If you’re craving a warm, buttery, and downright irresistible biscuit that feels like a cozy hug in every bite, look no further than this Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe. These biscuits are unique because they actually bake swimming in melted butter, which keeps them incredibly moist on the inside while developing the most beautiful golden crust on the outside. It’s simple ingredients transformed by a clever method that turns a humble biscuit into a decadent treat every time you make it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each component of this Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe is straightforward but essential to achieving that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and that beautiful buttery finish. They combine to create a biscuit that’s tender, lightly sweet, and bursting with buttery goodness.
- All-purpose flour (2½ cups): Provides the structure; make sure to spoon and level for accuracy.
- Granulated sugar (1½ tablespoons): Just a touch to bring out the natural sweetness.
- Baking powder (4 teaspoons): The magical leavener for those fluffy, risen biscuits.
- Salt (1½ teaspoons): Balances flavor and enhances the buttery taste.
- Buttermilk (1¾ cups): Adds tang and tenderizes the dough for moist, soft biscuits.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, melted): The star of the show; melts into the dish to “swim” your biscuits for rich flavor.
How to Make Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by setting your oven to a hot 450 degrees F. This high temperature is key to creating that golden, slightly crispy top while keeping the inside moist and fluffy from all that butter.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. This ensures your leavening and seasoning are evenly distributed, setting the stage for perfectly balanced biscuits.
Step 3: Add the Buttermilk
Pour in the tangy buttermilk and stir gently just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix—overworking the dough can lead to tougher biscuits, and that’s the last thing you want.
Step 4: Prepare the Baking Dish
Grab an 8×8-inch glass baking dish and pour the melted butter into the bottom. The biscuits will literally bake swimming in it, soaking up every last bit to develop tender, flaky layers and a rich buttery flavor.
Step 5: Spread the Dough
Turn the sticky dough into the dish and gently spread it evenly over the butter layer. The butter will start to meld with the dough as it bakes, so a nice even layer ensures consistency.
Step 6: Score the Biscuits
Using a bench scraper or a sharp knife, score the dough into nine equal squares. This lets you easily pull apart warm biscuits after baking and maintains those fluffy edges.
Step 7: Bake and Rest
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the biscuits puff up and turn a gorgeous golden brown. When you press them gently, they should spring back, a sign they’re perfectly cooked. Once out of the oven, let them rest for 5 minutes so the biscuits soak up the remaining melted butter—this step is pure magic!
How to Serve Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt just after baking elevates these biscuits beautifully, adding a satisfying crunch and flavor contrast that plays wonderfully with that rich butteriness.
Side Dishes
These biscuits shine beside hearty soups, creamy stews, or classic Southern dishes like fried chicken and collard greens. They also slap as a side for breakfast with eggs and bacon, soaking up every savory bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Try topping warm Butter Swim Biscuits with homemade honey butter or a drizzle of maple syrup for a sweet twist. Or slice them, add a layer of sharp cheddar and hot sauce, then toast them under the broiler for an indulgent twist you’ll want to serve at every brunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. That butter soak keeps them soft, but for best texture, consume them promptly.
Freezing
Butter Swim Biscuits freeze wonderfully. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag for up to three months. When you want a buttery snack, pop them straight in the oven to warm up.
Reheating
Reheat refrigerated or frozen biscuits in a 350-degree oven for about 10 minutes wrapped in foil to keep them tender. This brings back that fresh-baked magic and restarts the buttery swim.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
While you can substitute regular milk, buttermilk adds tang and acidity that tenderizes the biscuit and reacts with baking powder to make them fluffier. For best results, stick to buttermilk or make a quick buttermilk substitute with milk and vinegar.
Why do the biscuits swim in butter?
Baking the biscuits in melted butter helps create a moist, tender crumb and crispy edges all at once. The butter infuses the dough with rich flavor as it bakes, making these biscuits extra special compared to simply brushing butter on top.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Just be sure to use a larger baking dish or divide the batter between two dishes so the dough can spread evenly and cook through properly.
What’s the best way to cut the dough?
Using a bench scraper or sharp knife is perfect for cutting clean, even squares. Avoid twisting your cutter, which can seal edges and prevent proper rising.
How do I know when the biscuits are done?
They should be golden brown on top with a firm structure that springs back when gently pressed. If they’re still soft or gummy, pop them back in the oven for a few more minutes.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to bake a biscuit that combines buttery richness with a light, tender crumb, the Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s a simple process with an incredible payoff, bringing comfort and joy with every warm, melt-in-your-mouth square. I promise once you try these, you’ll be making them over and over—and happily sharing them with everyone you love.
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Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 9 biscuits
- Category: Biscuits
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Description
These Butter Swim Biscuits are a delightful Southern-style treat featuring tender, fluffy biscuits baked atop melted butter, which seeps up into the dough creating a rich and buttery flavor in every bite. Quick to prepare and perfect for breakfast or a comforting side, these biscuits are golden, flaky, and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour (300 grams)
- 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1¾ cups buttermilk
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C) to ensure a hot environment for the biscuits to rise and bake perfectly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined, ensuring even leavening and seasoning.
- Add Buttermilk: Pour in the buttermilk and gently mix just until incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep the biscuits tender and flaky.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Pour the melted butter into the bottom of an 8×8-inch glass baking dish, spreading evenly to coat the base.
- Shape Dough: Transfer the dough into the butter-lined baking dish and spread it evenly to cover the bottom, allowing butter to infuse throughout as it bakes.
- Score Dough: Using a bench scraper or sharp knife, cut the dough gently into nine equal squares, which will be the individual biscuits after baking.
- Bake Biscuits: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the biscuits turn golden brown and spring back slightly when pressed.
- Rest and Serve: Let the biscuits rest for 5 minutes to absorb the melted butter before serving warm, enhancing their buttery richness.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough as this can lead to tough biscuits. Mix until ingredients are just combined.
- Using a glass baking dish helps the butter to melt evenly and soak into the biscuits for that signature buttery ‘swim’.
- For extra flavor, you can add herbs like chives or rosemary to the dough before baking.
- Serve warm with honey, jam, or gravy for a comforting meal.
- Leftover biscuits can be reheated in a warm oven or toaster oven to restore crispness.
