New Year’s Orange and Brandy Cake

ON NEW YEAR’S EVE or after the family lunch on the first day of the New Year, the father of the family cuts into this rich and aromatic cake, which has the year written in almonds on top and a lucky coin secreted inside. A piece is distributed to each family member, starting with the older ones, and whoever gets the symbolic coin is rewarded with a gift of money and starts the year with an advantage.

The basic recipe always contains orange juice, eggs, butter (a luxury in the old da