Butter Swim Biscuits are a delightful treat that is incredibly easy to make. The key to their deliciousness lies in the unique cooking method, where the biscuits are baked in a pool of melted butter. This results in a crispy bottom and a buttery, flaky texture throughout. The biscuits soak up the butter as they bake, enhancing their flavor and richness.

The simplicity of this recipe makes it perfect for any occasion, whether it’s breakfast, brunch, or a comforting snack. Give these biscuits a try and experience the wonderful melt-in-your-mouth goodness for yourself!

Ingredients Needed for This Recipe

2 cups All-Purpose Flour – The base of your biscuits, providing structure.
1 tablespoon Baking Powder – Helps the biscuits rise and become fluffy.
1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar – Adds a slight sweetness to balance the flavors.

1 teaspoon Salt – Enhances the overall flavor of the biscuits.
1 cup Buttermilk – Adds a tangy flavor and tender texture to the dough. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by mixing 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.
1/2 cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter – This is melted and poured into the baking dish, where the biscuit dough will be placed to swim in as it bakes.

Instructions for Making Butter Swim Biscuits

Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). This high temperature is key for getting that golden top and ensuring the biscuits rise properly.
Prepare the butter: Melt the butter in the microwave or on the stove. Pour the melted butter into an 8×8 inch baking dish, ensuring the bottom is fully covered. The amount of butter might seem excessive, but it’s what gives these biscuits their distinctive flavor and texture.
Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, and salt. This ensures the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour.

Add the buttermilk: Pour the buttermilk into the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined; the dough will be sticky. It’s important not to overmix to ensure your biscuits stay tender.
Assemble the biscuits: Using a spoon or your hands, create small dough balls and place them into the baking dish with the melted butter. The dough should be nestled closely together but not necessarily touching. The butter will surround each piece of dough as it bakes.
Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and cooked through. The high edges and corners tend to bake to a delightful crisp, contrasting with the soft centers.

Serve warm: Let the biscuits cool for a few minutes before serving. They’re best enjoyed fresh from the oven, with the buttery goodness at its peak.

Tips for Perfecting the Recipe

Use Cold Buttermilk: For the best texture, ensure your buttermilk is cold before mixing it with the dry ingredients. This helps to keep the dough at a cooler temperature, which is crucial for the fat in the butter to remain solid until baking. The reaction between the cold buttermilk and the heat of the oven contributes to the rise and fluffiness of the biscuits.

Do Not Overmix: When combining the buttermilk with the dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to gluten development, making your biscuits tough rather than light and fluffy. A few lumps in the dough are perfectly fine and will not affect the final product adversely.

Even Distribution of Butter: While the concept of “swimming” in butter is key to this recipe, evenly distributing the melted butter in your baking dish ensures each biscuit is uniformly golden and crisp. Pour the melted butter and gently tilt the dish to cover the entire bottom.

Space the Dough Properly: While the biscuits should be nestled close to each other, they shouldn’t be squeezed into the pan. A little space allows the biscuits to expand and rise properly without merging into one another during baking.

Oven Temperature Accuracy: Oven temperatures can vary, so using an oven thermometer to verify the actual temperature can be very helpful. Ensuring your oven is at the right temperature before baking is critical for achieving the perfect golden-brown finish.

Biscuit Size: Keep your biscuits uniformly sized to ensure even baking. Large variations in size will cause smaller biscuits to overbake or larger ones to be underdone.

Brush the Tops: For an extra golden top, lightly brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter before baking. This step is optional but can add to the color and flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Butter Swim Biscuits are versatile and can complement a wide range of dishes. Here are a few serving suggestions:

Breakfast or Brunch: Serve them warm with a side of scrambled eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit for a hearty breakfast or brunch. They are also delicious when split and topped with sausage gravy.

With Soups and Stews: These biscuits are perfect for dipping into your favorite soups and stews, absorbing all the delicious flavors.

Dinner Side Dish: Pair them with any main course, such as roasted chicken, beef stew, or grilled vegetables, for a comforting and filling meal.

Desserts: For a sweet twist, serve the biscuits with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries or drizzle them with honey or maple syrup.

Storage Tips

Cool Completely Before Storing: Allow the biscuits to cool to room temperature before storing them to prevent condensation from making them soggy.

Airtight Container: Store the biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 5 days.

Reheating: To maintain their texture, reheat the biscuits in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes or until warm. Microwaving can make them soft and lose their crisp exterior.

Freezing: Butter Swim Biscuits can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap them individually in foil or plastic wrap, then place them in a ziplock freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes. However, buttermilk is preferred for its tangy flavor and its role in the texture of the biscuits.

Can I add cheese or herbs to the dough?
Absolutely! Adding grated cheese, minced garlic, or fresh herbs can elevate the flavor of your biscuits. Mix these ingredients in with the dry ingredients before adding the buttermilk.

Why did my biscuits not rise properly?
There could be a few reasons, including expired baking powder, overmixing the dough, or not using cold buttermilk. Make sure your baking powder is fresh, mix the dough until just combined, and keep your buttermilk chilled.

Butter Swim Biscuits

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Butter Swim Biscuits elevate the classic biscuit experience by immersing the dough in an ample amount of butter before baking.

Ingredients

2 cups All-Purpose Flour – The base of your biscuits providing structure.

1 tablespoon Baking Powder – Helps the biscuits rise and become fluffy.
1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar – Adds a slight sweetness to balance the flavors.
1 teaspoon Salt – Enhances the overall flavor of the biscuits.
1 cup Buttermilk – Adds a tangy flavor and tender texture to the dough. If you don’t have buttermilk you can make a quick substitute by mixing 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.
1/2 cup 1 stick Unsalted Butter – This is melted and poured into the baking dish, where the biscuit dough will be placed to swim in as it bakes.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). This high temperature is key for getting that golden top and ensuring the biscuits rise properly.
Prepare the butter: Melt the butter in the microwave or on the stove. Pour the melted butter into an 8×8 inch baking dish, ensuring the bottom is fully covered. The amount of butter might seem excessive, but it’s what gives these biscuits their distinctive flavor and texture.

Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, and salt. This ensures the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
Add the buttermilk: Pour the buttermilk into the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined; the dough will be sticky. It’s important not to overmix to ensure your biscuits stay tender.
Assemble the biscuits: Using a spoon or your hands, create small dough balls and place them into the baking dish with the melted butter. The dough should be nestled closely together but not necessarily touching. The butter will surround each piece of dough as it bakes.

Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and cooked through. The high edges and corners tend to bake to a delightful crisp, contrasting with the soft centers.
Serve warm: Let the biscuits cool for a few minutes before serving. They’re best enjoyed fresh from the oven, with the buttery goodness at its peak.