before midnight.The person who gets the coin in his or her piece will have good luck in the upcoming year.

Serves 8-10

Ingredients:

10 Eggs, separated
8 ounces Butter
3 cups Sugar
2 ounces Brandy
3 Oranges
1 Lemon
1 1/2 Tablespoons Vanilla
6 1/2 cups Flour (self-rising)
1/2 cup Sesame seeds
1 Coin (wrapped in aluminum foil)

Directions:

Whip the egg whites until stiff.

Cream together the butter,sugar, and egg yolks. Fold into the whites.

Add the zest and juice of the oranges and lemon. Add the brandy and vanilla.

Sift the flour and add it to the mixture. Add the coin.

Grease and flour a round cake pan. Pour the mixture in.

Sprinkle on the sesame seeds.

Bake at 350°F for about an hour or until firm in the middle.

- Nick Sundberg http://www.emazing.com

Page created Anne Pemberton July 24, 2001. Edited Tue, June 3, 2003 . AP.