Savory, flaky, and built on sweet onions and melted cheese, this fast yeast pie is more forgiving than it looks. Starting it in a cold oven is the trick, the dough gets one more rise as the oven heats up.
Ingredients
- [Dough]
- 7 g active dry yeast (1/2 packet)
- 180 ml (3/4 cup) warm water
- 200 g unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- [Filling]
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp butter for cooking
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 2 blocks (approx. 400 g total) cream cheese
- 1 vegetable bouillon cube, finely crushed
Instructions
- 1
Dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Mix with the melted butter and flour. Knead briefly into a soft dough, divide in two, and roll into two sheets.
- 2
For the filling: Cook the onions in butter over medium heat until soft and golden-brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then stir in the eggs, cream cheese, and crushed bouillon until combined.
- 3
Lay one dough sheet across a baking sheet pan. Spread the filling evenly. Top with the second sheet and press the edges to seal. Brush the top with beaten egg.
- 4
Place in a COLD oven, then turn the heat to 180 °C (350 °F). Bake for 30 minutes until puffed and golden.
Cook's Note
Start the pie in a cold oven, then turn the heat on. This gives the yeast dough one final rise as the temperature builds slowly. Put it in a hot oven and the crust sets before the dough has a chance to puff.
Best Served With
A bowl of clear chicken broth or a crisp green salad alongside.
Why This Recipe Works
A crushed bouillon cube adds concentrated savory flavor to the onions that plain salt can't match. The onions cook down long enough to turn sweet and the bouillon deepens that sweetness into something richer. The yeast dough is forgiving and doesn't need a full proof, it gets its rise in the oven.
Make It Yours
- Add fresh chopped green onions or sliced mushrooms to the skillet filling.
- Use grated gruyère instead of cream cheese.
- Add a pinch of dried thyme to the onions.
Leftover Strategy
Reheat slices in the oven at 180 °C (350 °F) for 8 minutes. The crust crisps back up and the cheese softens again.
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Pairing
Dry white wine, Sauvignon Blanc or dry Riesling. Cold lager works just as well.