Zwiebelkuchen: German Onion Cake An Old World Treat

Zweilbelkuchen, German Onion Cake, is a biscuit-like bread with caramelized onions on top.

This recipe may be different than your Oma's recipe. A quick internet search trying to find the German name for the recipe showed me a few dozen variations of the same basic dish.

I based this one on a recipe in Cooking from Quilt Country a companion cookbook for the late 1980's PBS cooking series about Amish and Mennonite cooking.

But, I didn't have the 10 inch round pan she used so it became 9x13. And I decided to add a little bacon because... BACON!

It is easy and so flavorful. It would be a great appetizer or side dish.

All About Onions

This week we are celebrating onions! Check out these delicious recipes featuring the humble but pungent bulb.

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German Onion Cake (Zwiebelkuchen)

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Ingredients

 

• 2-3 slices bacon
• 2-3 large yellow onions
• ¼ teaspoon marjoram
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cornstarch (or arrowroot)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• ¾+ cup milk
• 1 large egg
• ¾ cup sour cream

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 baking pan.
• Chop bacon into small pieces and cook in a large skillet over medium heat until cooked, but not crispy, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the cooked bacon and set on paper towels to drain.
• While bacon is cooking, thinly slice onions. Add sliced onions to the bacon grease after removing the cooked bacon pieces. Cook until just turning brown, about 10 minutes. Add marjoram and pepper. Remove from heat.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening with a pastry blender or two knives until it is the texture of soft crumbs.
• Add the milk and mix together into a soft dough. Add additional milk if the dough seems dry.
• Spread dough into the pan, pressing a little up the sides. Top with cooked onions. Quickly beat together egg and sour cream and spread on top of onions. Finally sprinkle with cooked bacon pieces.
• Bake at 450 degrees until the center is set, about 15-20 minutes. Let cool 5-10 minutes then cut in slices and serve.

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