This sweet onion crack dip is aptly named. Hot, cheesy, onion-y and a little black peppery. Before you know it, you'll have eaten the entire pan!
Though I feel we often overuse the word authentic, it is the first word that comes to mind when I think of Todd Porter and Diane Cu of White on Rice Couple. Their life recipe still inspires me, as does their joy in sharing their love of food—and food photography—with the world. Because I admire them so very much, I was humbled (and floored) when I received a copy of their new cookbook, Bountiful: Recipes Inspired by Our Garden.
Gorgeous. Fresh. Enlightening. Drool-inducing. Heartfelt.
These are the words that came to mind when I browsed its pages (and bookmarked nearly half of them). Yes, Bountiful is full of beautiful food photography and delicious recipes. But it is also a labor of love—a love of fruits and vegetables and herbs picked, pulled and pruned straight from their garden.
I almost packed up our family and moved to southern California just so I could have a growing season as robust as Todd and Diane's.
Or at least a home next door so we could help take some of that extra produce of their hands.
Though my gardening skills leave something to be desired, this sweet onion crack dip appetizer definitely does not. It is filled with ooey, gooey cheesiness, the right amount of sweet onion flavor and a the perfect kick of black pepper. It's basically heaven in an appetizer.
You can thank me later.
I loved using a stoneware baking dish for this hot onion dip because it did a great job keeping the dip warm until every last bit was devoured. I love the agave blue and the cranberry color options of the Rachel Ray Cucina stoneware round baker. That cranberry is perfect for serving this appetizer at your next holiday gathering!
Printable recipe for sweet onion crack dip appetizer below.
Sweet Onion Crack Dip
This sweet onion cheese dip (aka "crack dip") is a nice change from your typical hot spinach or artichoke dip. Todd Porter and Diane Cu of White on Rice Couple had it right when they nicknamed it "crack dip." Original recipe can be found in Bountiful: Recipes Inspired by Our Garden.
Ingredients
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, very softened
- 1 cup mayonnaise (I used light mayo)
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup diced sweet onion
- 1 T freshly cracked black pepper
- Sourdough bread, French baguette, pita bread or your favorite crackers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, mayo, Parmesan, onion and pepper. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Spread the mixture into a 6-inch baking dish or small oven-safe dish. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes until ingredients are melted together and crust is a dark golden brown. The darker brown the crust, the better the flavors.
- Serve hot with your favorite bread or crackers.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 554Total Fat: 36gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 25gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 999mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 2gSugar: 5gProtein: 14g
Allison
This sounds good! I love making appetizers.
Emily Hill
Me too! They're some of my favorite recipes.
Annette
I would happily enjoy a meal composed of all appetizers. My favorite is bruschetta.
Gianna
Wish I could enter, but no facebook. That dip looks so delicious!
Emily Hill
I forgot I'd made that mandatory. Just changed the giveaway so now it's optional. :)
Laura
Looks amazing! And just right for a Fall appetizer, yum!
steph
Pretty sure I NEED this book!
Shannon Baas
Mine is nachos
Renee G
I love spinach artichoke dip.
Traci Severson
I love anything with onion - the dip sounds amazing! Next party it is on my list to make!!! The cookbook sounds amazing!
Lizzy
BLT dip with frito scoops...yum!
Tamar
Chips and dip and really good popcorn.
deana c
My favorite appetizer is artichokes francais
Crystal Pamplona
My favorite appetizer is wings. I make two kinds every time i go to a function.
Keegan
My favorite appetizer is pretty much ANY appetizer, but I usually go for the guacamole first!
karen
My favorite appetizer is anything involving cheese!
Cyn
AMEN SISTER!!!
candace
i love an appetizer that can be served with toasts or cheeses. really like bruschetta!
Christine
love spinach artichoke dip
christopher h
I usually make bruschetta
Becca
Bread for sure!
Holly H.
Love a shrimp dip that my sister in law makes - it's the best!
Anne Marie
My favorite appetizer is avocado egg rolls at Cheesecake Factory. Holy yum. And I need this book! :)
Marti
Crab stuffed mushrooms and chicken meatballs are tied for my favorite appetizers.
Cyn
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms are a HUGE hit here in the far north! Especially when their maker uses our world reknown Red King Crab Alaska’s known for !
Joanna
I love hot corn and jalepeno dip, but I think my favorite appetizer is stuffed mushrooms.
Erika Follansbee
My favorite appetizer is one just like this.... any kind of warm, cheesy dip! Looks awesome and can't wait to try it.
Amy S.
I love garlic & apricot cheese spread. Everyone begs me to make when they visit. The combination sounds so odd, but is decadent!
Paula - bell'alimento
a cheese plate with a selection of salami.
Elizabeth
I love dips! My two favorites are 7-layer and pizza dips.
Devon H
My favorite appetizer would be any kind of dip with crackers or bread. It could be guacamole, baked goat cheese and marinara, salsa, cream cheese with pepper jelly, etc. I love it all! :)
elvina
My favorite appetizer is water cracker topped with figs, brie, and honey. I would LOVE this cookbook! I live in SoCal and love the White on Rice couple! That's a lot of "loves" but it's true. :)
Allison (Spontaneous Tomato)
My favorite appetizer is freshly baked baguettes with dips or spreads, like aioli or bruschetta.
Heather B
currently my favorite appetizer is Pumpkin dip!
Stephanie Larison
Cheese balls... I could eat them anytime.
Francine Anchondo
Hot wings, bruschetta and mozzeralla cheese sticks
Deborah
I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of this book! And favorite appetizer? You seriously wouldn't make me choose, would you? :)
manda
I am an fan of fried tomatoes
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes
Lately I've been loving bruschetta, but I can see how this would be addictive.
susan smoaks
i love bread with spinach dip
Von
I always see these things when it is too late to go to the store to buy everything. Looks delicious.
Bryan E.
Thanks for the giveaway…raw vegetables & a spicy garlic yogurt dip.
Aimee
I love a good chip and dip combo. And cheese cubes, those are always nice too.
Brenda @ Chatting Over Chocolate
This looks AMAZING!! Wiping the drool from my keyboard, and pinning immediately! ;) Thanks for sharing!!
Emily Hill
Thank you, Brenda! It really is yummy.
Ashley
Sweet! Dips rocks! Though I do love a good cheese platter!
Sarah Naber
I think it is amazing adding to the fact that I don't exactly love onions
Emily Hill
I used to be able to eat them raw but now I find I only like them cooked. This is one of my favorite ways to eat them. :)
Blueridgeamy
This dip won the hearts of my vegetarian family members and non-vegetarian co-workers alike. Making a great big double batch of it right now for a crab picking....can't rate it highly enough! Is a sure thing for this Thanksgiving's appetizers, too.
Emily Hill
Awesome! Thank you so much for letting me know it was such a hit. We love it!