Picture this: golden, buttery biscuits that literally bake while swimming in melted butter, bursting with juicy blueberries, and finished with a tangy-sweet lemon glaze. Each bite is soft and fluffy inside with just the right amount of crisp edges outside. These Blueberry Butter Swim Biscuits with Lemon Glaze are the kind of treat that makes mornings brighter and afternoons cozier. Trust me, you’re going to love this.
Behind the Recipe
The inspiration for these biscuits came from the classic butter swim biscuit—an old Southern favorite known for its rich flavor and foolproof texture. I wanted to give it a fruity twist, so in went the blueberries. To balance the richness, I added a fresh lemon glaze that drizzles over the top, soaking into the biscuit crevices. The result? A dessert-breakfast hybrid that feels indulgent yet refreshing.
Recipe Origin or Trivia
Butter swim biscuits originated as a Southern tradition, where butter was always abundant and biscuits were a staple at the table. Baking dough directly in a pool of butter creates a crusty bottom and pillowy top, eliminating the need for kneading or rolling. Blueberries, native to North America, pair naturally with this style of biscuit. The lemon glaze is a nod to classic tea cakes, adding brightness to every bite.
Why You’ll Love Blueberry Butter Swim Biscuits with Lemon Glaze
This recipe is a total game-changer for biscuit lovers. Here’s why:
Versatile: Enjoy them for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or as a sweet snack.
Budget-Friendly: Blueberries, flour, and butter make for simple yet luxurious flavors.
Quick and Easy: No rolling, no fuss—just mix, pour, and bake.
Customizable: Swap blueberries for raspberries, blackberries, or even chocolate chips.
Crowd-Pleasing: Perfect for sharing at gatherings or family brunches.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Bake the night before and drizzle glaze just before serving.
Great for Leftovers: Warm them up for a cozy next-day treat.
PrintBlueberry Butter Swim Biscuits with Lemon Glaze
Blueberry Butter Swim Biscuits with Lemon Glaze are golden, buttery, and bursting with blueberries, finished with a tangy-sweet lemon glaze. Soft inside, crisp on the edges, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups
- Baking Powder: 1 tablespoon
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Granulated Sugar: 2 tablespoons
- Milk: 1 ½ cups
- Unsalted Butter: ½ cup (1 stick), melted
- Blueberries: 1 cup, fresh or frozen
- Powdered Sugar: 1 cup
- Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed
- Lemon Zest: 1 teaspoon
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place butter in an 8×8 dish and melt in oven while preheating.
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Stir in milk until just combined. Fold in blueberries gently.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Remove dish with melted butter from oven.
- Assemble the Dish: Pour dough into the buttered dish, letting butter surround dough without stirring.
- Cook to Perfection: Bake 35–40 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Finishing Touches: Whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest into a glaze. Drizzle over warm biscuits.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice into squares and serve warm.
Notes
- Toss blueberries in flour before folding to prevent sinking.
- Glaze while biscuits are warm so it soaks in.
- Don’t overmix—batter should be slightly lumpy.
- For crispier edges, bake in a cast iron skillet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Chef’s Pro Tips for Perfect Results
Keep these tips in mind for bakery-style biscuits every time:
- Use fresh blueberries if possible for the juiciest bursts of flavor.
- Don’t overmix the batter—gentle folding keeps the biscuits tender.
- Pour melted butter into the pan first, then add dough to achieve that crisp golden edge.
- Check doneness with a toothpick—if it comes out clean, they’re ready.
- Glaze while warm so the lemon icing seeps into the biscuits.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
Simple tools bring this recipe to life:
Mixing Bowl: For stirring together the biscuit batter.
Baking Dish (9×9 or 8×8): Where the butter swim magic happens.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accuracy is key for balance.
Spatula: To fold blueberries in without crushing them.
Whisk: For a smooth, lump-free glaze.
Ingredients in Blueberry Butter Swim Biscuits with Lemon Glaze
Every ingredient works together to create that irresistible flavor and texture:
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups. Provides structure to the biscuits.
- Baking Powder: 1 tablespoon. Ensures they rise beautifully.
- Salt: 1 teaspoon. Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: 2 tablespoons. Adds a touch of sweetness to the dough.
- Milk: 1 ½ cups. Creates a moist, tender crumb.
- Unsalted Butter: ½ cup (1 stick), melted. The base of the swim and richness.
- Blueberries: 1 cup, fresh or frozen. Juicy bursts throughout the biscuits.
- Powdered Sugar: 1 cup. For the glaze.
- Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed. Brings brightness and tang to the glaze.
- Lemon Zest: 1 teaspoon. Adds fragrant citrus notes.
Ingredient Substitutions
Need to adapt? Here’s how:
Blueberries: Substitute with raspberries, blackberries, or diced strawberries.
