These Breakfast Butter Swim Biscuits are fluffy and buttery treats that are perfect for starting your day. They swim in a pool of melted butter, making every bite oh-so-delicious!
Honestly, who wouldn’t want buttery goodness for breakfast? I love pairing them with jam or honey for a sweet touch. They’re so easy to whip up, even on busy mornings—win-win! 🥳
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of the biscuits, giving them structure. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure it’s a blend designed for baking!
Cold Unsalted Butter: The key to flaky biscuits! Keep your butter cold to create a beautiful texture. If you’re short on butter, you can use coconut oil, but keep it chilled as well. I find butter gives the best flavor.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: This adds a delicious cheesy flavor. If you prefer a milder taste, you can use mild cheddar or even mozzarella. For a fun twist, try pepper jack for a kick!
Whole Milk or Buttermilk: Buttermilk makes biscuits super tender and adds a tangy flavor. If you don’t have it on hand, mix milk with a teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for a few minutes—it works great!
How Do You Achieve the Perfect Biscuit Texture?
Getting that fluffy texture is all about handling the dough with care. Here’s how to nail it:
- When cutting the butter into the flour, aim for coarse crumbs. You want to see bits of butter—that’s what creates flakiness!
- Mix the wet and dry ingredients just until combined. Overmixing will make the biscuits tough, and nobody wants that!
- When patting out the dough, don’t roll it too thin. About 1 inch thick keeps them fluffy enough. If they look a bit rough, that’s perfectly fine!
By following these tips, your biscuits will turn out light and airy, making breakfast even more enjoyable!
How to Make Breakfast Butter Swim Biscuits
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup whole milk (or buttermilk for richer flavor)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (for swimming/basting the biscuits)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 10 minutes of prep time and 15-18 minutes of baking time. So in about 30 minutes, you can have warm, buttery biscuits ready to enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). While it’s heating up, grease a 9×9-inch baking dish with a bit of butter or cooking spray. You can also line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Whisk these together until everything is blended evenly.
3. Add Cold Butter
Now, add your cold butter pieces to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. You should still see some small pea-sized pieces of butter—this is what makes the biscuits flaky.
4. Stir in Cheese
Once the butter is mixed in, add in the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until it’s evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
5. Mix Wet Ingredients
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the milk and egg until combined. This will help make your biscuits rich and delicious!
6. Combine Wet and Dry
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a little stickiness is normal!
7. Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead gently a few times to bring it all together. Pat or roll the dough out into a rectangle about 1 inch thick. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect—rustic is charming!
8. Cut and Arrange
Cut the dough into 8 equal squares and place them in your prepared baking dish. Make sure they are close but not touching each other.
9. Add Melted Butter
Drizzle the 1/4 cup of melted butter generously over the tops of the biscuits. This is what makes them swim in that buttery goodness while they bake!
10. Bake
Pop the dish in the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Cool and Enjoy!
After baking, take the biscuits out and let them cool slightly before serving. They are best enjoyed warm with a bit of extra butter, jam, or honey—whatever makes your taste buds happy!
Enjoy these buttery, cheesy biscuits as a delightful start to your day or a comforting snack anytime!
Can I Use Whole Wheat Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
Yes! Whole wheat flour can be used, but it may result in denser biscuits. For a lighter texture, consider replacing half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or using a whole wheat pastry flour.
How Do I Store Leftover Biscuits?
Store any leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transferring to a freezer bag after they’re frozen solid. They’ll keep for about 2 months!
Can I Make These Biscuits Without Cheese?
Absolutely! If you prefer cheese-free biscuits, simply omit the cheese from the recipe. You can also add herbs or spices for additional flavor, like garlic powder or fresh chives!
What Should I Serve with These Biscuits?
These biscuits are delicious on their own, but you can enjoy them with butter, jam, or honey. They also pair wonderfully with breakfast dishes like eggs, bacon, or even as a side with soups and stews!