Can I make these biscuits without a deep baking dish?

Yes, you can use a standard 9x13 baking dish, but place a baking sheet underneath to catch any potential butter overflow. The deep dish recommendation helps contain the butter as the biscuits bake and absorb it.

Why are my biscuits not rising properly?

This usually happens when your baking powder isn't fresh or when the batter is overmixed. Baking powder loses its potency over time, so replace it every 6-12 months. Also, make sure your oven is fully preheated before baking.

Can I use a different cheese combination?

Absolutely! While the medium and white cheddar provide a perfect balance, you can experiment with other melting cheeses like monterey jack, gouda, or gruyere. Just maintain the same total amount of cheese for proper consistency.

Is there a way to make these less rich?

You can reduce the butter to 1/3 cup, though this will change the signature "butter swim" effect. The buttermilk could also be replaced with regular milk for a slightly lighter version, but the texture will be different.

Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe

Description

These Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits are ultra-moist, cheesy biscuits swirled with savory ham and chives. Perfect as a snack, breakfast, or side, they’re baked in a buttery bath for maximum flavor and golden, crispy edges. Easy to prepare in one dish, these irresistible biscuits combine the classic flavors of cheddar and ham for a crowd-pleasing treat.

Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients

2 1/2 cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons garlic powder

Cheese Mixture

1 cup (113 g) medium cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup (113 g) white cheddar cheese, shredded

Other Add-Ins

1 cup (135 g) cooked ham, diced
1/4 cup (12 g) chives, chopped

Wet Ingredients

2 cups (490 g) buttermilk
1/2 cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted

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Instructions

Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Spray a 7×11-inch deep baking dish (2-3 inches deep) with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, add flour, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder. Whisk together until thoroughly combined and evenly distributed.
Mix Cheeses: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix the shredded medium cheddar with the shredded white cheddar cheese.
Add Cheese, Ham & Chives: To the flour mixture, add 1 cup of the blended cheeses. Then, fold in the diced ham and chopped chives.
Incorporate Buttermilk: Pour in the buttermilk and stir gently until the mixture is just combined. Do not overmix—some lumps are okay.
Prepare Baking Dish with Butter: Pour the melted butter into the prepared baking dish. Carefully transfer the dough on top of the butter. Use a spatula or your hands to evenly spread the dough out to all edges of the pan.
Add Remaining Cheese: Evenly sprinkle the remaining cup of mixed cheese over the top of the biscuit dough.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 26–28 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Cool & Serve: Remove the biscuits from the oven. Let them rest for a few minutes to allow the butter to be fully absorbed. Cut into squares and serve warm.

Notes

Ensure your baking dish is at least 2-3 inches deep to prevent butter from spilling over while baking.
If using a shallow dish, place a baking sheet underneath to catch any overflow.
Do not overwork the dough—mix until just combined for tender biscuits.
These biscuits are best served warm and fresh out of the oven.
You can substitute the ham with cooked bacon or turkey if preferred.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 biscuit
Calories: 447 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 870 mg
Fat: 28 g
Saturated Fat: 16 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 37 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 15 g
Cholesterol: 76 mg