Zwiebelkuchen (German Onion Pie)
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Authentic German Zwiebelkuchen recipe from the heart of Swabia in southern Germany! Loads of caramelized onions and savory bacon are packed into this incredibly delicious pie that has been a favorite for generations!
What is Zwiebelkuchen?
Autumn in Germany means a great many things to me, among them the brilliance of leaves changing color, harvested grapes from scenic hillsides, and Zwiebelkuchen, one of my favorite baked goods. This directly translates to “onion cake” but it’s actually a delicious savory pie.
Growing up in southern Germany, I always looked forward to the Fall, one reason being that it meant enjoying this incredibly delicious German Zwiebelkuchen. Another reason – grape season. Traditionally Zwiebelkuchen is enjoyed with a glass of Federweisser, or grape must. Not being an alcohol drinker, I always enjoyed it with a glass of delicious freshly squeezed grape juice. During the Fall, right after the grape harvests, you can find roadside stands selling it in large jugs and never did a year go by that we didn’t stop at least once to load up.
There are a few varieties of Zwiebelkuchen, depending which region you’re in. Some are flat and cut into squares with a thinner layer of the topping, others are thicker and deeper like pie. This version is from Swabia where I grew up. A favorite past-time is going to the Black Forest in the Fall and enjoying a slice of Schwäbischer Zwiebelkuchen at a Cafe, made with delicious local Black Forest bacon.
Swabian Zwiebelkuchen is typically round and deep, like quiche, though the flat varieties can also be found in bakeries throughout southern Germany. But whatever the shape, traditional Zwiebelkuchen always consists of yeast dough, topped with buttery caramelized onions, savory bacon, and a thick creamy base. Often, as in this version, caraway seeds are also included which add a wonderful depth and dimension of flavor.
I developed this recipe a few years ago as Autumn set in and I was craving the Zwiebelkuchen I always enjoyed in Germany. If you like onions, butter and bacon, you will love this Zwiebelkuchen, guaranteed!
Zwiebelkuchen Recipe
Let’s get started!
Use good quality bacon with a nice, smoky flavor for best results. Fry the bacon until crispy.
Add the onions and cook for 30-30 minutes until nicely caramelized.
Let the onion mixture cool.
Combine all the filling ingredients in a bowl.
Beat until combined.
Add the onion mixture and stir to combine.
Pour the filling mixture into the prepared crust in a 9 to 10 inch springform (see recipe card below for instructions for preparing the crust). A springform is critical as you will need to release the pie from it. In the pictures I’m using the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Non-Stick Springform. Another good option is Fat Daddio’s aluminium springform.
Sprinkle with a few caraway seeds.
Bake in the oven preheated to 400 degrees F for 55-60 minutes or until the top is light brown and the center of the pie feels fairly firm to the touch.
Let cool for at least 20 minutes before serving. Can be eaten lukewarm or cold.
Enjoy!
For more traditional German recipes be sure to try our:
- German Apple Cake (Apfelkuchen)
- Potato Pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer)
- Sauerbraten
- Rouladen
- Schnitzel
- Bratwurst
- Maultaschen
- Currywurst
- German Bread (Vollkornbrot)
- Spaetzle
- Stollen
- German Potato Dumplings
- Bread Dumplings
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Zwiebelkuchen (German Onion Pie)
Ingredients
- For the Yeast Dough Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons butter , at room temperature and cut into small cubes
- 2/3 cup lukewarm milk
- 1 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (or instant yeast and add directly to flour, no need to dissolve first)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- OR Pie Crust , half the recipe (you can use pie crust instead of the the yeast crust)
- For the filling:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 ¼ lbs yellow onions ,finely diced
- 5 slices thick cut bacon ,finely diced
- 1 ½ cups full fat sour cream
- 4 large eggs ,or 3 extra large
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- To make the crust: Dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm milk and let stand for 5 minutes. Place the flour and salt in stand mixer and make a well in the center. Add the butter and pour the milk mixture over. Using a dough hook, knead the dough on the “bread” setting for about 6 minutes. Add more milk or flour as needed. Form the dough into a ball, spray the same bowl with oil oil, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and let the dough rise in a warm place for about an hour or until nearly doubled in size. (I usually turn the oven on 350 degrees F for about 1 minute just until it’s a warm, turn it off, and let the dough rise in the oven).
- To make the filling: Fry up the bacon. When the bacon is done add the onions to it along with 2 tablespoons of butter. Reduce the heat and let the onions slowly caramelize to a nice golden brown, about 30-40 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool.
- In a bowl, combine 1 ½ cups full fat sour cream, eggs, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon caraway seeds, and some freshly ground pepper. Add the onion/bacon mixture to it and thoroughly combine everything.
- If using pie crust, grease the springform and gently press the crust into the pan, leaving about 1/2 inch or so margin along the top. If making the dough yourself, once the yeast dough has risen, butter a 9 or 10 inch springform and spread out the yeast dough on the bottom and up the sides (leaving about ½ inch from the top). The dough will keep retracting, just work fairly quickly and then immediately pour the onion mixture into it (it will hold the dough in place), sprinkle a few caraway seeds on top, and put it in the oven.
- Place the Zwiebelkuchen on the middle shelf in the oven preheated to 400 degrees F and bake for 55-60 minutes, until the top is light brown and the center of the pie feels fairly firm to the touch. Let cool for at least 20 minutes before serving. Can be eaten lukewarm or cold.
Nutrition
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
Oh. My. Goodness! This onion pie is beyond delicious looking. It would be perfect on a cold fall day.
Thanks, Nutmeg Nanny, it really IS perfect for the Fall!
I must make this. It is something I know I will most certainly love.
Michelle, I am certain you will as well! Happy baking! :)
Wow, this looks amazing…savory pie make for some delicious meals. I love how thick this one is!
Heather, I’m such a bacon and onion fiend and this dish fulfills both addictions beautifully! :)
I have never tried Zwiebelkuchen, but am smitten with that gorgeous crust and the hearty filling. This is something I need to make!
Yes, you do! And I am confident you’re going to LOVE it! :)
I’ve never seen one like this! I think they have the flatter kind that you mentioned around here. And whoa – my onion obsessed husband would love this!
Erin, yes I think your region is known more for the flatter “Blech” types of Zwiebelkuchen. You can find those in Swabia, too. Those are also good but I vastly prefer the Springform kind because it has so much of that yummy onion/bacon filling!
This looks so amazing, and your posts and story about growing up in Germany makes me want to visit so bad!
Thanks, Angie, and I hope you get to visit someday!
Ich bin in Deutschland zur Uni gegangen. Ich hab an Uni Mannheim studiert und fuer 5 Jahre dort gewohnt. Ich vermisse Deutschland, das Essen und dass man in Europa ueberall so schnell reisen kann. Ich hab dort gelernt Zwiebelbrot zu backen und es war lecker. Ich muss diesen Zwiebelkuchen backen, sieht sehr lecker aus! :)
Danke fuer die Rezepte!
Hey, das ist super, Neli! Ich bin in Stuttgart aufgewachsen aber wohnte auch ein Paar Jahre in Kaiserslautern, so nicht weit entfernt von dir. Toll, dass du dieser Erlebniss hattest! Happy baking! :)
I’d never heard of this before, but I have to say it sounds incredibly delicious! This will be a must-try for me this weekend.
It’s SO good, Lana, and I’m so glad you’re going to try it! Happy baking! :)