Butter Swim Biscuits are a Southern delight, known for their fluffy texture and buttery goodness. This recipe ensures you’ll achieve that perfect balance of tender biscuit with a rich buttery flavor. Let’s dive into how you can recreate this classic comfort food at home!
Ingredients:
- A generous ½ cup of good ol’ unsalted butter (because everything’s better with butter)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (the backbone of our biscuits)
- 4 heaping teaspoons of baking powder
- 4 teaspoons of white sugar (just enough sweetness)
- A dash, or about 1 teaspoon, of salt
- 1 ¾ cups fresh buttermilk (the secret to fluffy biscuits)
Instructions:
- Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Cut in the Butter:
- In a large mixing bowl, cut the cold butter into small cubes. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- Add the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt to the bowl with the butter. Mix gently until combined.
- Add Buttermilk:
- Pour in the buttermilk and stir until the dough just comes together. It should be slightly sticky but manageable.
- Form Biscuits:
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat the dough into a rectangle about 1-inch thick.
- Cut Out Biscuits:
- Using a round biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass, cut out biscuits and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Gather any remaining dough, gently pat it out, and cut out more biscuits.
- Butter Bath:
- Melt the remaining butter and pour it over the tops of the biscuits. Make sure each biscuit gets a generous amount of butter.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown on top.
- Serve Warm:
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm with additional butter or your favorite jam.
Cook Notes:
- Buttermilk Tip: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 ¾ cups of milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Handling the Dough: Be gentle when mixing and shaping the dough to ensure light and fluffy biscuits. Overmixing or handling the dough too much can result in tough biscuits.
- Storage: These biscuits are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven for a few minutes to restore their warmth and fluffiness.
Variations:
- Cheese Biscuits: Fold in shredded cheddar cheese before adding the buttermilk for cheesy Butter Swim Biscuits.
- Herb Biscuits: Add dried herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary to the dry ingredients for a savory twist.
- Sweet Biscuits: Increase the sugar to 1/4 cup and add a dash of cinnamon for a sweeter version.
Keto and Low Carb Versions:
- Keto Version: Substitute almond flour for all-purpose flour and use keto-friendly sweeteners like erythritol instead of sugar. Adjust the amount of butter to fit your macros.
- Low Carb Version: Use a blend of almond flour and coconut flour to reduce the carb count. Replace buttermilk with almond milk mixed with vinegar.Mastering Butter Swim Biscuits is all about achieving that perfect balance of buttery richness and fluffy texture. Whether you enjoy them as a savory side dish or a sweet treat, these biscuits are sure to become a favorite at your table. Experiment with different variations to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. Serve them fresh out of the oven, and watch them disappear!
FAQs:
- Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
- Yes, you can use salted butter, but adjust the amount of additional salt accordingly to avoid over-salting the biscuits.
- Why is buttermilk important in this recipe?
- Buttermilk adds acidity, which reacts with the baking powder to create a light and fluffy texture in the biscuits.
- Can I freeze Butter Swim Biscuits?
- Yes, you can freeze unbaked biscuits. Place cut-out biscuits on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- How can I make these biscuits gluten-free?
- Substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour for regular flour. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
Enjoy baking these delicious Butter Swim Biscuits and sharing them with your loved ones!
