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German Onion Pie Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 77 reviews

Traditional German onion pie featuring a crispy yeast dough base topped with a savory filling of caramelized onions, thick-cut bacon, and a creamy custard infused with caraway seeds and fresh thyme. This hearty, comforting dish is perfect as a main or side for any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 2 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup Warm water
  • 1 tsp Active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp Sugar
  • 1 tsp Salt

Filling

  • 6 large Yellow onions
  • 6 oz Thick-cut bacon

Custard

  • 1/2 cup Sour cream
  • 1/2 cup Heavy cream
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 1 tsp Caraway seeds
  • 1 tbsp Fresh thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Optional toppings

  • Crème fraîche
  • Fresh chives
  • Nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: Dissolve 1 tsp of active dry yeast and 1 tsp of sugar in 3/4 cup of warm water. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is activated.
  2. Mix Dough: In a large bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 tsp of salt. Add the yeast mixture and 2 tbsp of vegetable oil. Stir to form a shaggy dough.
  3. Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead vigorously for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  4. Cook Bacon: Slice 6 oz of thick-cut bacon and cook it in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon pieces and set aside, keeping the bacon fat in the skillet.
  5. Caramelize Onions: Thinly slice 6 large yellow onions. Add the onions to the skillet with the reserved bacon fat and cook over low to medium heat for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and caramelized.
  6. Prepare Custard: In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp caraway seeds, 1 tbsp fresh thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. If desired, add a pinch of nutmeg for extra flavor.
  7. Assemble Pie: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out the dough to fit a pie or tart pan. Spread the caramelized onions evenly over the dough, sprinkle the crispy bacon on top, and pour the custard mixture over the filling.
  8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes until the custard is set and the crust is golden brown.
  9. Serve: Let the pie cool slightly. Serve warm topped with optional crème fraîche and freshly chopped chives.

Notes

  • Using thick-cut bacon adds a smoky, rich flavor to the filling.
  • Caramelizing the onions slowly is key to developing the deep, sweet flavor characteristic of this pie.
  • If you prefer, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend for a gluten-free version.
  • Letting the dough rest and rise properly ensures a light, flaky crust.
  • This pie pairs wonderfully with a light green salad or German-style potato salad.

Keywords: German onion pie, Zwiebelkuchen, caramelized onions, bacon pie, German cuisine, savory pie

Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/german-onion-pie-recipe/