Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Rolls

Caramelized onion and goat cheese are the perfect pairing in this scrumptious roll. These rolls are a full of flavor; savory sweet onion pairs well with the creamy goat cheese. They make a great appetizer, as well a delicious addition to the main course.

Why you need to make these rolls

This recipe is a favorite thing for me to make! They take a little time, but they are really easy. Mothers day is coming up so in honor of mothers everywhere I dedicate these rolls to you! Weird thing to dedicate to your mother? Maybe, if you know my mom you won’t think this is odd. Girl can talk about food for days. If my mom tastes something new and she’s really excited about it you might as well have a seat, while she tells you about whatever it is she partook of for the next 20 minutes! I know my mom could give a impassioned and eloquent speech on these rolls if she were here to enjoy them. Here is my impassioned speech. The birth of a delicious morsel: It was a rather ordinary day. Hum, dee, dum dum. I was caramelizing onions and making cinnamon rolls. I know it sounds like an odd combinations, but sometimes I multitask like this. I got hungry so I decided to have a nibble of goat cheese while I cooked. It hit me! Oma-geerrd how good would goat cheese and caramelized onion cinnamon rolls be?  Minus the cinnamon, and the brown sugar of course.  Voila!  A Star was born!

How to make caramelized onion & goat cheese rolls

Pre heat oven to 375 degrees.

I believe just about any dinner roll dough would work with this recipe. I have used my bread machine dinner roll recipe. You could also use a loaf of frozen bread dough thawed. On a lightly floured surface roll the dough into a 12×18 inch rectangle.

Spread thin layer of caramelized onions over the dough, and crumble 4 ounces goat cheese evenly over top of the onions.

Roll up the dough, the long way, away from you. Pinching edges together when roll is complete. Give the roll a slight stretch. Then with a serrated knife slice 1 1/2 inch sections, place in a lightly buttered baking dish, or on a baking sheet, and cover with plastic wrap or a dish towel while the dough rises. Rise for one hour in a warm spot in your kitchen. If you have a proof setting on your oven use that. Rolls should double in size. This may take up to one hour.  Bake in a 375 degree oven for 16 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with butter. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Butter substitute: This recipe is perfect for substitutions. You can completely sub out the butter for olive oil or avocado oil. As well as when you are caramelizing the onions. I will say that they will not caramelize as fast without butter, but the natural sugars in the onions will caramelize on their own with only olive oil to keep them from burning and sticking to the pan
• Caramelizing Onions: Go here to see a step by step on how to caramelize onions. It is very easy to do, although it takes a little time. I would suggest doing this along side some other cooking that you are doing, because it’s easy. Caramelizing onions isn’t rocket science it just takes a little bit of time. Add 2 tablespoons of oil (butter, olive oil, or your oil of choice) to a large skillet over low heat. Add 3-6 sliced onions to the preheated skillet. You can use sweet onions, such as vidahlia, or red onion. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt over onions, and continue to move them around in pan until they cook down and turn a golden brown color. Let cool, store in a airtight container in your refrigerator until ready to use.
• Cheese Substitutions: You say you don’t like goat cheese? Be gone with you!! Just kidding. This is easy you can use any cheese you love really. I cannot think of one cheese that wouldn’t pair well with caramelized onions. My next flavor combination would be a really creamy variety of blue cheese. Gruyere, gouda, feta, or a sharp cheddar would all be good. You want something with a bit of a sharpness to go up against the sweet caramelized onions.
• Onion Jam: A substitution that makes this recipe even easier is onion jam. This is basically canned caramelized onions. Most of the time there are a few additional ingredients in onion jam, such as balsamic vinegar, or maple syrup. I have seen a quite a few varieties on store shelves.
• Crescent Rolls: Remove the crescent rolls from the can, leaving them in one large sheet. Press the together along the lines where you normally would pull them apart, to make one large sheet. Spread thin layer of onions, and sprinkle with cheese just as before. Roll up and pinch edges together. Slice into 1 inch slices, place in a buttered baking dish or on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for 15- 20 minutes.
• Herbs: When I’m feeling fancy sometimes I will sprinkle chopped fresh thyme or rosemary over cheese before rolling up the dough. Like I always say get creative! If it sounds good you give it a try.

Final thoughts…

I hope you give this recipe a try. If you change it up I would love to know what you did leave me a comment below. If you make it as is and love it please click some stars in the recipe card (this really helps!). Final thought these rolls would make a delicious appetizer, along side these appetizer meatballs, this fun side salad, these savory nuts, and this for dessert!

Enjoy! XO Sheila

PS  Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Rolls are Patent Pending.