1. Preheat the oven to 180°C with fan. Grease a round 22cm cake tin well, line the base with parchment paper and dust the sides with flour. In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, vanilla, and walnuts.
2. In another bowl or in a mixer, combine the oil and sugar and beat well. Add the orange soda and keep mixing until smooth. Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and mix until the batter is fluffy and well combined.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 45 minutes. To check doneness, insert a wooden skewer or knife blade into the center of the cake – if it comes out clean, it’s ready.
4. Let the cake cool and dust with icing sugar.

Tip

According to Christian tradition, Fanouropita is made on August 27th, in memory of Saint Fanourios’ mother, for the forgiveness of her soul. The saint requested that no offerings be made to him, but only to his mother’s memory.

The cake is traditionally prepared with 7 or 9 ingredients – symbolic numbers representing the Sacraments, the days of Creation, and the orders of angels.