Gate to Greece > Greek Food > Sweets and Desserts > Fanourópita
Fanourópita
Spice cake without egg and butter
This cake is named after Saint Phanourios (or Fanourios), as it is made on the eve of St. Phanourios' day. Greeks make this also when they lose something, as Phanourios is the saint of the lost things.
It is made also during the Orthodox fasting periods, as it does not contain butter or egg.
It might not be as nice as with butter-and-egg rich cakes. On the other hand it is very easy to make and makes a nice accomaniment to tea.
Ingredients
| All-purpose flour | 400g |
| Vegetable oil | 200cc |
| Orange juice | 200cc |
| Sugar | 200cc |
| Brandy | 2 tsps |
| Baking soda | 1 tsp |
| Cinnamon powder | 1 tsp |
| All spice or clove powder | 1 tsp |
| Walnuts | Half cup (crashed) |
| Sultanas | half cup |
| Oil | litte (to oil the baking tin) |
| sesame seeds | 1 tsp (optional) |
Method
- Heat the oven to 180c°. Oil the baking tin
- Mix flour, baking soda, spice well, and shift once or twice
- Mix oil, orange juice, sugar so that the sugar disolves. In a glass or cup, disolve the soda in blandy
- Mix togather flour mixture and liquid mixutures; when it is uniform in consistency, mix in the walnuts and sultanas
- Pour in the mixture to a baking tin (you may sprinkle sesame seeds on surface, if you like) and bake it in oven for 30 to 40 min.
- You can test if it is done with a folk or skewer (stick it in the cake and pull it out; if nothing comes with it, it is done)
Tips
This recipe is based on the one in Greek cooking book published by Toubis publisher.The quantity of sugar, nuts, spice, and sultanas can be modified accoding to your taste. Instead of walnuts, you can use any nuts you like, almond, for example.
