There’s something precious about a recipe passed down from one generation to another. Whether handwritten or, in this case, typewritten, it becomes a tangible symbol of a special relationship. This typewritten recipe for an “Easy Vasilopita” was given to Andrea, chair of our Traditional Attire & Decorative Arts Department, by her Nouna (Godmother), who was first generation Greek-American with roots in Sparta. Unsatisfied with her family’s practice of using boxed cake mix, Andrea was happy to upgrade to this simple but tasty cake-like vasilopita.
Easy Vasilopita
2 cups sugar
1/2 lb. butter
1 Tbsp shortening
1 cup milk
3 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
4 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
Confectioner’s sugar (for topping)
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Cream butter and shortening.
- Add sugar and continue to cream. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla.
- Add milk, baking powder, and flour, and mix well.
- Pour into a greased and floured pan and bake for one hour. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar and cool.
Use a bundt pan or springform pan.
