Easy Butter Swim Bread Recipe

This is the kind of bread that swims in butter and asks politely for forgiveness afterward. It’s simple, buttery, slightly ridiculous, and exactly what you want when you’re avoiding anything that requires a standby sous-chef or a slow, patient oven. If you like bread that’s cozy enough to make you want to cancel plans and soft enough to justify using more butter than a reasonable human should, welcome home.

My husband once tried to “help” by flipping the loaf like a pancake because he thought it looked lonely. He now has a permanent spot on the counter labeled “Do Not Touch” and I’ve accepted that some kitchen experiments are better left undocumented. My kids think the crust is the fun part and the middle is an existential challenge. I will admit I burned the first batch trying to multitask while refereeing a Lego dispute. Lesson learned: yes, this pan is too small. No, I won’t wash fewer dishes.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use room-temp butter so you don’t stand there shouting at cold sticks.
– Buy pre-sliced bread and build a “butter swim” bread casserole if you’re really out of patience. No judgment — only admiration for bold shortcuts.
– Let a silicone spatula do double duty: mixing and leaving no tiny batter-snow on the bowl. Fewer dishes, fleeting victory.
– Skip elaborate glazing and sprinkle flaky salt on top — instant gourmet energy.
– Use a toaster oven for small batches. It’s the same loaf, but it feels like you cheated the laws of time.

Serving Ideas

– Serve with soups: tomato, chicken noodle, or the kind of soup you make when you forgot to thaw dinner.
– Spread with jam for breakfast and call it artisanal. People will nod appreciatively.
– Serve with wine if the kids drove you nuts today. (Do not actually pour wine on bread. That was a joke. I think.)
– Slap on a fried egg and some hot sauce for breakfast-for-dinner glory.
– Keep it simple: butter, a nap, and silence. Far underrated.

What to Serve It With

– Roasted veggies for when you feel domestically responsible.
– A big pot of chili for dramatic dunking.
– A cheese board if you want to impress guests and then secretly tell them how easy it was.
– Or nothing. Eat it straight off the pan. I won’t tell.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Pro tip: Don’t overbake. The center should be soft, not the texture of a regrettable shoe.
– Warning: Too much butter = glorious sogginess. Use balance unless you’re committing to a butter bathtub.
– If your loaf collapsed, it’s probably because you leaned into impatience or opened the oven door like it owed you money.
– Use a thermometer when in doubt — 190–200°F for the center is a safe goal if you’re feeling nerdy.
– Don’t skip the rest time. Bread needs manners, too.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.
– Wrap tightly in plastic or keep in an airtight container to prevent fridge-scavenging smells from ruining your buttery masterpiece.
– Reheat slices in a hot pan or toaster for the best second-day life. Microwave is acceptable in emergencies or marriage negotiations.
– Freeze slices for later: defrost in the toaster and pretend you always planned it that way.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.
– Add herbs (rosemary, thyme) and lemon zest for a brighter vibe.
– Mix in shredded cheddar or garlic powder for the savory crowd.
– Go sweet with a cinnamon-sugar swirl if you’re feeling nostalgic or rebellious.

Easy Butter Swim Bread Recipe

This easy butter swim bread recipe yields a soft, delicious loaf perfect for any meal.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 4 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1 cup milk warm
• ▢ 0.25 cups sugar
• ▢ 0.5 cups butter melted
• ▢ 1 packet instant yeast
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a large bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes.
• Add melted butter, salt, and flour. Mix until a dough forms.
• Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until smooth.
• Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour.
• Transfer dough to a greased baking dish and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

This bread is best served warm with butter.