Traditional Greek Fanouropita – Easy Lenten Cake with 7 Ingredients

This traditional Greek Fanouropita is a simple, aromatic cake made with just 7 ingredients. Prepared in honor of Saint Fanourios, it is a beloved Lenten dessert that is naturally egg-free and dairy-free, making it suitable for fasting periods and vegan diets.

With the fragrance of orange juice, zest, cinnamon, and a hint of clove, every bite of this moist cake brings a taste of Greek monastery tradition. The addition of raisins adds sweetness and texture, while a dusting of powdered sugar gives it a festive finish. Best of all, this Fanouropita requires no mixer and comes together in just minutes, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced bakers.

Traditional Greek Fanouropita – Easy Lenten Cake with 7 Ingredients

Recipe by George Zolis

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: DessertCuisine: GreekDifficulty: Easy

Servings

16

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

1

hour 

5

minutes

Calories

295

kcal

Total time

1

hour 

20

minutes

A traditional Greek Fanouropita made with 7 simple ingredients. Moist, aromatic, and egg-free, this no-mixer cake is perfect for Lent, holidays, or everyday enjoyment.

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Ingredients

Metric US

• 480 g 480 Orange Juice

• Zest of 2 Oranges

• 350 g 350 Sugar

• 230 g 230 Olive Oil

• 150 g 150 Raisins

• 2 tsp 2 Ground Cinnamon

• 1 pinch 1 Ground Clove

• 750 g 750 Self-rising Flour

• Powdered Sugar, for dusting

How to make the Fanouropita

• Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F), conventional heat.
• In a blow stir the raisins with a bit of the orange juice.
• In a large bowl, combine the remaining orange juice, sugar, olive oil, orange zest, clove, and cinnamon. Mix well.
• Toss the raisins with a small amount of flour.
• Add the remaining flour to the wet mixture and stir until combined.
• Fold in the raisins gently with a spatula.
• Line a 30×30 cm (12×12 inch) or 25×35 cm (10×14 inch) baking pan with parchment paper.
• Spread the batter evenly into the pan.
• Bake on the lower rack for 60–70 minutes, until firm and golden.
• Allow the cake to cool completely, then dust with powdered sugar.

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🍊 The Tradition of Fanouropita

Fanouropita is one of the most well-known fasting cakes in Greece, baked on August 27th to honor Saint Fanourios, the patron saint of lost things. According to tradition, families prepare this cake with either 7 or 9 ingredients — numbers that carry symbolic meaning in Greek Orthodox faith. Today, Fanouropita is also enjoyed year-round as a wholesome, vegan-friendly dessert that requires no eggs or dairy.

🧁 Why This Recipe Works

What makes this Fanouropita special is its simplicity. Using just orange juice, olive oil, sugar, and self-rising flour as a base, it produces a moist and fragrant cake with very little effort. The warm spices — cinnamon and clove — combined with the natural sweetness of raisins, make it a dessert that feels both comforting and festive. Since no mixer is required, anyone can prepare it in just minutes.

🌿 Variations and Serving Ideas

While this recipe is traditional, you can adapt it to your taste. Try adding chopped walnuts for crunch, or sprinkle sesame seeds on top before baking for a rustic touch. Serve slices of Fanouropita with Greek coffee, tea, or even a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream for a modern twist.