If you’re craving a magic blend of cozy flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture, you simply have to try Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits. Imagine golden, pillowy biscuits baked right in a buttery bath, their tops sparkling with cinnamon sugar and filling your kitchen with the most irresistible aroma. Whether you serve them for a hearty breakfast, unexpected brunch, or as a dreamy dessert, these biscuits are guaranteed to win over everyone at the table. Best of all, the recipe is a breeze and features simple, comforting ingredients you probably already have on hand!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about the short and sweet ingredient list that makes Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits so special. Each part brings something important—fluffiness, warmth, richness, or that crown of sweet crunch on top. You’ll appreciate how these humble ingredients work together for biscuit perfection.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of your biscuit, providing structure and a tender crumb.
- Baking powder: Gives the biscuits their lift and softness—don’t skip it for that essential rise.
- Granulated sugar: A touch in the dough and a sparkle on top for irresistible sweetness and caramelized crunch.
- Salt: Brings out all the flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.
- Buttermilk: Adds lovely tang and ensures the biscuits bake up moist and fluffy; if you’re out, a milk-lemon juice mix works in a pinch!
- Unsalted butter (melted): This is a “swim” biscuit, after all! The butter creates those signature crispy, golden edges.
- Ground cinnamon: The heart of that iconic cinnamon sugar topping, delivering warmth and depth in every bite.
- Unsalted butter (melted, for topping): Lets the cinnamon sugar stick beautifully and adds a glossy, irresistible finish.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits
Step 1: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
Grab a big mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, baking powder, one tablespoon of sugar, and salt. This even blend guarantees every biscuit comes out fluffy and flavorful, setting the stage for all that buttery goodness to come.
Step 2: Add the Buttermilk
Pour in the buttermilk and stir gently, just until combined. The key here is to avoid overmixing—stirring too much toughens biscuits, while a light hand keeps them soft and tender inside. Don’t worry if the dough looks a tad shaggy; it’s perfect that way!
Step 3: Butter the Baking Dish
Pour your melted 1/2 cup of butter straight into an 8×8-inch baking dish. This luscious layer is the magic behind Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits—giving the bottoms their signature “fried-in-the-oven” golden crunch that makes every bite sing.
Step 4: Add the Biscuit Dough
Transfer your dough from the bowl directly into the buttery baking dish, gently spreading it out to reach every corner but without pressing too firmly. The dough will “swim” in the butter as it bakes, absorbing that rich flavor and puffing up beautifully.
Step 5: Score the Biscuits
Take a sharp knife and score the dough into nine even squares. This helps the biscuits bake up with those classic, bakery-style lines, making them easy to slice and serving up those irresistible crispy edges.
Step 6: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Topping
In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup granulated sugar with the cinnamon until well blended. This simple blend creates that iconic sweet crust, filling your home with the most comforting scent while the biscuits bake.
Step 7: Top with Butter and Cinnamon Sugar
Brush the top of the dough with the remaining 3 tablespoons of melted butter, then sprinkle your cinnamon sugar mixture evenly across the entire surface. The butter helps the sugar “melt” and caramelize, giving these biscuits their signature crackly sweet top.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Slide the pan into your preheated 450°F oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the biscuits are baked through. The magic of Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits is watching them puff and crisp, their buttery base bubbling merrily beneath a crown of cinnamon sugar.
Step 9: Cool and Serve
Let the biscuits cool for a few minutes, then slice along the score lines. Serve them up warm and watch them disappear as everyone reaches for seconds!
How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits
Garnishes
There are so many ways to dress up your tray of Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits. Try a light dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of simple vanilla glaze, a swirl of honey, or even a dollop of whipped cream for extra decadence. Each topping brings out a new dimension of flavor!
Side Dishes
These biscuits are pure comfort on their own, but they also shine next to fresh fruit, creamy yogurt, or your favorite breakfast eggs. For a brunch spread, offer them alongside crispy bacon, sausage, or hashbrowns—the sweetness and spice play beautifully against savory classics.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings or special occasions, try serving Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits cut into mini squares for bite-sized treats, using festive napkins for a playful touch. Stack them high on a cake stand for a centerpiece, or offer warm biscuits in a lined basket so guests can help themselves family-style. Don’t forget to provide plenty of napkins—they’re delightfully buttery!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you actually end up with leftover Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits (a rare sight!), let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They’ll keep at room temperature for up to two days or in the fridge for four, staying soft, tender, and every bit as dreamy.
Freezing
To freeze, let the biscuits cool completely and wrap each one in plastic wrap or foil, then place in a zipped freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to two months—just reheat straight from the freezer when a craving strikes, and your kitchen will smell amazing in minutes.
Reheating
Pop biscuits in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through—this helps restore their golden edges and pillowy centers. For a quick fix, cover a biscuit with a damp paper towel and microwave in 15-second bursts until just warmed. Always serve warm for the ultimate buttery experience!
FAQs
Can I substitute the buttermilk?
Absolutely! If you’re out of buttermilk, just add one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a measuring cup, fill to the 1 1/2 cup line with milk, stir, and let it sit for a few minutes. It mimics real buttermilk’s tang and tenderness perfectly in Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits.
Can I use self-rising flour instead of all-purpose?
Yes! Self-rising flour already contains baking powder and salt, so just leave those out of the recipe and proceed as usual—the biscuits will rise and fluff beautifully with almost no effort at all.
What’s the best pan size?
An 8×8-inch baking dish is the gold standard for this recipe, but a 9-inch round pan works in a pinch. If using a different size, keep an eye on your bake time and look for that deep golden color to know when they’re ready.
Can I add nuts or other flavors?
Definitely! Pecans or walnuts sprinkled on top add a lovely crunch, and a pinch of nutmeg swirled into the cinnamon sugar is delicious. Dried fruit or chocolate chips can also be gently folded into the dough for a twist on the classic!
Are Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits gluten-free friendly?
You can try using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour, but results may vary in terms of texture. Look for a blend designed for baking, and keep an eye on the consistency of your dough as you work.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something special about sharing fresh-baked Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits with friends or family—every bite is warm, buttery, and full of sweet-spiced comfort. Once you taste them, I’m sure you’ll find reasons to bake them for every occasion. Go ahead, treat yourself to a pan (or two) and see why these biscuits are destined to become your new favorite!
Print
Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 9 biscuits
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the irresistible goodness of these Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits that are perfect for breakfast or dessert. These tender, buttery biscuits are infused with a sweet cinnamon sugar topping that will have you reaching for seconds!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
For Topping:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, 1 tablespoon sugar, and salt.
- Add wet ingredients: Pour in buttermilk and mix until just combined.
- Prepare baking dish: Pour 1/2 cup melted butter into an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Spread the dough: Spread the biscuit dough over the melted butter and score into 9 squares.
- Make topping: Combine 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon. Brush dough with 3 tablespoons melted butter, then sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve: Let cool slightly, slice, and enjoy!
Notes
- Best served warm
- Drizzle with powdered sugar glaze for extra sweetness
- Add nutmeg to cinnamon sugar for a warm flavor boost
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 biscuit
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
