Amish Onion Cake Recipe
A savory and buttery cake featuring sweet Vidalia onions, poppy seeds, sour cream, and eggs. This Amish Onion Cake is a comforting, golden-baked dish perfect as a side or brunch favorite.
10 Servings
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 Vidalia onions chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups cold butter divided
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 5 large eggs
- ¾ cup whole milk
- ¾ cup sour cream
Instructions
Preheat and Sauté the Onions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large skillet over low heat, melt ½ cup of the butter. Add the chopped Vidalia onions and cook gently for approximately 10 minutes, or until softened and fragrant. Stir in the poppy seeds, salt, paprika, and ground black pepper. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
Prepare the Dry Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and brown sugar. Using a pastry cutter or your hands, cut in 1¼ cups of cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, sour cream, and the remaining ¼ cup of melted butter until smooth and well combined.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
- Make a well in the center of the dry mixture and pour in the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; do not overmix. The batter should be thick and slightly rustic in texture.
Assemble and Bake
- Grease a 10-inch springform pan (or equivalent baking dish). Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Distribute the sautéed onion mixture evenly over the top of the batter.
- Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least 5 minutes before removing from the pan or slicing.
Notes
To make this Amish Onion Cake Recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum. Ensure that your baking powder is certified gluten-free, as some commercial brands may contain trace gluten. The resulting cake may have a slightly more delicate crumb but will still deliver the same savory flavor and comfort.