Caramelized Onion Dip

Warning. This Caramelized Onion Dip is seriously addictive. Seriously.

While it may seem like a million times easier to buy pre-made chip dip at the grocery store, it doesn't even come close to being as delicious as this is. I'm not kidding. Make this, and you will never be satisfied with the store stuff again.

I recently decided that caramelized onions are my favorite food. I love them. Honestly, once the onions have hit that point in the pan where they have succumbed to the heat and become soft and are just starting to caramelize around the edges, my mouth begins to water and my heart beats ever so slightly faster. It's a feeling akin to lust.

This delicious pile of caramelized onions are added to some cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise creating a dip that is slightly sweet, slightly tangy, slightly spicy,and over the top good. The perfect addition to your upcoming holiday parties, New Year's Eve, or even super bowl get-togethers!

Caramelized Onion Dip
adapted from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, Ina Garten

2 large yellow onions
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon sugar
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise

Cut the onions in half and then slice them into 1/8-inch thick half-rounds. (You will have about 3 cups of onions.) Heat the butter and oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions, cayenne, salt, pepper, and sugar and saute for 10 minutes until the onions have begun to soften. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 more minutes until the onions are browned and caramelized. Allow the onions to cool.

Place the cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until smooth. Add the onions and mix well. Taste for seasonings. Serve cold or at room temperatures with potato chips, pretzels, rounds of baguette or fresh vegetables.