These Butter Swim Biscuits are baked in a pool of butter until golden brown with crispy edges and the most incredibly tender center. Then they're served with TWO over-the-top butters! A sweet honey whipped brown butter and a bold cowboy butter, for the ultimate buttery goodness moment.
Why You'll Love It
Butter Swim Biscuits are one of those magical recipes that feel fancy but are secretly so easy. As a recipe developer and busy mom, I love recipes that skip the extra steps but still deliver big flavor. These homemade butter swim biscuits come together with simple ingredients you probably already have, and they bake up in a single baking dish with zero fuss.
Instead of using biscuit cutters or worrying about cold butter, this biscuit dough is mixed in a medium bowl and poured right into a pool of melted butter. That stick of butter creates the most insane buttery crust with golden edges and a perfect crispy texture along the bottom of the dish, while the inside stays soft with a tender crumb and rich flavor. It's the kind of buttery biscuits situation that makes you question why you ever made them any other way.
And let's talk about the toppings. There's the most perfect whipped brown butter for a sweet moment and a savory, herby cowboy butter that melts into every nook of those hot biscuits. Whether it's your first time making homemade biscuits or you're already obsessed, this recipe hits every time. Serve them with both of these delicious flavored butters, some sausage gravy, strawberry jam, or just eat them straight from the pan!
Ingredients & Substitutions
These simple ingredients come together to create the most delicious biscuits with a buttery flavor and golden brown finish. This is seriously one of the easiest homemade biscuits recipes you'll ever try.
For the Butter Swim Biscuits
- Salted Butter: This is the base of the pool of butter that creates those buttery edges and crispy edges. You can also use unsalted butter if you wish!
- All Purpose Flour: The foundation of the biscuit dough. All purpose flour works perfectly to create a tender crumb without being too dense.
- Baking Powder: Helps the unbaked dough rise into fluffy, buttery biscuits. Do not skip.
- Kosher Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the richness.
- Sugar: Adds just a touch of sweetness to complement the tart buttermilk flavor.
- Buttermilk: Gives that classic tangy flavor and keeps the biscuits soft. If you don't have it, you can mix a cup of milk with tablespoons of lemon juice and let it sit.
For the Flavored Butters
- Salted Butter: Unsalted butter also works - just add a pinch of salt to make up for it!
- Honey: Adds sweetness to the whipped brown butter for the perfect drizzle of honey situation.
- Cinnamon: Brings a cozy, warm flavor to the sweet butter.
- Chives: Fresh and bright, they balance the richness of the cowboy butter.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds tang and depth. Swap for grainy mustard if needed.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Gives that savory, umami kick. Soy sauce would work as a substitute.
- Garlic Powder: Adds subtle garlic flavor without overpowering. Fresh grated garlic also works.
- Dried Thyme: Earthy and aromatic. Fresh would also work if you have it!
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a hint of smoky warmth. You can skip it if you only have regular paprika.
How to Make It
This easy recipe skips complicated techniques and delivers buttery goodness with minimal effort. You don't need biscuit cutters or a cast iron skillet - literally just a baking dish and a few pantry staples!
- PREHEAT & MELT BUTTER: Add 1 stick of butter to a baking dish and place it in the oven as it preheats. Let it melt completely so you have a pool of butter covering the bottom of the dish.
- MIX DRY INGREDIENTS: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Stir until combined.
- ADD BUTTERMILK: Pour in the buttermilk and mix until a soft biscuit dough forms. Do not overmix-this keeps the tender center intact.
- ASSEMBLE DOUGH: Carefully pour the biscuit dough over the top of the melted butter. Use a spatula to gently spread it to the edges.
- CUT DOUGH: Use a sharp knife to score the unbaked dough into squares before baking. This helps create those classic butter biscuits portions.
- BAKE: Bake until the top is golden brown and the edges are crispy and golden. The bottom of the dish will be bubbling with buttery goodness.
- MAKE HONEY WHIPPED BROWN BUTTER: Meanwhile, In a small saucepan, brown 2 sticks of butter over medium heat until golden and nutty. Let it cool slightly, then transfer to a small bowl and whip with honey and cinnamon until light and fluffy.
- MAKE COWBOY BUTTER: In a small bowl, mix softened room temperature butter with chives, dijon, worcestershire, garlic powder, thyme, and smoked paprika.
- SERVE: Serve hot biscuits with both butters. Or simply add a drizzle of honey, a swipe of strawberry jam, or go savory with sausage gravy.
- SAVE: Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Reheat to bring back that buttery crust and tender crumb.
What to Serve It With
These delicious biscuits are the perfect side dish for just about anything. Serve them alongside eggs for breakfast, or in a chicken biscuit sandwich situation. Try dunking them in sausage gravy, top with pimento cheese, or pair them with soups, stews, or roasted meats. They also make the ultimate biscuit for my Southern Thanksgiving recipe spread.
Recipe
Butter Swim Biscuits with Honey Whipped Brown Butter & Cowboy Butter
Equipment
- 9x9 Glass Baking Dish (this is for thicker higher biscuits)
- 13x9 Glass Baking DIsh (this is for thinner wider biscuits)
Ingredients
Butter Swim Biscuits
- 1 stick Salted Butter
- 2.5 cups All Purpose Flour
- 4 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 tablespoon White Sugar
- 2 cups Buttermilk
Cowboy Butter
- 2 sticks Salted Butter room temp
- ⅓ cup Chives finely cut
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Dried Thyme
- ¼ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Add butter to a baking dish (size options with notes above) and place in the oven until melted.
- In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
- Add buttermilk and stir until combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour dough over melted butter and spread evenly.
- Use a knife to score into squares.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Meanwhile, make the butters. For the brown butter, melt butter over medium heat until browned. Let cool slightly, then whip with honey and cinnamon.
- For cowboy butter, mix all ingredients until combined.
- Serve warm with both butters.
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