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
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 10-inch springform pan with light grease.
- Melt butter in a skillet over low heat, then gently sauté Vidalia onions until they become translucent and soft, approximately 10 minutes.
- Season the caramelized onions with poppy seeds, salt, paprika, and ground pepper. Stir to distribute the spices evenly, then remove from heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and brown sugar. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Whisk together eggs, milk, sour cream, and melted butter in a separate bowl until smooth and well-incorporated.
- 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.
- Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Distribute the seasoned onion mixture uniformly across the top of the batter.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing the springform ring.
- 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