1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) on fan setting. Line a baking tray with non-stick parchment paper and sprinkle ½ cup of almonds on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes. Let them cool and roughly chop with a knife. Cut the oranges in half, remove the seeds, and blend them.
2. In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Place the egg whites in the mixer bowl and beat until stiff peaks form (a firm meringue). Pour the meringue into a separate bowl.
3. In a bowl or the mixer bowl, combine the sunflower oil and sugar. Beat until light and fluffy, about 5-6 minutes. Lower the speed and add the egg yolks one by one. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture, then the whole fresh Cypriot milk (3% fat, like Alambra brand if you can find it), the oranges, the toasted almonds, and finally the rest of the flour. With a spatula (rubber scraper), gently fold the meringue into the mixture using circular motions so that the meringue doesn't deflate.
4. Line the base of a round 25-26 cm baking pan with non-stick parchment paper and grease and flour the sides. Pour the cake batter in. Wrap a coin in non-stick parchment paper and place the 'flouri' (lucky coin) into the cake. Roughly chop the raw almonds and sprinkle them over the entire surface of the St. Basil's cake.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 1 hour. Let it cool. Sprinkle the surface with icing sugar. Then light the candles to form the year 2025! Happy New Year to us!!!
