Fanouropita is a traditional Greek cake made in honor of Saint Phanourios, often prepared on August 27th. This monastery-style version uses just 9 simple ingredients, making it both easy and delicious. Flavored with orange juice, raisins, cinnamon, and cloves, it has a wonderfully moist and fluffy texture, topped with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Naturally dairy-free and egg-free, Fanouropita is a fasting-friendly cake that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends during celebrations — or simply enjoyed with coffee or tea.
Traditional Greek Fanouropita – Monastery-Style Orange & Raisin Cake with 9 Ingredients
16
servings10
minutes45
minutes340
kcal55
minutesTraditional Greek Fanouropita cake with orange, raisins, and spices. Monastery-style recipe with 9 ingredients — fluffy, fragrant, and dairy-free.
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Ingredients
300 g 1 1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
400 g 2 cup Sugar (plus powdered sugar for dusting)
800 g 6 1/2 cup Self-Rising Flour
1 tbsp 1 tbsp Ground Cinnamon
1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp Ground Cloves
450 g 2 cup Orange Juice
Zest of 1-2 Oranges
1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
200 g 1 1/4 cup Black Raisins
1 pinch 1 pinch Salt (or 2 vanillin capsules or chopped nuts)
How to make 9 Ingredients Fanouropita
- In a large bowl, whisk together the oil and sugar.
- Add the salt (or vanilla/nuts), cloves, cinnamon, and orange zest. Mix well.
- In a glass, dissolve the baking soda into the orange juice and pour into the mixture. Stir to combine.
- In a separate bowl, toss the raisins with 2 tbsp flour.
- Gradually add the remaining flour to the main mixture, stirring continuously.
- Gently fold in the floured raisins with a spatula.
- Grease and flour a 30 cm (12-inch) round baking pan.
- Pour in the batter and spread evenly.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F, fan) or 170°C (340°F, top and bottom heat) for 45–50 minutes.
- Allow to cool completely, unmold, and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
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🕯️ The Tradition of Fanouropita
Fanouropita is deeply tied to Greek Orthodox tradition. It is baked on August 27th to honor Saint Phanourios, the saint believed to reveal lost items and bring blessings. The cake is often shared with neighbors, friends, and family, symbolizing community and generosity.
🍊 Why This Recipe Works
This version is monastery-style, meaning it’s prepared without eggs, butter, or dairy, making it naturally vegan and fasting-friendly. The combination of orange juice, zest, raisins, and spices creates a cake that is moist, fragrant, and perfectly sweet without being heavy.
🌿 Tips for Perfect Fanouropita
- Always mix the raisins with a little flour to prevent them from sinking.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice gives the best flavor.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days; it tastes even better the next day.
