Ham and Cheese Butter Swim
Introducing Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
I’ve been baking homemade biscuits for over 20 years, but these Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe have completely changed my breakfast game! These golden delights literally swim in butter before baking, creating
the most tender, flavorful biscuits you’ll ever taste. Moreover, the addition of savory ham and melty cheese takes this classic to an entirely new level of deliciousness!
The first time I made these Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe, my family devoured the entire batch in minutes. Subsequently, they’ve become our Sunday morning tradition. Furthermore, they’re
ridiculously easy to make with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Therefore, let me show you how to create these irresistible treats that combine buttery goodness with savory flavors!
5 Reasons You’ll Love This Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
- Outrageously Buttery – These biscuits are literally swimming in butter, creating a crispy golden bottom and tender interior!
- Flavor Explosion – The combination of salty ham and melty cheese creates perfect savory bites.
- ️ Super Quick – No rolling or cutting dough! Just mix, pour, and bake.
- Family Favorite – Even picky eaters can’t resist these heavenly biscuits.
- Versatile – Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or alongside soup for dinner.
Let’s Talk Ingredients for Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
The beauty of this Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe lies in its simple, accessible ingredients. In fact, you probably have most of these staples in your pantry and refrigerator right now! Let’s break down
what makes these biscuits so special, ingredient by ingredient. Additionally, I’ll share some substitution options if you need to make adjustments based on what you have on hand!
All-Purpose Flour
The foundation of our Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe starts with regular all-purpose flour. However, for a slightly different texture, you could substitute up to half with whole wheat flour. Besides providing structure,
the flour combines with our leavening agents to create that perfect rise. Furthermore, I don’t recommend using self-rising flour in this recipe as we’re adding our own perfect balance of leavening agents.
Butter (The Star!)
The highlight of any butter swim biscuit is, obviously, the butter! I recommend using unsalted butter since we’re adding ham and cheese which already contribute saltiness. Nevertheless, if you only have salted
butter, simply reduce the added salt in the recipe. Above all, use real butter for this Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe – margarine won’t create the same magical results that make these biscuits famous!
Diced Ham
For the ham in our Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe, I typically use leftover holiday ham diced into small cubes. Alternatively, good-quality deli ham works wonderfully too! Meanwhile, if you’re feeling adventurous,
try substituting bacon or even diced turkey. In addition, make sure your ham pieces are evenly diced for consistent distribution throughout the biscuits. Most importantly, this savory element adds wonderful texture and flavor!
Cheese Options
I love using sharp cheddar in this Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe because it stands up beautifully to the other flavors. However, feel free to experiment with your favorite cheeses! Swiss pairs wonderfully
with ham, while pepper jack adds a nice kick. Consequently, you might find yourself making these biscuits with different cheese varieties each time! Moreover, freshly grated cheese melts much better than pre-shredded options.
Buttermilk Magic
Buttermilk is the secret to tender, tangy biscuits in this Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe. Nevertheless, if you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon
of lemon juice or vinegar to regular milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes. As a result, you’ll still get that wonderful tanginess that makes these biscuits so special!
How to Make Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
Let me walk you through creating these incredible Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe step by step! First, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Then, grab an 8×8 or 9×9 inch baking dish and
place the stick of butter in it. Next, put the dish in the oven while it’s preheating to melt the butter completely. Meanwhile, let’s prepare our biscuit dough!
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 teaspoons sugar. After that, stir in 1 cup diced ham and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Subsequently,
pour in 1¾ cups buttermilk and stir just until combined. Be careful not to overmix – consequently, your biscuits might become tough rather than tender. Therefore, stop mixing once there are no dry spots!
By now, your butter should be completely melted and possibly bubbling. Accordingly, remove the hot dish from the oven carefully. Following that, pour your biscuit batter over the melted butter. In addition, don’t stir – the
butter will work its way through the dough during baking. Then, use a knife to score the top of the dough into 9 or 12 portions, cutting just about halfway through.
