This traditional monastery-style Fanouropita is a simple Greek fasting cake made with 9 ingredients, without eggs, dairy, or a mixer. The batter comes together in about 5 minutes using just a bowl and a whisk or spatula. Orange juice and zest give it a fresh citrus aroma, while cinnamon and raisins add the characteristic flavor of this traditional Greek cake.
Monastery-Style Fanouropita with 9 Ingredients
16
servings5
minutes50
minutes510
kcal55
minutesEasy monastery-style Greek Fanouropita made with 9 ingredients and no mixer. A moist, aromatic fasting cake with orange, cinnamon, and raisins, prepared in just 5 minutes.
Ingredients
350 g 1 1/2 cup Corn Oil
360 g 1 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
750 g 5 cup Self-rising Flour
10-12 g 1 tbsp Ground Cinnamon
375 g 1 1/2 cup Fresh Orange Juice plus Zest of 1-2 Oranges
5 g 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
250 g 1 1/2 cup Black or Golden Raisins
1 pinch 1 pinch Salt (or 1 pinch Ground Cloves)
2 2 Vanilla Capsules (or nuts of your choice)
Recipe directions
- Place the raisins in a bowl and toss them with a small amount of the measured flour. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the corn oil and sugar. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Add the cinnamon, salt or ground cloves, vanilla or nuts, and orange zest. Mix again.
- In a separate container, combine the orange juice with the baking soda. Be careful, as the mixture will foam.
- Pour the orange juice mixture into the bowl and mix well.
- Gradually add the self-rising flour, stirring continuously until completely incorporated and the batter is smooth and free of lumps.
- Add the flour-coated raisins and gently fold them into the batter using circular motions.
- Line a 30 cm / 12-inch round baking pan with parchment paper.
- Pour the batter into the pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 160°C / 320°F conventional (top and bottom heat) or 150°C / 300°F convection for approximately 50–55 minutes.
- Check the center with a wooden skewer before removing the cake from the oven. It should come out clean or with a few dry crumbs.
- Allow the Fanouropita to cool completely before removing it from the pan.
- Dust with powdered sugar and decorate as desired.
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What Is Fanouropita?
Fanouropita is a traditional Greek fasting cake associated with Saint Phanourios (Agios Fanourios). It is traditionally prepared without eggs, butter, or dairy products, which is why many versions are naturally vegan.
One of the best-known traditions surrounding Fanouropita is the use of an odd number of ingredients, commonly 7 or 9. This particular version uses nine ingredients while keeping the preparation especially simple.
How to Tell When Fanouropita Is Ready
Because this is a large cake baked in a 30 cm / 12-inch pan, don’t judge it only by the color of the surface.
After approximately 50 minutes, insert a wooden skewer into the center. If it comes out with wet batter, continue baking for several more minutes.
Once baked, allow the Fanouropita to cool completely before unmolding and cutting it. This is particularly important for achieving clean slices and preventing the warm crumb from breaking apart.
How to Store Fanouropita
Once completely cool, store the cake well covered at room temperature for several days.
Avoid cutting the entire cake in advance. Keeping it whole and cutting individual portions as needed helps prevent the interior from drying out.
Powdered sugar can be added shortly before serving for a cleaner appearance.