Cheddar Bay Butter Swim Biscuits
Cheddar Bay Butter Swim Biscuits are a variation of buttery, cheesy biscuits known for their rich flavor and soft texture. These biscuits are often associated with Red Lobster’s famous “Cheddar Bay Biscuits,” but the “swim” method refers to how they’re baked. Essentially, the dough is “swimming” in a pool of melted butter. If you like this recipe, then try my Dinner Rolls recipe next!
Here’s a breakdown of what makes them so irresistible:
1. Cheddar Cheese
The biscuits are loaded with sharp cheddar cheese, which gives them a rich, tangy flavor. The cheese also melts into the dough, creating pockets of cheesy goodness throughout each biscuit.
2. Tender Texture
The dough is light and fluffy, with a slightly crumbly interior. The use of buttermilk or milk in the dough adds to the softness, making each bite melt in your mouth.
3. Buttery Topping
After the biscuits are baked, they are brushed with a generous layer of garlic butter, giving them a decadent finish. The garlic butter is typically made with melted butter, garlic powder, parsley, and sometimes a bit of salt. This adds a savory, aromatic layer to the biscuits.
4. Swimming in Butter
The “swim” part refers to the biscuit dough being placed in a baking dish that already has melted butter inside. As the biscuits bake, the butter “swims” around the dough. Thus soaking into the biscuits and creating a wonderfully moist, buttery result.
5. Flavor Profile
These biscuits are a delightful combination of savory, garlicky, and cheesy flavors, making them the perfect side dish to pair with seafood, soups, salads, or even enjoyed on their own.
The unique mix of textures—from the crispy edges to the soft, melt-in-your-mouth center—combined with the indulgent buttery topping, makes Cheddar Bay Butter Swim Biscuits a popular comfort food choice.
Cheddar Bay Butter Swim Biscuits
Ingredients
- 2½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1¾ cups buttermilk
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp chives
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
Instructions
- To a glass baking dish, melt butter directly in the dish. This can either be done in the microwave or in your oven during pre-heating.
- Pre-heat your oven to 450℉
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt sugar, and garlic powder.
- Slowly add in buttermilk and fold it in. Once almost combined, add in cheddar and chives. Once complete, dough should be sticky, but not runny.
- Put dough into the baking dish. Spread it out to touch all corners. If some of the melted butter touches the top of the dough, its completely fine.
- Using a knife, cut 9 biscuits into the dough.
- Bake for 20 minutes. When the 20 minutes are up, butter will still be bubbling around the perimeter. This is normal.
- Allow the remaining butter about 10 minutes to absorb into the biscuits and enjoy!
