Stumped by all of those complicated Fanouropita recipes you’re finding online? Don’t fret.
Akis Petretzikis, one of the most popular celebrity chefs in Greece, has you covered with his simple Fanouropita recipe and video instructions on his YouTube channel for a spectacular cake that includes fewer than nine ingredients.
Tradition holds that Fanouropita is made by people in honor of St. Fanourios, the saint dedicated to lost things who is celebrated annually in the Greek Orthodox Church on August 27.
St. Fanourios is believed to be a martyr and miracle worker and his name comes from the Greek word “fanerono” meaning “to reveal.”
In communities throughout the world, cakes are baked the night before August 27 and brought to church to be blessed by the priest.
Numerous traditions and stories exist as to the origins of the cake baking.
See below for the ingredient and instructions and watch his video (in Greek).
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups fresh orange juice
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
- 4 cups self-rising flour
- 1/3 cup raisins
- 1 1/5 cups granulated sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- icing sugar, for serving
- mint leaves, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 347 F.
- Use a hand whisk to beat the sugar, vegetable oil and 1 cup fresh orange juice in a large bowl, until the sugar melts.
- In a separate bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cups of orange juice with the baking soda, cinnamon and cloves. Mix with a fork until the baking soda froths.
- Add the baking soda mixture to the bowl with the sugar and whisk thoroughly.
- Add the flour, walnuts, salt and raisins. Mix until all of the ingredients are completely combined.
- Transfer to a 12×10 in baking pan and bake for 50-60 minutes.
- Serve with icing sugar and mint leaves.
