If you’re craving a biscuit that’s irresistibly buttery with a soft, tender crumb that practically swims in rich, melted butter, you’re going to love this Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe. It’s a cozy, comforting classic that’s both incredibly easy to whip up and utterly delicious. These biscuits bake right on top of a pool of butter, soaking up all that luxurious flavor, making every bite a warm, flaky delight. Whether it’s breakfast, brunch, or just an afternoon treat, these biscuits bring a little joy to your table like no other.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of simple ingredients, this Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe proves that you don’t need a complicated list to create something spectacular. Each element plays a critical role: the flour forms the perfect structure, sugar adds a touch of sweetness, and buttermilk brings that light tang and tender crumb, while butter is at the heart of this recipe, infusing everything with luscious flavor and moisture.
- All-purpose flour (2½ cups): Provides the sturdy yet tender base that holds your biscuit together just right.
- Granulated sugar (1½ tablespoons): Adds a subtle sweetness to balance the buttery richness.
- Baking powder (4 teaspoons): Gives the biscuits a satisfying rise and light fluffiness.
- Salt (1½ teaspoons): Enhances all the flavors and keeps your biscuits from tasting flat.
- Buttermilk (1¾ cups): A key ingredient for tanginess and tenderizing the dough.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, melted): This is the magic that creates the ‘swim’ effect, soaking into the biscuit base and adding unmatched richness.
How to Make Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Begin by setting your oven to a toasty 450 degrees F. High heat is essential to achieve those perfectly golden, crisp edges while keeping the inside soft and buttery.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. This ensures your baking powder and salt are evenly distributed for a consistent rise and flavor.
Step 3: Add the Buttermilk
Pour in the buttermilk and stir gently until the dough just starts to come together. Be careful not to overmix here—the dough should be slightly shaggy to keep the biscuits tender.
Step 4: Prepare the Butter Bath
Pour your melted butter into the bottom of a glass 8×8-inch baking dish. This buttery pool is what makes these biscuits swim in flavor.
Step 5: Transfer and Shape the Dough
Turn the biscuit dough into the baking dish and gently spread it out into an even layer right over the melted butter. This technique allows the butter to seep into the biscuit as it bakes, creating a moist, golden crust.
Step 6: Score the Dough
Using a sharp knife or bench scraper, carefully cut the dough into nine even squares. Scoring the dough before baking makes it easier to separate each buttery biscuit later without losing that wonderfully crisp edge.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they’re beautifully golden and spring back slightly when you press them gently with your finger.
Step 8: Let Them Rest
Once out of the oven, allow the biscuits to sit for about five minutes. This pause lets the buttery liquid soak beautifully into each biscuit, making them even more luscious and flavorful.
How to Serve Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt or fresh herbs like chopped chives or parsley can elevate these butter swim biscuits to a whole new level. These simple additions complement the warm buttery flavor and add a hint of freshness or crunch.
Side Dishes
These biscuits shine alongside hearty breakfasts like eggs and bacon or with a bowl of creamy soup or chili for lunch or dinner. Their buttery richness pairs perfectly with savory dishes, soaking up gravies and sauces in the best way.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving these biscuits split open with a dollop of honey butter, homemade jam, or even a smear of garlic butter for a savory kick. Layered with smoked salmon and cream cheese, they become an elegant appetizer that’ll impress guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To keep them as moist and flavorful as fresh, be sure to seal in the buttery goodness well to prevent drying out.
Freezing
You can freeze these biscuits either before or after baking. For best results, cut them into squares, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and then place in a freezer bag. They’ll keep well frozen for up to three months without losing that buttery charm.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the biscuits in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes, or until heated through and crisp on the edges. You can also microwave briefly if you’re in a hurry, but the oven method restores their fresh-from-the-oven texture best.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
While you can substitute regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar as a quick buttermilk replacement, real buttermilk gives these biscuits their characteristic tang and tender crumb.
Why does my biscuit dough need to be mixed gently?
Overmixing develops gluten which can result in tough biscuits. Mixing just until combined keeps the dough light and fluffy.
Can I make these biscuits dairy-free?
You can try substituting the butter with a plant-based alternative and buttermilk with a non-dairy milk plus acid, though the classic buttery taste will be different.
What’s the secret to those perfectly golden tops?
The high oven temperature and the butter bath in the pan ensure those irresistible golden edges and a crispy crust.
Can I double this Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe?
Absolutely! Just use a larger baking dish or two 8×8 pans, making sure the dough layer remains even for consistent baking.
Final Thoughts
This Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe is a true gem for anyone who loves warm, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth comfort food. The way that butter bath creates a golden, flavorful crust while keeping the inside tender is pure magic. Once you try these, they’ll quickly become a staple in your kitchen for breakfasts, brunches, or anytime you want a little buttery happiness. So go on, dive in, and enjoy every buttery, flaky bite!
Print
Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 9 biscuits
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These buttery swim biscuits are a delightful, easy-to-make baked treat perfect for breakfast or a snack. Combining a tender buttermilk biscuit dough with melted butter that pools beneath during baking gives them a rich, moist texture and a golden, crispy crust. The recipe yields nine generously sized squares that bake quickly at a high temperature, ensuring a soft interior and a perfectly crunchy exterior.
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 Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the right temperature for a quick, golden bake.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined.
- Add Buttermilk: Pour in the buttermilk and gently mix just until all ingredients are incorporated. Be careful not to overmix the dough to keep the biscuits tender.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Pour the melted butter into the bottom of an 8×8-inch glass baking dish to create the swimming butter effect during baking.
- Transfer Dough: Turn the biscuit dough into the baking dish over the melted butter and gently spread it into an even layer.
- Score Dough: Use a bench scraper or a sharp knife to cut the dough into nine equal squares to make it easy to separate once baked.
- Bake Biscuits: Place the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and spring back when pressed lightly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the biscuits cool in the pan for 5 minutes to allow them to absorb the melted butter from the bottom before serving hot.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough to avoid tough biscuits; mix until just combined.
- Using an 8×8-inch glass baking dish helps achieve even cooking and the signature buttery bottom.
- Letting biscuits sit after baking allows them to soak up the buttery glaze for maximum flavor and moistness.
- Serve warm with additional butter, honey, or jam as desired.
