Greek New Year's Cake with a Hidden Coin

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder; set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and icing sugar with an electric mixer using the whisk attachment for at least 10 minutes, scraping down the sides occasionally, until very airy and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. The mixture may look slightly curdled—that's perfectly fine.
5. Mix in the orange zest, vanilla extract, ground nutmeg, and mahlep powder.
6. In a small bowl, combine the brandy and orange juice.
7. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, then with the orange juice mixture, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
8. Pour the batter into a 10-inch springform pan lined with parchment paper.
9. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Let the cake cool completely to room temperature.
11. Remove the pan ring. Slice off the top of the cake to flatten it. Press the coin into the cake, then invert the cake onto a serving plate so the bottom is facing up.
12. Decorate with paper decorations or numbers, dust with icing sugar, then carefully remove the paper decorations before serving.