Cheddar Bay Butter Swim Biscuits
A golden, buttery biscuit baked directly in melted butter with sharp cheddar, garlic, and herbs. Crisp at the edges, tender in the center, and deeply savory, this version captures the flavor people love from Red Lobster but uses simple, traceable ingredients you control.These are not drop biscuits. They are poured into hot butter and baked as one slab, then cut into squares. The result is a biscuit with a lightly fried bottom, structured crumb, and rich garlic finish.
Ingredients
- 2½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1½ cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups cold buttermilk
- 1/2 cup salted butter, 1 stick
Garlic Butter Finish
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Pinch kosher salt
Instructions
1. Preheat and Melt the Butter
Preheat the oven to 450°F.Place the stick of butter in an 8 x 8 inch baking dish and set the dish in the oven while it heats. Allow the butter to melt completely and become hot, but not browned.The butter should be fully melted and lightly bubbling when the dough is added.2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and dried parsley.Add the shredded cheddar and toss to coat evenly in the flour mixture.3. Add the Buttermilk
Pour in the cold buttermilk. Stir gently just until the flour is hydrated and no dry pockets remain. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.Do not overmix. Overworking the dough will toughen the crumb.4. Spread into Hot Butter
Carefully remove the hot baking dish from the oven.Spread the dough evenly over the melted butter. The butter will rise around the edges. That is what creates the crisp exterior.Using a knife, score the dough into 9 squares before baking. This makes clean portions later.5. Bake
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the edges are deeply crisp.The bottom should be rich and buttery with light browning.6. Finish with Garlic Butter
While the biscuits bake, stir together the melted butter, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt.Brush over the biscuits immediately after they come out of the oven. Finish with chopped parsley.Allow to rest for 5 minutes before cutting along the scored lines.
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