Vasilopita

A Greek New Year's Bread.

Total Time

2 Hours

Servings

8

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup strong flour
• 6 cups strong flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups warm milk
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup milk, yeast and 1/2 cup flour. Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in size, about 1 hour.
2. Place 6 cups flour in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and add salt, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, 3/4 cup melted butter, 3 eggs and milk. Mix thoroughly to make a thick dough.
3. Scoop the dough into a lightly greased 8x8 inch baking pan. Brush dough with melted butter, cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 190°C.
5. When dough has risen, insert a clean silver coin into the loaf. Brush dough with beaten egg and sprinkle with chopped almonds. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 40 minutes.