Description
Classic Butter Swim Biscuits are a delightful Southern-style treat made by baking a simple biscuit batter directly in melted butter. The biscuits achieve a tender, flaky texture with a golden, crispy top from the butter bath beneath. This comforting recipe combines the richness of butter with the tanginess of buttermilk for an irresistibly fluffy and buttery biscuit perfect for breakfast or a side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2½ cups (312 g) all-purpose flour, unbleached
- 4 tsp baking powder, fresh
- 1 tbsp (12 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tsp kosher salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups (414 ml) buttermilk, room temperature, low-fat or whole
Other
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Melt Butter: Set the oven to 450°F (232°C) and let it heat completely. Place the 1-inch cubes of unsalted butter into a square glass baking dish. Carefully transfer the dish to the oven and allow the butter to melt until it is bubbling but not browned. Monitor closely to prevent the butter from burning.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, and kosher salt until evenly combined. This ensures all dry ingredients are well distributed throughout the batter.
- Add Buttermilk: Slowly pour the room-temperature buttermilk into the dry ingredients. Stir gently using a spatula or spoon just until combined. It’s okay if some lumps remain; avoid overmixing to preserve tender and fluffy biscuits.
- Combine Dough with Melted Butter: Carefully remove the baking dish with the melted butter from the oven. Pour the biscuit dough over the hot butter without stirring or mixing it in. Use a spatula to gently spread the dough evenly across the dish. The dough does not need to be perfectly smooth as it will settle during baking.
- Bake Biscuits: Place the baking dish back in the oven and bake for 23 minutes. The biscuits are done when the top is golden brown and the edges start to crisp. Halfway through baking, rotate the baking dish to ensure even browning. If the edges brown too quickly, tent the dish with aluminum foil after 15 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven and allow the biscuits to cool for at least 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh baking powder for best rise and texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep biscuits tender.
- Monitor the melting butter closely to prevent burning and bitterness.
- Room temperature buttermilk helps achieve an even mixture.
- Rotate the baking dish during baking for even browning.
- If biscuits brown too fast on edges, tent with foil mid-bake.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
