My neighbor knocked on my door at 7:15 a.m. last Tuesday, still in her robe, asking if I had “those buttery biscuits” ready. She’d caught the aroma drifting through her kitchen window while I was pulling my Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits from the oven. These aren’t your grandmother’s dry, crumbly biscuits—they’re pillowy-soft, swimming in melted butter, and packed with smoky ham and sharp cheddar.

 

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup buttermilk (240ml)
• ½ cup butter, melted (115g)
• 1 cup diced ham (150g)
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (115g)
• ¼ cup butter for the pan (60g)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Melt ¼ cup butter in a 9×13 baking dish inside the oven.
3. Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large bowl.
4. Stir in buttermilk and ½ cup melted butter until just combined.
5. Fold in diced ham and shredded cheddar cheese gently.
6. Remove the hot buttered dish from oven carefully.
7. Drop batter into the melted butter using a large spoon.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown on top.

Boom!

Pro Tips & Variations

Cheese swaps: Y’all’re gonna love these with smoked gouda or pepper jack instead of cheddar. The smokiness plays beautifully with the ham’s saltiness.

Make-ahead magic: Mix your dry ingredients the night before and store in the fridge. Come morning, just add the wet ingredients and you’re good to go with.

Herb boost: Fresh chives or dried thyme elevate these biscuits from simple to spectacular—about 2 tablespoons does the trick.

Storage & Food Safety

Store leftover Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. The FDA recommends reheating to 165°F (74°C) internal temperature. I like popping them in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes—that crispy bottom comes right back.

Never leave these beauties at room temperature longer than 2 hours, especially with that ham and cheese situation happening.

Nutrition & Serving Ideas

Per serving (makes 12):

• Calories: 285
• Protein: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fat: 18g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sodium: 650mg

 

These biscuits shine alongside scrambled eggs and crispy bacon for weekend brunch. My dad nearly set the smoke alarm off at 6:43 a.m. last St. Patrick’s Day trying to fry eggs while these were baking—the sizzling sound mixed with the oven timer created pure kitchen chaos.

Pair with smoked salmon and cream cheese for something fancy, or serve with maple syrup for the sweet-and-salty crowd.

FAQs

 

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk? You can, but buttermilk gives these Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits their signature tangy flavor and tender texture. In a pinch, add 1 tablespoon lemon juice to regular milk.

 

Why are my biscuits dense? Overmixing is the usual culprit. Stir just until ingredients come together—lumpy batter makes fluffy biscuits. Think of it like Tim Hortons coffee: sometimes imperfect is perfect.

 

Can I freeze the unbaked batter? Absolutely! Freeze in portions and bake directly from frozen, adding 5-10 extra minutes. The butter swim method works beautifully even with frozen batter.

---

 

I’ve been perfecting comfort food recipes in my Halifax kitchen for over 15 years, sharing tried-and-true favorites that bring families together around the dinner table.