If you’re looking for a cozy treat that combines flaky, buttery biscuits with a sweet cinnamon sugar swirl, you have to try the Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe. These biscuits aren’t just ordinary—they’re golden little pockets of comfort that swim in melted butter and a blanket of warm cinnamon sugar, creating a perfect harmony of texture and flavor. Whether you’re grabbing one for breakfast or an indulgent snack, this recipe is guaranteed to become a favorite in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe truly special is how simple the ingredient list is, but how each element plays an essential role in the final biscuit’s taste, texture, and that inviting golden color. From the flaky all-purpose flour base to the rich melted butter and sweet cinnamon sugar, everything comes together beautifully.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of your biscuits, providing structure and a tender crumb.
- 4 teaspoons baking powder: Gives the biscuits their light, fluffy rise.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Works with the buttermilk to help the biscuits rise and become extra tender.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (very cold, cubed): Adds flakiness and richness when incorporated into the dough.
- 3/4 cup buttermilk (very cold): Keeps the dough moist and tender with a subtle tang.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted): The luscious base for the “butter swim” in your baking dish.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the biscuits and contributes to the cinnamon sugar topping.
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and spice, elevating the flavor profile.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. This ensures that the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed, giving your biscuits a consistent rise and flavor with every bite.
Step 2: Cut in the Butter
Add your very cold, cubed butter to the dry mixture, and quickly use a pastry blender or your fingertips to incorporate it until the mix looks like coarse crumbs. This step creates the flaky layers that make biscuits so irresistible.
Step 3: Add the Buttermilk
Pour in the cold buttermilk and stir gently with a fork or spatula just until combined. The dough should look shaggy and a little sticky—overmixing can toughen your biscuits, so be gentle!
Step 4: Turn Out and Pat Down
Lightly flour a clean work surface, then turn the dough onto it. It’s time to gently pat your dough into a 1-inch-thick rectangle, which makes it easier to cut out uniform biscuits.
Step 5: Cut the Biscuits
Using a sharp biscuit cutter about 2-3 inches in diameter, press straight down without twisting to get perfectly shaped biscuit rounds. Twisting can seal the edges and prevent a good rise.
Step 6: Re-roll Scraps (Optional)
Gather the dough scraps, pat them down again gently, and cut out extra biscuits to get the most out of your batch. Every bit counts when these are this delicious!
Step 7: Melt the Butter
Completely melt the half cup of unsalted butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. This is the buttery bath your biscuits will “swim” in during baking.
Step 8: Combine Sugar and Cinnamon
Whisk the granulated sugar with the ground cinnamon in a small bowl until they are evenly blended, creating that sweet, spicy topping that will coat your biscuits beautifully.
Step 9: Prepare the Baking Dish
Pour the melted butter into a 9-inch square or similar oven-safe dish, spreading it to coat the entire bottom so each biscuit will soak up that butter love as it bakes.
Step 10: Arrange the Biscuits
Place your biscuit rounds snugly in the buttered dish—nestle them close but not overcrowded to encourage rising and soft sides that touch one another.
Step 11: Sprinkle with Cinnamon Sugar
Generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly all over the tops of the biscuits. This creates an irresistible crust that caramelizes just right in the oven.
Step 12: Bake
Bake your swimming biscuits in a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 20-25 minutes. Look for golden tops and fully cooked centers before pulling them out—they’re worth the anticipation.
Step 13: Cool Slightly
Allow the biscuits to cool in the baking dish for just a few minutes. This brief rest lets the butter soak in a little more and makes them easier (and less hot) to serve.
Step 14: Serve
Serve your warm Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits right from the dish. The melty butter and cinnamon sugar glaze make each bite heavenly and hard to resist.
How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey elevates these biscuits to a beautiful presentation. You can also add a dollop of whipped cream or a spoonful of jam on the side to balance the buttery sweetness with fresh fruit flavors.