Place the Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe into the hot oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the edges are crispy. Afterward, let the biscuits cool for
about 5 minutes before serving. Finally, enjoy these heavenly, buttery treats while they’re still warm! Moreover, they pair wonderfully with scrambled eggs or a fresh salad for a complete meal. ️
7 Pro Tips for Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe Success
- Keep ingredients cold – Except for the melted butter, cold buttermilk and chilled cheese make flakier biscuits.
- Don’t overmix – Mix just until combined to avoid tough biscuits.
- Preheat thoroughly – A properly preheated oven ensures even baking and proper rise.
- ️ Score properly – Cut only halfway through the dough so butter can circulate during baking.
- Grate fresh cheese – Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that affect melting.
- Pat ham dry – Remove excess moisture from ham for better texture.
- ️ Watch the edges – They should be golden brown and slightly crispy when done.
Common Cooking Mistakes to Avoid with Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
Even though this Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe is fairly foolproof, there are a few pitfalls to watch for. First, using too much flour can make your biscuits dry and dense. Therefore, measure carefully
using the spoon-and-level method rather than scooping directly with your measuring cup. Additionally, avoid opening the oven door frequently during baking.
Another common mistake is using cold butter in the pan. Unlike traditional biscuit recipes where cold butter is cut into flour, this buttery biscuits recipe requires fully melted, hot butter. Otherwise, you won’t get
that signature “swim” effect. Furthermore, don’t skip the scoring step – it helps the biscuits cook evenly and makes serving much easier.
Lastly, be mindful of your ham’s salt content when making Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe. Consequently, you might need to adjust the added salt in your recipe. For instance, if using a very
salty ham or salted butter, reduce the additional salt to maintain balance. Moreover, don’t be tempted to add extra cheese – too much can make the biscuits greasy rather than tender.
FAQs About Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
Can I make Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe ahead of time?
You can prepare the dry ingredients and ham/cheese mix ahead of time. However, once you add the buttermilk, you should bake immediately. Nevertheless, baked biscuits can be stored for 1-2 days and reheated in the
oven for 5 minutes at 350°F. As a result, they’ll regain much of their original texture. Yet, they’re truly best when freshly baked!
Can I freeze these Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe?
Yes! After baking and cooling completely, wrap individual biscuits tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Subsequently, they can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator
and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. Consequently, you can enjoy these delicious biscuits whenever a craving strikes! ️
Can I make this Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! I’ve had success using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. However, the texture may be slightly different. Moreover, be sure your baking powder and other ingredients are certified gluten-free if necessary. Therefore,
those with gluten sensitivities can still enjoy this amazing recipe with a simple substitution.
What can I serve with Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe?
These biscuits are versatile! For breakfast, pair them with scrambled eggs and fresh fruit. Alternatively, they make a wonderful side for soups and stews at dinner. Furthermore, they’re delicious on their own as
a snack or light lunch. In addition, try drizzling a bit of honey on top for a sweet-savory combination that’s absolutely divine!
Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 22 minutes
Yields: 9 biscuits
Ingredients:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1¾ cups buttermilk
- 1 cup diced ham
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Place the stick of butter in an 8×8 or 9×9 inch baking dish and put it in the oven while preheating to melt the butter completely.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
- Add the diced ham and shredded cheese to the dry ingredients and mix to combine.
- Pour in the buttermilk and stir just until all dry ingredients are moistened. Do not overmix.
- Once the butter is completely melted in the baking dish, carefully remove it from the oven.
- Pour the biscuit batter evenly over the melted butter. Do not stir.
- Use a knife to score the top of the dough into 9 portions, cutting only about halfway through.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the edges are crispy.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Final Thoughts on Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
There’s something truly magical about these Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe that keeps my family requesting them week after week. Perhaps it’s the way the butter creates that perfect crispy bottom. Alternatively,
maybe it’s how the savory ham and melted cheese create pockets of flavor in every bite. In any case, they’ve become a cherished recipe in my home.
I hope you’ll try this Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe and experience the joy of watching your loved ones’ faces light up as they taste these incredible biscuits. Moreover, don’t be afraid to make
this recipe your own by experimenting with different cheese varieties or herbs. Subsequently, you might discover a new family favorite variation! Finally, I’d love to hear how your buttery biscuits recipe turns out in the comments below!