Milk: Use almond, oat, or coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
Unsalted Butter: Use salted butter and reduce the added salt slightly.
Lemon Juice: Try lime juice for a fun variation.
Ingredient Spotlight
Blueberries: These little gems add natural sweetness and bursts of juiciness, balancing the richness of butter.
Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon adds the perfect tart contrast, making the glaze bright and irresistible.

Instructions for Making Blueberry Butter Swim Biscuits with Lemon Glaze
Here’s how to bring these biscuits to life:
-
Preheat Your Equipment:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place butter in an 8×8 baking dish and let it melt in the oven as it heats. -
Combine Ingredients:
In a mixing bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Stir in milk until just combined. Gently fold in blueberries. -
Prepare Your Cooking Vessel:
Carefully remove the dish with melted butter from the oven. -
Assemble the Dish:
Pour the dough over the melted butter. Do not stir—let the butter surround the dough. -
Cook to Perfection:
Bake for 35–40 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. -
Finishing Touches:
Whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest to form glaze. Drizzle over warm biscuits. -
Serve and Enjoy:
Slice into squares and serve warm, letting that glaze drip into every bite.
Texture & Flavor Secrets
These biscuits are soft and fluffy in the center, surrounded by crispy, buttery edges. The blueberries burst with sweetness, while the lemon glaze adds a refreshing zing that cuts through the richness. It’s the balance of buttery decadence and citrusy brightness that makes them unforgettable.
Cooking Tips & Tricks
For even better results, try these:
- Toss blueberries in a little flour before folding to prevent sinking.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon to the dough for warmth.
- For thicker glaze, add more powdered sugar.
What to Avoid
Keep these common pitfalls in mind:
- Don’t overmix—the dough should be slightly lumpy.
- Don’t skip preheating—the butter must be hot when dough hits the pan.
- Avoid letting the glaze sit too long—it will harden before drizzling.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 9
Calories per serving: 250
Note: Approximate values.
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Bake ahead, then cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes. These biscuits also freeze well—wrap tightly and store for up to a month. Add glaze fresh when serving.
How to Serve Blueberry Butter Swim Biscuits with Lemon Glaze
Serve them warm, drizzled generously with glaze. They pair beautifully with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or even a tall glass of cold milk. For brunch, serve alongside eggs and bacon for a sweet-savory balance.
Creative Leftover Transformations
If you have extras (though it’s unlikely), here are some ideas:
- Biscuit Trifle: Layer with whipped cream and extra fruit.
- Biscuit Pudding: Cube and bake with custard for a bread pudding twist.
- Ice Cream Topping: Warm and crumble over vanilla ice cream.
Additional Tips
- Use fresh lemon juice, not bottled, for the brightest flavor.
- Double the glaze if you like extra sweetness.
- Bake in a cast iron skillet for even crispier edges.
Make It a Showstopper
To wow guests, garnish with a few extra blueberries and a sprinkle of lemon zest on top. Serve on a white platter to let the golden biscuits and glossy glaze shine.
Variations to Try
- Raspberry Almond Biscuits: Swap blueberries for raspberries and add almond extract.
- Blackberry Lime Biscuits: Replace lemon with lime juice and zest.
- Cinnamon Sugar Biscuits: Skip fruit and glaze, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before baking.
- Chocolate Chip Biscuits: Replace blueberries with mini chocolate chips.
- Mixed Berry Biscuits: Combine blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries.
FAQ’s
Q1: Can I use frozen blueberries?
A1: Yes, just fold them in gently without thawing to avoid excess moisture.
Q2: Can I make this dairy-free?
A2: Yes, use dairy-free butter and milk substitutes.
Q3: Can I make the glaze ahead?
A3: Yes, but store covered at room temperature and whisk before using.
Q4: What size pan should I use?
A4: An 8×8 or 9×9 dish works best.
Q5: Can I use self-rising flour?
A5: Yes, but omit the baking powder and salt.
Q6: How do I store leftovers?
A6: Refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 1 month.
Q7: Do I need to grease the pan?
A7: No—the melted butter does all the work.
Q8: Can I double the recipe?
A8: Yes, use a 9×13 pan and increase bake time slightly.
Q9: Can I serve them without glaze?
A9: Absolutely—they’re delicious plain or with butter.
Q10: How do I know they’re done?
A10: The top will be golden and a toothpick should come out clean.
Conclusion
Blueberry Butter Swim Biscuits with Lemon Glaze are pure comfort with a fresh, fruity twist. Golden, buttery edges, fluffy interiors, juicy blueberries, and that zesty glaze make every bite irresistible. Whether you’re serving them at brunch or as a sweet afternoon pick-me-up, they’re guaranteed to impress. Let me tell you, it’s worth every bite.