Ingredients
Scale
The key to this dish lies in selecting the right ingredients—fresh, quality butter and sharp cheddar cheese make all the difference. I always reach for real butter instead of margarine because it adds richness and helps create that tender, flaky texture I love. For the ham, leftover baked ham or deli slices work beautifully, giving that smoky flavor without overwhelming the biscuit. Choosing freshly grated cheese also enhances meltiness and ensures every bite is packed with flavor. Feel free to swap the cheddar for gouda or fontina if you want to mix things up.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 3/4 cup diced ham (leftover or deli-style)
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg, beaten (for brushing)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Add the cold butter cubes to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, quickly cut the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces.
- Stir in the grated cheddar cheese and diced ham, distributing them evenly throughout the flour and butter mixture.
- Pour in the milk and gently stir until just combined — be careful not to overmix, as this can toughen the biscuits.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Pat it into a rectangle about 1-inch thick. Fold it over a couple of times to create layers, then gently pat again to 1-inch thickness.
- Using a biscuit cutter or a round glass, cut out biscuits and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a small gap between each.
- Brush the tops of each biscuit with the beaten egg for a beautiful golden finish.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the biscuits have risen nicely.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving — the cheese will be hot and melty, so watch those little fingers!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits, recipe, cooking, food
