Vasilopita (Orange Sweet Bread) Recipe

Vasilopita (Orange Sweet Bread) Recipe

  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 (.25 ounce) packages rapid-rise yeast
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted margarine (such as Fleischmann's®), melted
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 orange, zested
  • 7 cups bread flour, or more as needed
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 2 coins wrapped in aluminum foil
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  1. Mix orange juice, water, and cinnamon in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave until the mixture registers 110 degrees F (43 degrees C) on an instant-read thermometer, 1 to 2 minutes.
  2. Stir yeast into the orange juice mixture. Let stand until yeast is creamy and frothy, about 45 minutes.
  3. Combine sugar and margarine in the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat until creamy. Add eggs; beat on high speed for 30 seconds. Mix in yeast mixture and orange zest until well combined.
  4. Sift flour, salt, and baking powder together in a bowl. Add gradually to the mixture in the stand mixer, mixing with a bread hook until a soft, sticky dough forms, about 5 minutes.
  5. Transfer dough to a large glass bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 2 to 4 hours.
  6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 2 round cake pans.
  7. Divide dough into 2 equal pieces. Put 1 wrapped coin in each piece; knead for 2 to 3 minutes and shape into a ball. Place 1 ball of dough in each cake pan. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise until puffy, 2 to 4 hours more.
  8. Whisk egg white and vanilla together in a small bowl. Brush over the top of dough.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven until a knife inserted into the center comes out with a few crumbs attached, 30 to 55 minutes.