If you’re craving something that perfectly balances flaky texture with an indulgent buttery finish, the Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe is about to become your new kitchen staple. These biscuits are delightfully tender and boast a golden crust that gives way to a melt-in-your-mouth center, thanks to the generous amounts of butter swimming through the dough. Whether you’re serving them fresh from the oven for breakfast or alongside dinner, they deliver comforting, homestyle goodness that everyone will adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe lies in its simplicity. With just a few pantry staples, you create a biscuit that’s rich, fluffy, and perfectly buttery. Each ingredient has a job — from the flaky all-purpose flour to the tangy buttermilk, which keeps the biscuits tender and moist.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for any good biscuit, it provides structure without weighing the dough down.
- Baking powder: Your leavening agent that helps the biscuits rise and puff up beautifully.
- Granulated sugar: Adds a hint of sweetness that balances the savory notes perfectly.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors, making every bite sing.
- Salted butter: Used both within the dough and melted on top, it brings a rich, luscious flavor and flaky texture.
- Buttermilk: Provides moisture and a subtle tang that makes these biscuits uniquely tender and flavorful.
How to Make Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and kosher salt in a large bowl. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and salt, which is key to an even rise and balanced flavor throughout your biscuits.
Step 2: Incorporate the Butter
Cut cold salted butter into small pieces and work it into the dry ingredients using your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The bits of butter create pockets of steam during baking, resulting in that coveted flaky texture.
Step 3: Add the Buttermilk
Pour the buttermilk in gradually, stirring gently until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep your biscuits tender and light—that’s where the buttery magic really shines.
Step 4: Shape the Biscuits
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently pat it into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Fold it over and pat it again a few times to create layers, then cut into rounds or squares. Those layers allow the butter to swim through the dough during baking, making every bite irresistibly flaky.
Step 5: Bake and Butter Them Up
Place your biscuits on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven at 425°F until golden brown, about 12-15 minutes. While they bake, melt 2 tablespoons of additional salted butter. As soon as you pull the biscuits from the oven, brush each with the melted butter so they soak up even more buttery goodness.
How to Serve Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
Butter Swim Biscuits are fantastic on their own, but why not add some garnishes to elevate the experience? A sprinkle of fresh chopped herbs like chives or parsley adds freshness, while a drizzle of honey or a dollop of homemade jam gives a delightful sweet contrast to the buttery richness.
Side Dishes
These biscuits pair beautifully with savory sides such as creamy scrambled eggs for breakfast or a hearty chicken and gravy dinner. Their fluffy texture is perfect for soaking up sauces, gravies, or soups, making every meal feel extra special and comforting.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful by slicing the biscuits in half and filling them with crispy bacon, cheese, or a fried egg for a decadent biscuit sandwich. Or serve them as a base for mini sliders—your guests will love the buttery layers combined with savory fillings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover Butter Swim Biscuits, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps them close to fresh and ready to enjoy with just a quick reheat.
Freezing
You can freeze baked biscuits by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. When you want a buttery treat, thaw them overnight in the fridge, then warm them in the oven for about 10 minutes.
Reheating
The best way to reheat these biscuits is in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes. This will revive the crispy exterior while keeping the interior soft and buttery, almost like they just came out of the oven fresh again.
FAQs
Can I substitute regular milk for buttermilk in the Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe?
While regular milk can work in a pinch, buttermilk gives the biscuits their signature tang and tender crumb. If you need a substitute, add a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
Why is my biscuit dough sticky?
Buttermilk adds moisture that can sometimes make the dough a bit sticky. Lightly flour your hands and work surface, but avoid adding too much flour as it can make your biscuits tough. The slight stickiness helps create tender results.
Can I use cold butter straight from the fridge?
Yes! Cold butter is crucial because it creates steam pockets during baking that give these biscuits their flaky layers. Be sure to cut the butter into small pieces and work quickly to keep it from warming up too much.
How do I make my Butter Swim Biscuits extra flaky?
Folding the dough a few times before cutting creates those wonderful layers where butter can swim freely. Also, avoid overmixing the dough to keep it light and tender.
Can these biscuits be made vegan or dairy-free?
You can experiment with plant-based buttermilk alternatives like almond or oat milk mixed with lemon juice and use vegan butter substitutes. However, the texture and flavor might differ slightly from the traditional Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe.
Final Thoughts
If you want to fill your kitchen with buttery warmth and create biscuits that melt in your mouth, you absolutely must try this Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe. It’s simple, satisfying, and guaranteed to become your go-to for breakfast, brunch, or anytime comfort food cravings. Once you taste that sweet buttery swim through every flaky bite, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!
Print
Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 9 biscuits
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Description
Classic Southern Butter Swim Biscuits made from scratch with tender, flaky layers and a buttery finish. Perfect for breakfast or as a side, these biscuits feature a crisp exterior and soft, fluffy interior, achieved by using buttermilk and generous amounts of butter.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 4 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter, cold and cubed
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons additional salted butter, melted (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) to ensure it is ready when the dough is prepared.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, and kosher salt until well blended.
- Cut in Butter: Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the cold, cubed butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
- Add Buttermilk: Pour the 2 cups of cold buttermilk into the mixture and gently stir with a fork or spatula until the dough just comes together, being careful not to overmix.
- Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently fold it over on itself 3-4 times to create layers. Pat the dough into a roughly 1-inch thick rectangle.
- Cut Biscuits: Using a biscuit cutter or a floured glass, cut the dough into rounds without twisting the cutter to avoid sealing the edges. Place the rounds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, slightly touching each other to encourage rising upwards.
- Top with Butter: Brush the tops of each biscuit with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter to develop a golden, buttery crust.
- Bake the Biscuits: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and the biscuits have risen fully.
- Serve Warm: Remove from oven and serve warm with additional butter, honey, or jam as desired.
Notes
- For flakier biscuits, keep all ingredients and utensils cold before mixing.
- Do not overwork the dough to prevent tough biscuits.
- Use buttermilk or substitute with milk mixed with 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice for acidity.
- Cut biscuits straight down without twisting to maintain rise.
- Serve immediately for best texture, though leftovers can be reheated in a toaster oven.