Side Dishes
Pair these biscuits with a rich cup of coffee or a spicy chai latte for breakfast. For dessert, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a bowl of fresh berries complements the cinnamon and butter notes perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Try pulling the biscuits apart and layering them with cream cheese and sliced apples for a fun, shareable platter. Or serve them as mini sliders with ham and cheese for a savory twist that still has a hint of sweetness from the cinnamon sugar coating.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps them soft and ready for a quick snack or breakfast.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked biscuit dough for up to one month. Simply shape the biscuits, place them on a parchment-lined tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, bake them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
Reheat your biscuits in a warm oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes to regain that fresh-baked texture. You can also microwave for 20-30 seconds, but the oven method preserves crispness better.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
While regular milk works in a pinch, buttermilk adds a slight tang and tenderizes the dough, resulting in fluffier biscuits. You can make a buttermilk substitute by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
What type of butter is best for this recipe?
Unsalted butter is best because it gives you full control over the salt content in your biscuits. Plus, using very cold butter for the dough helps create those flaky layers that make these biscuits so delightful.
Can I make these biscuits gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum or a similar binder to help with the texture.
What if I don’t have a biscuit cutter?
No problem! Use the rim of a drinking glass or a cookie cutter approximately 2-3 inches in diameter. You can even simply cut the dough into squares for a rustic look.
How do I prevent the cinnamon sugar from burning on top?
Make sure the cinnamon sugar is evenly sprinkled and not heaping in one spot. If you notice it browning too fast, you can tent the dish loosely with foil halfway through baking.
Final Thoughts
You really owe it to yourself to try this Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe—it’s pure comfort in every bite, blending buttery, fluffy biscuits with a cinnamon-sugar sweetness that feels like a warm hug from your oven. Whether it’s for a weekend breakfast or a spontaneous treat, these biscuits are sure to brighten your day and bring smiles all around.
Print
Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 9-12 biscuits
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits are flaky, tender, and bursting with warm cinnamon sugar flavor. Perfectly baked until golden brown and drenched in melted butter and cinnamon sugar, these biscuits make an irresistible sweet breakfast or snack treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, very cold and cut into small cubes
- 3/4 cup buttermilk, very cold
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Topping
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute all leavening agents and salt.
- Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, quickly cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
- Add the Buttermilk: Pour in the cold buttermilk. Gently stir with a fork or spatula just until the dough comes together. The dough will be shaggy and slightly sticky; do not overmix.
- Turn Out and Pat Down: Lightly flour a clean work surface. Turn the dough out onto it and gently pat into a rectangle about 1 inch thick to prepare for cutting.
- Cut the Biscuits: Use a sharp biscuit cutter about 2-3 inches in diameter. Press straight down to cut biscuits without twisting to maintain their rise.
- Re-roll Scraps (Optional): Gather the dough scraps, pat into a rectangle again, and cut out additional biscuits to minimize waste.
- Melt the Butter: In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter completely to use for coating the baking dish and topping.
- Combine Sugar and Cinnamon: Whisk together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl until well blended for the topping.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Pour the melted butter into a 9-inch square baking dish or a similarly sized oven-safe dish, coating the entire bottom.
- Arrange the Biscuits: Nestle the biscuit rounds close together in the baking dish to allow them to rise upward and create a pull-apart effect.
- Sprinkle with Cinnamon Sugar: Generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the tops of the biscuits for a sweet, crunchy crust.
- Bake: Bake the biscuits in a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool Slightly: Let the biscuits cool in the baking dish for a few minutes to set before serving.
- Serve: Serve warm, straight from the baking dish for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use very cold butter and buttermilk to create flaky layers in the biscuits.
- Do not twist the biscuit cutter when cutting to ensure proper rising and even edges.
- Allow the biscuits to cool slightly before serving to let the cinnamon sugar topping set.
- You can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days and reheat gently before serving.
- Using a square baking dish helps create that classic ‘swim’ effect where the biscuits bake together and soak in the butter and sugar.
