Fanouropita (φανουροπιτα)





Greeks honor Saint Fanourios on August 27.  To celebrate, I made this cake for my students who asked me to post the recipe. In the Greek Orthodox faith, Saint Fanourios (Άγιος Φανούριος), (also Phanourios, Fanurius, Fanourios, Phanurius, Phanourius) is known  for assisting the faithful in revealing lost or hidden spiritual matters, directing or revealing paths that should be taken, and helping people find lost items. When the item or path is found, the faithful make this cake in his honor, and bring it to their local church for a blessing. The name Fanourios comes from the Greek verb fanerono (φανερώνω) which means to reveal itself.



Regardless of your religious beliefs, this is a great cake for a coffee break or teatime. Variations exist, but it is traditional to make it with seven or nine ingredients, because those numbers are believed to have spiritual significance. It can also be made in  advance and frozen.



3 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, reserving a teaspoon to grease pan

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup chopped walnuts

1 teaspoon vanilla

5 oranges - 1 zested, juice from 5

Powdered sugar for topping



Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and walnuts. Mix well to combine

Stir in olive oil, vanilla, orange juice and zest.  Mix well until batter is formed.

Grease a 10-inch cake pan with the teaspoon of olive oil.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, until cake is lightly golden, begins to remove from sides, and toothpick comes out clean.

Let cool slightly, top with powdered sugar and serve.

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