Zwiebelkuchen (German Onion Cake)

When we visit family in Germany life stops at around 4:00 pm so we can eat cake or pastries. No matter where we are or what we are doing, at 4:00pm we stop for cake.  I will watch the time to make sure I don’t miss out.  In the fall there are about 2 weeks that you can get new wine which is the wine after it is put into the berrels but before it is corked. It is a little effervescent and is very tasty with Zwiebelkuchen so it is often served with it.  …So, needless to say, while out sight seeing on the Mosel river we stopped at 4:00 pm and had some Zwiebelkuchen and new wine in one of the small towns.  It was one of the most memorable meals I had in Germany and I will often crave it.  It isn’t easy to find new wine here so I like to serve it with a nice Riesling.

Dough

½ oz............... Yeast

1 c.................. Milk (lukewarm)

2½ c............... Cake Flour

pinch............. Sugar

½ tsp.............. Salt

3 Tbs............. Butter

Topping

1½ ea............ Extra Large Yellow Onions

5 oz................ Raw Bacon

1 c.................. Sour Cream

2 ea............... Eggs

½ tsp.............. Salt

pinch............. Nutmeg

pinch............. Pepper

1.    Heat oven to 425ºF.

2.    Mix 2 Tbs flour, yeast, and sugar together then mix in milk.

3.    Set aside in a warm place.

4.    Cut butter and salt into remaining flour .  Set aside.

5.    Dice bacon and Julian the onions.

6.    Add milk mixture into the flour mixture and mix until it forms a ball.

7.    Cover and set aside in a warm place.

8.    Sautee bacon and onions until the onions start to caramelize. Let cool.

9.    Mix remaining topping ingredients in a separate bowl and add the onions and bacon.

10. Place dough into the bottom of a greased spring form pan and top with onion mixture.

11. Bake in oven for about 30 minutes.

I created a warm place to let the dough steps rest by placing a container with about 2 cups of water in the microwave and heating it for about 3 minutes.  I then place the dough in the microwave with the container of hot water the door shut.

Be creative, have fun and enjoy!!!