Dolly Parton’s Country Ham and Biscuits

These Country Ham and Biscuits are pure Southern comfort: warm, tender biscuits layered with salty country ham, buttery richness, and a touch of brown sugar for a delicious sweet-and-savory finish.

They’re wonderful for breakfast, brunch, holiday gatherings, or as a hearty snack. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and the kind of homemade goodness that feels right at home on a Southern table.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
• Total Time: About 35 minutes
• Yield: 8–10 biscuits
• Difficulty: Easy
• Oven Temperature: According to biscuit mix package directions

Ingredients

Biscuits

• 1 package biscuit mix
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted, divided

Country Ham Filling

• 8 oz (225 g) country ham, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup (50 g) packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp of the remaining melted butter

Optional Finishing Touches

• 1–2 tbsp honey
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• Extra melted butter, for brushing

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven according to the biscuit mix package directions.

Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the Biscuit Dough

Prepare the biscuit mix according to the package directions, using the 1 cup milk listed in the recipe.

Add approximately ¼ cup of the melted butter to the dough and gently mix until combined.

Don’t overmix the dough. Stop as soon as the ingredients come together.

3. Shape the Biscuits

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface.

Pat or gently roll it to about ½–¾ inch thick.

Cut into approximately 8–10 biscuits using a biscuit cutter or the rim of a small glass.

Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet.

4. Add the Country Ham

Cut the country ham into pieces that fit comfortably inside the biscuits.

If the ham is particularly thick or salty, you can briefly rinse it and pat it completely dry before cooking.

Place a portion of country ham on each biscuit.

For sandwich-style biscuits, you can also bake the biscuits first and split them afterward.

5. Make the Brown Sugar Butter

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar with 2 tablespoons melted butter.

Stir until it forms a thick, spreadable mixture.

For an extra Southern-style sweet-savory flavor, add 1 tablespoon honey if desired.

6. Add the Sweet Butter

Brush or spoon a small amount of the brown sugar butter over the tops of the biscuits.

Don’t use too much at this stage—the sugar can caramelize quickly.

7. Bake

Bake according to the biscuit mix package directions, generally 12–18 minutes, or until the biscuits are puffed and golden brown.

The country ham should be heated through and the biscuit tops lightly browned.

If the tops are browning too quickly, loosely cover them with foil for the final few minutes.

8. Finish With Butter

Remove the biscuits from the oven.

Immediately brush the tops with the remaining melted butter.

For an extra glossy, sweet finish, lightly drizzle with honey.

Allow the biscuits to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Chef’s Tips

Don’t Overwork the Dough

Overmixing biscuit dough can make the biscuits tough. Mix just until the dough comes together.

Choose Thinly Sliced Ham

Country ham has a wonderfully concentrated salty flavor, so thin slices work best and balance nicely with the buttery biscuit.

Adjust the Sweetness

The brown sugar is meant to provide a subtle sweet contrast to the salty ham. If you prefer a more traditional savory biscuit, reduce it to 2 tablespoons.

Watch the Brown Sugar

Sugar can brown quickly in the oven. Keep an eye on the biscuits during the final few minutes.

Serve Warm

These biscuits are at their absolute best while they’re still warm and buttery.

Variations

Honey Ham Biscuits

Skip the brown sugar mixture and brush the finished biscuits with melted butter and honey.

Cheesy Country Ham Biscuits

Add a small slice of sharp cheddar cheese to each biscuit before serving.

Peppery Ham Biscuits

Add freshly cracked black pepper to the brown sugar butter for a sweet, salty, and peppery flavor.

Breakfast Biscuits

Split the finished biscuits and add scrambled eggs and cheese.

For especially soft scrambled eggs, cook them gently over low heat until silky rather than firm.

Ham & Apple Biscuits

Add a very thin slice of crisp apple along with the country ham for a sweet-tart Southern-inspired combination.

Make-Ahead Instructions

The biscuit dough can be prepared several hours ahead and kept covered in the refrigerator.

For the freshest result, bake the biscuits shortly before serving.

The brown sugar butter can also be prepared up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated. Bring it to room temperature before using.

Storage

Store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

If already filled with country ham, refrigerate them in an airtight container and consume within 3–4 days.

Reheating

Warm biscuits in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 8–10 minutes, or microwave individual biscuits for about 15–25 seconds.

Brush with a little melted butter after reheating to restore their softness.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these country ham biscuits with:

• Scrambled eggs
• Fried eggs
• Sausage gravy
• Country gravy
• Grits
• Hash browns
• Fresh fruit
• Honey or jam
• Coffee or sweet tea

The Final Result

These Dolly Parton’s Country Ham and Biscuits are soft, buttery, salty, and lightly sweet, with tender biscuits surrounding flavorful country ham. The brown sugar butter adds just enough caramelized sweetness to make every bite wonderfully addictive.

They’re simple Southern comfort food at its best—warm, homemade, and perfect for passing around the table.