Easy Amish Onion Cake Recipe: A Heartwarming Country Delight

Crafting an irresistible amish onion cake brings unexpected delight to your dinner table.

Caramelized onions create a savory canvas of rich, golden flavors.

Layers of sweet and pungent notes dance across a tender, rustic base.

Generations of kitchen wisdom shine through this simple yet elegant dish.

Home cooks have treasured this recipe for decades, passing down its comforting secrets.

Crisp edges and soft center promise a memorable culinary experience that will spark conversation and warmth.

FAQs

• What are Vidalia onions and why are they used in this recipe?

Vidalia onions are sweet onions grown in Georgia, known for their mild flavor and low pungency. They caramelize beautifully and add a rich, sweet taste to the Amish Onion Cake without overwhelming other ingredients.

• Is this a savory or sweet cake?

This is a savory cake that balances both sweet and savory flavors. The combination of caramelized onions, brown sugar, and spices creates a unique taste profile that works as a side dish or appetizer.

• Can I substitute regular onions for Vidalia onions?

While you can use regular onions, Vidalia onions are recommended because they provide a sweeter, more delicate flavor. If Vidalia onions aren’t available, choose a sweet onion variety for the best results.

Amish Onion Cake with Hearty Flavors

• Savor Unique Flavor: Dive into a delightful blend of sweet caramelized Vidalia onions and a tender, buttery cake that brings unexpected culinary magic to your table.
• Master Simple Technique: Learn an easy baking method that transforms basic ingredients into a sophisticated dish perfect for impressing family and friends without requiring advanced cooking skills.
• Versatile Serving Option: Enjoy this savory cake as a stunning side dish, brunch centerpiece, or appetizer that complements multiple meal settings and satisfies diverse taste preferences.
• Comfort Food Reinvented: Experience a traditional Amish recipe that elevates humble ingredients like onions and butter into a mouthwatering creation that sparks conversation and delights taste buds.

Ingredients to Make Amish Onion Cake

Main Ingredients:

• All Purpose Flour: The foundational dry ingredient that provides structure to the cake.
• Cornstarch: Helps create a tender and soft texture in the cake.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become fluffy.
• Brown Sugar: Adds depth of flavor and moisture to the cake.

• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide richness.
• Whole Milk: Adds moisture and contributes to the cake's soft texture.
• Sour Cream: Enhances the cake's tenderness and provides a subtle tangy flavor.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps create a tender crumb.

• Vidalia Onions: The star ingredient that gives the cake its distinctive savory character.
• Poppy Seeds: Adds a subtle nutty flavor and interesting texture.
• Salt, Paprika, Ground Pepper: Seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile of the cake.

How to Prepare Amish Onion Cake

Step 1: Caramelize Onions

Warm up your oven to 350˚F. In a skillet, melt butter over low heat.

Add sliced Vidalia onions and cook gently until they turn soft and golden. Sprinkle in poppy seeds, salt, paprika, and black pepper.

Stir everything together and set aside.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and brown sugar.

Cut cold butter into the dry mixture until it looks like coarse crumbs.

Step 3: Prepare Wet Ingredients

Melt remaining butter.

In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sour cream, and melted butter until smooth and well blended.

Step 4: Create Cake Batter

Make a small well in the center of the dry ingredients.

Pour the wet mixture into this well. Gently stir until just combined.

Be careful not to overmix the batter.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

Grease a 10-inch springform pan.

Pour the batter into the pan. Spread the caramelized onions evenly across the top.

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 35-45 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a knife – it should come out clean. Let the cake rest in the pan for 5 minutes before removing.

Tips to Perfect Amish Onion Cake

• Caramelize onions slowly over low heat to develop deep, sweet flavors without burning, ensuring a rich and mellow taste throughout the cake.
• Use room temperature ingredients like eggs, milk, and sour cream to create a smoother, more uniform batter that bakes evenly.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense texture; stir just until the ingredients are combined for a tender, light cake.
• Line the springform pan with parchment paper for easier removal and to prevent sticking, making serving and cleanup a breeze.
• Consider using sweet Vidalia onions for the best flavor profile, but yellow or white onions work well as alternative options if Vidalias are unavailable.

Variations to Refresh Amish Onion Cake

• Gluten-Free Onion Cake: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same texture and flavor profile for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Version: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use almond milk instead of whole milk, and replace sour cream with cashew cream for a lactose-free alternative.
• Herb-Infused Onion Cake: Add fresh thyme or rosemary to the onion mixture, creating a more aromatic and herbaceous version of the classic Amish recipe.
• Bacon-Studded Variation: Sprinkle crispy bacon bits over the caramelized onions before baking, introducing a savory and smoky element to the traditional cake.

Pairings That Work Well with Amish Onion Cake

• A crisp German pilsner or hoppy pale ale cuts through the cake's richness, balancing the sweet caramelized onions with refreshing carbonation and subtle bitterness.
• Serve alongside roasted bratwurst or honey-glazed ham to create a hearty Germanic-inspired meal that highlights the cake's savory depth and buttery texture.
• Prepare a light arugula salad with tangy goat cheese and apple cider vinaigrette to provide a sharp, peppery counterpoint that cleanses the palate between rich cake bites.

Storage Advice for Amish Onion Cake

• Wrap the Amish Onion Cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Keep the cake away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor transfer.
• Slice the cake into individual portions, wrap each piece separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake can maintain quality for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date of freezing.
• Leave the cake at room temperature for no more than 2 hours. Cover with a clean kitchen towel to prevent dust and maintain moisture. Consume within 24 hours for optimal taste and texture.

Amish Onion Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Amish onion cake welcomes comfort food enthusiasts with its rich, caramelized layers of sweet onions atop a golden, buttery base. Bakers can savor this rustic Pennsylvania Dutch delicacy that brings warmth and tradition to any gathering you’ll surely enjoy.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 large eggs
• 2 cups unsalted butter (cold)
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 to 4 Vidalia onions (1-inch pieces)
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 2 tbsps brown sugar (dark)
• 1 tbsp poppy seeds
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 10-inch springform pan with light grease.
2. Melt butter in a skillet over low heat, then gently sauté Vidalia onions until they become translucent and soft, approximately 10 minutes.
3. Season the caramelized onions with poppy seeds, salt, paprika, and ground pepper. Stir to distribute the spices evenly, then remove from heat.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and brown sugar. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Whisk together eggs, milk, sour cream, and melted butter in a separate bowl until smooth and well-incorporated.
6. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the liquid mixture. Gently fold until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
8. Distribute the seasoned onion mixture uniformly across the top of the batter.
9. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing the springform ring.
11. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

• Caramelize onions low and slow to develop rich, sweet flavor without burning, ensuring a deep golden-brown color that enhances the cake’s overall taste profile.
• Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and milk to create a smoother, more evenly mixed batter that results in a tender, consistent texture.
• Consider reducing butter for a lighter version by substituting half with Greek yogurt or applesauce, which maintains moisture while cutting down on calories.
• Experiment with herb additions like thyme or rosemary to introduce subtle aromatic complexity that complements the sweet caramelized onions.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 438
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 404 mg
• Fat: 29 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg