If you’re craving a biscuit recipe that delivers golden, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth goodness with every bite, you’ve come to the right place! This Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe is a personal favorite that brings the comforting charm of Southern-style biscuits to your table with an irresistible twist. Imagine flaky, tender biscuits literally swimming in savory melted butter, making each mouthful a little celebration of flavor and texture. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, as a side to your favorite meals, or just because, these biscuits are guaranteed to become a cherished classic in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting ready to make your Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe is delightfully straightforward. Each ingredient plays a starring role, coming together to create those fluffy layers, the perfect crumb, and the signature buttery pool that sets these biscuits apart.
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour: The base for your biscuits, providing structure while keeping them light and tender.
- 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar: Just a touch of sweetness to balance the savory notes.
- 4 teaspoons baking powder: This magical leavening agent ensures your biscuits rise beautifully and stay fluffy.
- 1½ teaspoons salt: Enhances all the flavors and brings depth to the dough.
- 1¾ cups buttermilk: Adds moisture and a pleasant tang, helping achieve that tender crumb.
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted): The star of the show that forms the buttery “swim” bed your biscuits bake in, giving them incredible richness and a golden crust.
How to Make Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Preheat with Purpose
Start by preheating your oven to a toasty 450 degrees Fahrenheit. A hot oven is key for getting that golden crust while keeping the inside soft and moist.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together your flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until everything is evenly combined. This mix of dry ingredients is the foundation for perfectly aerated biscuits, so take a moment to thoroughly blend them.
Step 3: Add Buttermilk and Form Dough
Pour in the buttermilk and gently stir until just combined. Remember: don’t overmix here. A light touch keeps the dough tender — you want it to come together but still feel a little lumpy.
Step 4: Prepare the Buttered Baking Dish
Take your 8×8-inch glass baking dish and pour the melted butter into the bottom. This buttery pool is what your dough will “swim” in, soaking up all that delicious fat during baking.
Step 5: Spread and Cut the Dough
Turn the biscuit dough into the baking dish and gently spread it into an even layer over the melted butter. Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut the dough into nine perfect squares — this makes serving a breeze and ensures even cooking.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Pop your dish into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the biscuits are golden brown on top and spring back lightly when pressed. That golden hue signals buttery flavor and perfect texture.
Step 7: Let Them Absorb the Butter
Once out of the oven, let the biscuits rest for about 5 minutes. This little pause lets them soak up the melted butter from the bottom, creating that signature “swim” of flavor that makes this Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe utterly irresistible.
How to Serve Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
These biscuits are divine on their own, but a brush of honey or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt elevates them even more. Fresh herbs like chopped chives or parsley add a pop of color and a mild herbal brightness that balances the richness beautifully.
Side Dishes
Butter Swim Biscuits pair wonderfully with hearty breakfasts like scrambled eggs and sausage, or alongside soups and stews where their buttery soak acts like a delicious bread bowl. They also shine when served with jam and butter for a classic Southern touch.
Creative Ways to Present
Try layering the biscuits with ham and cheese to make delightful mini sandwiches, or use them as a base for open-faced bites topped with smoked salmon and dill cream cheese. For a sweet twist, serve with fresh berries and whipped cream for an impromptu dessert biscuit.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (which might be rare!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps them soft and ready to enjoy without losing that buttery charm.
Freezing
You can freeze baked Butter Swim Biscuits by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer bag. Frozen biscuits will keep for up to two months—perfect for quick breakfasts or unexpected guests.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the biscuits in a warm oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes or until heated through. This restores their fresh-from-the-oven warmth and brings back that lovely buttery scent.
FAQs
Can I substitute regular milk for buttermilk?
Regular milk won’t provide the same tang or tender crumb as buttermilk, but if needed, you can add 1½ tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes to mimic buttermilk’s effect.
Why is melted butter poured into the baking dish?
The melted butter forms the “swim” pool that the dough bakes in, soaking into the biscuits for that irresistible, rich flavor and a perfectly golden crust.
Can I use a different size baking dish?
An 8×8-inch dish works best to get that nice thickness and even cooking, but if substituting, just keep in mind thinner dough may bake faster—keep an eye on them!
What if I accidentally overmix the dough?
Overmixing activates gluten, which can make the biscuits tougher, but don’t worry—they’ll still be tasty, just less tender.
How do I know when the biscuits are perfectly baked?
Look for a golden-brown top and edges, and gently press the biscuit; it should spring back rather than feel doughy or dense.
Final Thoughts
This Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe is a joyful celebration of comfort food done right. With simple ingredients and a technique that fills your kitchen with the most inviting aromas, it’s a recipe worth making again and again. Trust me, once you try these buttery, fluffy biscuits that swim in melted butter, they’ll become your go-to whenever you need a little warm, nurturing deliciousness in your day.
Print
Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 9 biscuits
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Butter Swim Biscuits are flaky, buttery biscuits baked in a pool of melted butter, resulting in a rich, tender texture with a golden crust. These easy-to-make biscuits are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or alongside hearty meals.
Ingredients
Biscuits
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour (300 grams)
- 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1¾ cups buttermilk
Butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted, 1 stick)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius) and allow it to fully heat while you prepare the dough.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined to ensure consistent rising and flavor.
- Add buttermilk: Pour the buttermilk into the dry ingredients, gently mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this will keep the biscuits tender and flaky.
- Prepare the baking dish with butter: Pour the melted butter into the bottom of an 8×8-inch glass baking dish, making sure the base is fully coated.
- Transfer the dough: Turn the biscuit dough into the butter-lined baking dish and spread it evenly to fill the dish, allowing the butter to evenly coat the dough as it bakes.
- Cut the dough: Using a bench scraper or a sharp knife, cut the dough into nine equal squares, creating biscuit portions that will bake through evenly.
- Bake the biscuits: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown on top and spring back when pressed lightly.
- Rest and soak: Remove the biscuits from the oven and allow them to sit for 5 minutes so they can absorb the melted butter from the bottom, enhancing flavor and moisture.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough to keep the biscuits light and flaky.
- Using melted butter in the pan gives the biscuits a rich buttery base and delicious crispy edges.
- Serve warm with honey, jam, or gravy for added flavor.
- Buttermilk can be substituted with milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar if necessary.
