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Soft Onion Bread Rolls with Gruyére - Zwiebelbrotchen

Carissa Erzen
These delicious onion bread rolls are filled with caramelized onions and gooey melted Gruyére or parmesan cheese. The yeast dough is soft and pillowy, flavored with onion powder. These little warm pockets of joy are the perfect breakfast, snack, or side dish or a holiday meal.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Rising Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 55 minutes
Course Breakfast, Side Dish
Cuisine German
Servings 12 rolls
Calories 294 kcal

Ingredients
  

Dough

  • 1 cup milk
  • 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt (use table salt or fine sea salt)
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

Filling

  • 2 medium sweet onions
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 ounces shredded Gruyére or parmesan cheese

Egg Wash

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon water

Instructions
 

Make the Bread Dough

  • In a microwave-safe bowl, add the milk. Warm it in the microwave on 30 second intervals until it’s between 98°F to 105°F.
    Add the active dry yeast and sugar to the milk and stir. Set aside for 10 minutes, until it becomes frothy on top.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk the yeast mixture and eggs.
    Add the flour, salt, and onion powder. Mix until it forms a sticky dough.
  • On a clean work surface, knead the dough by hand for 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic; not sticky or dry.
  • Place the dough ball back in the mixing bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm spot until it has doubled in size, after about two hours.

Caramelize the Onions

  • While the dough is rising, prepare the caramelized onions. Peel and dice the onions.
  • Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.
    Add the onions and cook, stirring often, until the onions are soft, golden brown, and caramelized, after about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat to cool.

Assemble and Bake the Rolls

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces, and keep them covered with a kitchen towel so they don’t dry out.
    Roll out one piece of dough into a flat circle, then add a small spoonful of the caramelized onions and a handful of shredded cheese.
    Fold the edges of the dough over the onions and cheese, so they’re fully enveloped in the ball of dough.
    Place the dough seam-side-down on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough, onions, and cheese.
  • Lightly cover the filled dough balls with a kitchen towel. Set aside to proof for 30 minutes, until the dough balls have puffed up.
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  • Whisk the egg and water in a small ball to make an egg wash. Brush the tops and sides of each roll with egg wash.
  • Bake for 9 to 12 minutes, until the rolls are golden. Enjoy!!

Notes

  • Equipment: Use a large, wide skillet to give the onions more surface area to spread out, ensuring they cook evenly and don’t steam in their own moisture.
  • Caramelizing Onions: Caramelizing onions takes time - usually around 30 minutes. Cooking them low and slow prevents burning, and allows them to develop deep, rich flavors.
  • Draw Out Moisture: Add a pinch of salt right after you add the onions. Salt helps draw out the moisture, speeding up the caramelization process and enhancing the natural sweetness from the caramelization process.
  • Rising Dough: When letting the dough rise, I like to place it in then oven (turned off) with the oven light on. This provides a draft-free spot, and the small amount of the heat from the oven light helps to keep the dough warm.
  • Types of Onions: You could substitute white onions, yellow onions, or red onions in the filling. But I love using sweet onions, because it adds just a little more sweetness to these rolls.
  • Storing: Store leftover cooled buns in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature. Or wrap individual buns in plastic wrap then aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 rollCalories: 294kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 12gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 447mgPotassium: 139mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 321IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 212mgIron: 2mg
Keyword onion bread, onion bread rolls, Zwiebelbrotchen
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