Breakfast Butter Swim Biscuits

Featured in: Start Your Day Right

Enjoy savory breakfast biscuits featuring browned sausage and shredded cheddar, baked in a generous bed of melted butter. Fluffy, golden, and delicately crisp at the edges, these squares combine a buttery crust with a soft, cheesy interior. Simple steps bring together classic breakfast flavors, making them ideal for hearty mornings or sharing at the table. Every bite offers satisfying richness and comfort, perfect with a side of eggs or fresh fruit. Serve warm for the best texture and flavor.

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Updated on Thu, 26 Jun 2025 18:09:57 GMT
A plate of biscuits with a bowl of butter. Pin it
A plate of biscuits with a bowl of butter. | tastygusto.com

These buttery, cheesy breakfast swim biscuits are pure comfort and make any morning feel extra special. The dough gets poured right into a pool of butter before baking, infusing every crumb with rich flavor and producing supremely soft biscuits with golden edges. When I want something satisfying and fuss-free for brunch, these never let me down.

The first time I tried these, I was amazed at how simple the dough came together. Even after a hectic morning, these biscuits turn out perfectly and make everyone at the table reach for seconds.

Ingredients

  • Breakfast sausage: Adds a savory layer and makes each bite satisfying. I look for fresh sausage with balanced seasoning.
  • All purpose flour: Provides structure to the biscuits. Choose unbleached for a classic taste.
  • Granulated sugar: Adds just a hint of sweetness that balances the sausage and cheese.
  • Baking powder: Ensures the biscuits rise tall and fluffy. Check it’s fresh for best results.
  • Buttermilk: Keeps biscuits soft and lends an unmistakable tang. Full fat buttermilk gives the richest flavor.
  • Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts into the dough for gooey pockets of flavor. Use sharp cheddar for the boldest taste and shred it fresh for best melt.
  • Salted butter: Pooled in the pan for those signature buttery bottoms. Choose a quality butter for the best results.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the Dish:
Spray a nine inch glass or ceramic baking dish with nonstick spray and preheat your oven to four hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit. Prep the pan early so the dough can be spread easily.
Cook the Sausage:
In a large skillet over medium high heat, cook the breakfast sausage. Stir frequently for eight to ten minutes until completely browned and no pink remains. Transfer to paper towels to drain off excess fat. Let cool slightly.
Make the Biscuit Dough:
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and baking powder. Pour in one and three fourths cup of buttermilk and stir with a spatula until a sticky dough starts to form. If the dough looks too dry, add more buttermilk a little at a time.
Add Cheese and Sausage:
Gently stir the shredded cheddar cheese and cooled cooked sausage into the dough. Use a light hand to keep the biscuits tender.
Pour Butter in Pan:
Pour melted salted butter all across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Make sure it covers the entire base.
Assemble and Cut Dough:
Drop large spoonfuls of biscuit dough over the melted butter. Try to spread the dough out as evenly as possible in the pan. Use a bench scraper or butter knife to gently score the dough into nine squares. This helps with even baking and easy serving.
Bake the Biscuits:
Place the pan on the middle rack of your oven. Bake for twenty five to thirty minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through for even browning. If biscuits get too dark, cover loosely with foil. Biscuits are done when golden and a toothpick inserted in the center pulls out clean.
A plate of cheese biscuits. Pin it
A plate of cheese biscuits. | tastygusto.com

Cheddar is my absolute favorite cheese for this recipe because it gives a gooey texture. I remember making these after a chilly soccer practice and the cheesy aroma brought everyone straight to the kitchen laughing and hungry.

Storage Tips

Once cooled, these biscuits keep well stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, pop leftovers in the fridge and reheat gently in the oven or microwave. If you want to freeze them, wrap individually and place in a zip top bag. Then reheat from frozen for a quick breakfast.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can change up the cheese to pepper jack or Swiss for a new flavor twist. I have also used turkey sausage with great results. If fresh buttermilk is unavailable, mix one tablespoon lemon juice into regular milk and let it sit for five minutes before using.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these biscuits hot and fresh for breakfast alongside scrambled eggs or fruit. They also work as a hearty base for breakfast sandwiches. Split and fill them with eggs and extra sausage for a meal that sticks with you. My family loves these slathered with homemade jam on the side.

Cultural and Historical Notes

Baking biscuits in a pool of butter is a classic Southern technique that guarantees rich flavor and those golden crusty edges. These biscuits have become a weekend tradition in my family and always remind me of cozy breakfasts growing up. The dish brings together the comfort of Southern cooking in every buttery bite.

A plate of biscuits with cheese on top. Pin it
A plate of biscuits with cheese on top. | tastygusto.com

Nothing brings a crowd together faster than the smell of these butter swim biscuits baking. I hope you enjoy them as much as my family does on lazy holiday mornings.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different sausage variety?

Yes, try spicy or turkey sausage for an alternative flavor. Adjust seasoning as needed to suit your taste.

→ Can these biscuits be made ahead?

They are best fresh, but you can bake, cool, and reheat gently in the oven the next day for convenience.

→ What type of cheddar works best?

Sharp cheddar melts well and adds more flavor, but mild cheddar or a blend can be used if preferred.

→ Is it possible to substitute buttermilk?

You can use a mix of milk with a splash of lemon juice or vinegar if buttermilk isn't available.

→ How do I prevent overbrowning?

If the top browns quickly, cover lightly with foil during the last minutes of baking for even color.

Breakfast Butter Swim Biscuits

Tender biscuits with sausage and cheddar, baked in melted butter for a rich, golden breakfast treat.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 9 Servings (Makes 9 large biscuits)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 450 grams breakfast sausage
02 315 grams all-purpose flour
03 13 grams granulated sugar
04 13 grams baking powder
05 415 to 470 milliliters buttermilk
06 170 grams shredded cheddar cheese
07 115 grams salted butter, melted

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 230°C. Grease a 23x23 cm glass or ceramic baking dish with nonstick spray.

Step 02

Brown the breakfast sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 8–10 minutes until fully cooked and no pink remains. Drain excess fat on paper towels.

Step 03

In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, and baking powder. Stir in 415 milliliters buttermilk until a sticky batter forms. Incorporate additional buttermilk, if required, to achieve a cohesive mixture. Gently fold in shredded cheddar cheese and cooked sausage.

Step 04

Pour melted butter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Spoon the biscuit dough on top and spread gently into an even layer. Using a knife or bench scraper, cut into 9 equal squares.

Step 05

Bake on the middle rack for 25–30 minutes, rotating the pan once during baking. Remove when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cover loosely with aluminum foil if biscuits brown too quickly.

Notes

  1. If you prefer crispier biscuit edges, ensure the dough directly touches the melted butter before baking.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • 23x23 cm glass or ceramic baking dish
  • Oven
  • Bench scraper or sharp knife

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains gluten, dairy, and potential traces of soy in processed sausage.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 430
  • Total Fat: 28 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
  • Protein: 17 g