Butter Swim Biscuits

Butter Swim Biscuits are a wonderfully rich and flavorful Southern-style biscuit that’s made by bathing the biscuit dough in melted butter before baking. This method results in biscuits with a crisp, golden exterior and a soft, buttery interior. They’re incredibly easy to make and perfect for serving with anything from gravy to honey or alongside your favorite dinner.

Here’s a simple recipe for Butter Swim Biscuits:

Butter Swim Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup buttermilk (or whole milk, if you don’t have buttermilk)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, for brushing (optional, for extra flavor and shine)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or cast-iron skillet with 1/2 tablespoon of butter (or spray with cooking spray) to prevent the biscuits from sticking.

2. Make the Biscuit Dough:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar (if using). Stir the dry ingredients together to ensure they are evenly distributed.
• Add the butter (1/2 cup), and mix it in using your hands or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Slowly add the buttermilk (or regular milk), and stir gently until the dough just comes together. The dough will be somewhat sticky, which is exactly what you want.

3. Pour Butter Into the Baking Dish:

• Pour the 1/2 cup melted butter into the prepared baking dish or skillet, spreading it out to cover the bottom evenly.

4. Scoop the Dough:

• Using a spoon or an ice cream scoop, drop the biscuit dough into the melted butter in the baking dish. You can place the dough balls close together (they will rise and form soft sides) or spaced out slightly for more separate biscuits.

5. Bake the Biscuits:

• Bake the biscuits for 18-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. The biscuits should be fully set and puffed up.

6. Optional – Brush with Extra Butter:

• Once out of the oven, brush the hot biscuits with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter for extra richness and shine.

7. Serve:

• Serve the biscuits warm as a side dish with soups, stews, or alongside breakfast. They’re delicious with gravy, honey, butter, or jam.

Tips for Perfect Butter Swim Biscuits:

• Don’t Overwork the Dough: Overmixing the biscuit dough will result in dense biscuits. Stir the dough just until the ingredients are combined. A slightly sticky dough is okay.
• Cold Butter: For flakier biscuits, use cold butter in the dough. It helps create those delicious layers. When you melt the butter for the “swim,” it should be warm but not too hot when you add the dough to avoid overcooking the dough.
• Buttermilk Substitute: If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 3/4 cup of milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before using.
• Extra Crispy Biscuits: If you want a crispier crust on the bottom, use a cast-iron skillet to bake the biscuits, as it retains heat well and gives the biscuits a nice crispy edge.
• Add-ins: Feel free to add herbs like chives, garlic powder, or cheese into the dough for extra flavor.

Serving Suggestions:

• Gravy: Serve these biscuits with sausage gravy or cream gravy for a classic Southern breakfast.
• Honey or Jam: Spread a little honey or fruit preserves on the biscuits for a sweet breakfast or snack.
• With Dinner: These biscuits are perfect alongside roast chicken, fried chicken, or a bowl of soup.

Butter Swim Biscuits are the perfect balance of crispy, buttery, and fluffy. They’re incredibly easy to make and provide the ultimate comfort food. Whether you enjoy them for breakfast, with dinner, or as a snack, they are sure to become a family favorite!