Preheat your oven to 450°F. While it heats, pour the melted butter into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Make sure everything is well combined.

Add the diced ham and shredded cheddar cheese to the flour mixture. Use a fork or spatula to gently distribute them throughout.

Slowly add the buttermilk into the bowl and mix until just combined. The dough will be thick, shaggy, and sticky—this is exactly what you want.

Transfer the dough into the buttered baking dish. Use a spatula to press the dough evenly into the pan. You’ll see the butter creep up the edges and puddle around the sides—that’s the magic.

Use a knife to score the dough into squares (about 12), cutting down halfway. This will make it easier to separate the biscuits once baked.

Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The edges should be crisp and sizzling.

Let the biscuits rest in the pan for 5–10 minutes. This helps them firm up a bit and makes slicing easier.