Dollywood Cinnamon Bread is a famous theme park treat known for its soft, buttery texture and sweet cinnamon-sugar coating. This homemade version captures the magic of the original, giving you a warm, pull-apart loaf with a caramelized, sugary crust. Whether you’re enjoying it fresh out of the oven or drizzling it with icing, this cinnamon bread is a must-try for any baking lover!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Iconic and nostalgic – A homemade version of Dollywood’s famous treat.
- Soft and fluffy – A perfectly tender and pull-apart texture.
- Sweet and buttery – Coated in cinnamon sugar with a rich, buttery flavor.
- Simple ingredients – No fancy ingredients required, just pantry staples.
- Great for any occasion – Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- All-purpose flour
- Active dry yeast
- Warm milk
- Granulated sugar
- Unsalted butter
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar (for icing, optional)
Directions
- Prepare the Dough – In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk with a teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit until foamy, about 5-10 minutes.
- Mix the Dough – Combine flour, remaining sugar, salt, melted butter, and yeast mixture. Knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise in a warm place for about an hour or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Bread – Punch down the dough and divide it into two loaves. Roll each piece into a rectangle and cut deep slits across the top without slicing through.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar – Brush each loaf generously with melted butter, then roll in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar, ensuring every surface is coated.
- Bake – Place in a greased loaf pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Optional Icing – Whisk powdered sugar, vanilla, and a little milk to make a drizzle. Pour over warm bread before serving.
- Serve & Enjoy – Let cool slightly before pulling apart and indulging!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 8-10 slices per loaf
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Rise Time: 1 hour
- Bake Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Variations
- Add nuts – Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Make it stuffed – Spread a thin layer of cream cheese before rolling the dough.
- Use store-bought dough – Save time by using pre-made bread dough.
- Spiced twist – Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for extra warmth.
- Glazed alternative – Drizzle with honey butter instead of icing.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10 minutes or microwave for 20 seconds.
FAQs
Can I make this without yeast?
Yes! You can use self-rising flour and baking powder, though the texture will be more like a quick bread.
What type of yeast is best?
Active dry yeast works well, but instant yeast can be used to speed up the process.
Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, but the texture will be denser. Try using half whole wheat and half all-purpose flour.
Do I need a stand mixer?
No, you can knead the dough by hand, though a mixer makes it easier.
Can I make mini loaves?
Absolutely! Divide the dough into smaller portions and adjust the baking time.
What if my dough isn’t rising?
Ensure your yeast is fresh and the milk is warm (not hot) to activate it.
How can I make it extra gooey?
Brush with more butter after baking and sprinkle extra cinnamon sugar on top.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare and coat the dough, then refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature before baking.
Is this like monkey bread?
Similar, but Dollywood Cinnamon Bread is baked in a loaf and meant to be pulled apart in slices.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes! You can easily double or triple the batch to make more loaves.
Conclusion
Dollywood Cinnamon Bread is a delicious, pull-apart loaf filled with warm cinnamon-sugar goodness. Whether you’re making it for breakfast, dessert, or a special treat, this homemade version brings all the cozy flavors of the famous theme park favorite right to your kitchen. Enjoy it warm, with icing or without, and share it with family and friends!
Print
Dollywood Cinnamon Bread
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: ~2½ hours
- Yield: 2 loaves 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This legendary pull-apart cinnamon bread is a Dollywood favorite! Coated in a buttery cinnamon-sugar mixture and drizzled with a sweet glaze, it’s soft, gooey, and absolutely irresistible. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet treat anytime.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
1/2 cup warm water (100-110°F)
3/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar (plus a pinch for yeast)
1 1/2 cups bread flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Cooking spray (for greasing)
For the Cinnamon Coating:
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
For the Glaze:
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3–5 tablespoons milk
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Make the Dough
- In a small bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Stir and let sit for 5–8 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, whisk together bread flour, remaining 1 tablespoon sugar, and salt.
- Add the melted butter and the yeast mixture, then mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1½ hours or until doubled in size.
2. Shape the Bread
- Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal portions.
- Shape each portion into a 3×6-inch loaf.
- Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for another 30 minutes to 1 hour until puffy.
3. Prepare the Cinnamon Coating
- In a small bowl, mix white sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, mix melted butter and corn syrup.
4. Coat and Bake the Bread
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two 9×5-inch loaf pans with parchment paper.
- Use a sharp knife to cut four deep slashes across the top of each loaf.
- Brush each loaf with the butter-corn syrup mixture, ensuring all sides are coated.
- Roll each loaf in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, making sure to get the mixture into the slashes.
- Place loaves in the prepared pans and drizzle any remaining butter and sugar mixture over the top.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
5. Make the Glaze
- While the bread cools, whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, and 3 tablespoons of milk. Add more milk as needed until smooth.
6. Serve and Enjoy!
- Drizzle the glaze over warm bread or serve it on the side for dipping. Pull apart and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure your yeast is fresh for the best rise.
- Use dark brown sugar for a deeper caramel flavor.
- This bread is amazing with apple butter or extra melted butter.
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