Cheesy Onion Buttermilk Cake

This Cheesy Onion Buttermilk Cake is the savory treat you didn’t know you needed. Move over, sweet cakes—savory cakes are here to steal the show! If you love the idea of a quiche but want something heartier, this Cake is about to become your new best friend. It’s rich, it’s cheesy, and it’s packed with caramelized onions. Basically, it’s everything you never knew you needed in a cake.

Let’s be honest. Not every moment calls for sugar and frosting. Sometimes, you need a satisfying, umami-packed bite that pairs beautifully with coffee, soup, or even a glass of wine. Enter the savory cake. It’s a versatile, no-fuss, meal-prep dream. Plus, it freezes beautifully—so if you’re not feeding an army, just wrap individual pieces of this Cheesy Onion Buttermilk Cake in cling film, toss them in a ziplock freezer bag, and enjoy later.

Layers of Love: The Anatomy of This Cake

First, you wrangle 10 onions—yes, ten! Slice them into rings and sauté them in olive oil until they’re soft and transparent. Use a mix of sweet, yellow, white, and red onions for depth of flavor. Plus, the red onions add some color. You’ll thank me later.

Now, let’s talk base layer. It’s simple: knead flour, vegetable oil, and buttermilk together to create a soft but sturdy foundation for this Cheesy Onion Buttermilk Cake. But the magic happens with the topping. Think of it as Quiche’s rebellious cousin. Eggs, cream, those gloriously soft and savory onions, and a generous heap of grated cheese come together to form a custardy, golden layer of heaven. A hint of nutmeg ties everything together like a warm hug.

Cheese, Glorious Cheese!

I used Emmenthaler and smoked Gouda because, well, that’s what I had in the fridge. But you can mix it up! Try sharp cheddar for a bolder bite, Gruyère for nutty goodness, or Monterey Jack if you’re feeling mild. Love blue cheese? Crumble a bit in there for a tangy kick!

The Anytime, Anywhere Cheesy Onion Buttermilk Cake

Breakfast? Brunch? Late-night snack? This cake fits any occasion. Serve it warm or at room temperature, pair it with a salad, or eat it straight from the pan (I won’t judge). Savory cake lovers, this one’s for you!

Print

Cheesy Onion Buttermilk Cake

Course Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Snack

Cuisine German

Keyword Buttermilk Cheese Cake, Buttermilk onion cake, Cheesy Onion Cake, Savory Cakes, Savory Sheet Cakes

Prep Time 40 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Servings 1 Dozen

Author Lora Wiley-Lennartz

Ingredients

• 10 medium-sized onions
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
• 2+1/2 cups flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Scant cup buttermilk
• 1+1/2 cups heavy cream
• 5 eggs
• 1 cup grated Emmenthaler or Gouda cheese
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

1. Peel the onions and cut them into rings.
2. Heat the oil in a pan and sauté the onions until transparent.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a 9 x13 baking pan with parchment paper.
6. Grease the paper and the sides of the pan.
7. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
8. Separately whisk together the vegetable oil and the buttermilk.
9. Add to the dry ingredients and knead into a dough.
10. Roll it out thinly on a lightly floured surface.
11. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan.
12. Whisk together the cream and eggs.
13. Add the onions.
14. Mix in the grated cheese.
15. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
16. Spread the onion mixture over the dough.
17. Bake for 45 minutes.
18. Cut and serve.

So, do you like this Cheesy Onion Buttermilk Cake? Also, check out some of these other delicious recipes:

CHEESY BACON-WRAPPED HORSERADISH POTATOES

CHEESY SAUERKRAUT BEER ONIONS

LAVENDER LEMON STREUSEL BUTTERMILK CAKE