Dollywood Cinnamon Bread Recipe

If you’ve ever strolled through the Smoky Mountains and caught the scent of fresh-baked cinnamon bread drifting from the Dollywood ovens, you know there’s nothing quite like it. Dollywood Cinnamon Bread brings pure comfort and nostalgia in every soft, sweet, cinnamon-swirled bite. This recipe captures that same irresistible magic—pillowy bread, crunchy cinnamon sugar, and a creamy vanilla glaze—making it easy to bring a taste of the theme park right into your own kitchen. Whether you share it with loved ones or sneak warm slices all to yourself, this treat guarantees cinnamon-scented happiness from the very first pull-apart piece.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed by how a handful of simple pantry staples come together to create something so show-stopping. Each ingredient in Dollywood Cinnamon Bread plays a special role, contributing to the bread’s signature softness, sweetness, and classic spiced swirl.

• Frozen bread dough (1 loaf, thawed): This shortcut is the key to perfect texture, turning into fluffy, tender bread with hardly any effort.
• Granulated sugar (1 cup): Essential for the sweet crunch that pairs perfectly with cinnamon’s warmth.
• Ground cinnamon (1½ tablespoons): Use quality cinnamon for an aromatic, cozy flavor in every mouthful.
• Unsalted butter (½ cup, melted): Brushing butter into the bread’s slits helps caramelize the sugar and adds luscious richness.
• Powdered sugar (1 cup): This forms the silky-smooth base of the vanilla glaze that’s drizzled over the hot bread.
• Milk (2–3 tablespoons): Just enough to thin the glaze to that perfect pourable consistency.
• Vanilla extract (½ teaspoon): Adds fragrant sweetness and that classic bakery-style glaze flavor.

How to Make Dollywood Cinnamon Bread

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. A little swipe of butter or nonstick spray ensures your Dollywood Cinnamon Bread will lift out easily once it’s golden and gooey.

Step 2: Mix the Cinnamon Sugar

In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Mixing these two together evenly makes sure every bite is loaded with both sweetness and spice.

Step 3: Score the Dough

Place your thawed bread dough on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to make shallow slits across the top of the loaf, about an inch apart. Don’t cut all the way through—these slits create grooves for the butter and cinnamon sugar to sneak in, lining every piece with flavor.

Step 4: Add the Butter and Cinnamon Sugar

Generously brush the entire loaf with your melted butter, making sure to get into all those slits. Next, coat the surface with your cinnamon-sugar mixture. Press it into the dough and between the slits to ensure maximum flavor within every pull-apart section.

Step 5: Let the Bread Rise

Transfer the loaded-up dough into your prepared pan and let it rise somewhere warm for about 30 minutes. It should become slightly puffy—signaling it’s perfectly poised to bake up light and airy.

Step 6: Bake

Slide the loaf pan into the center of your oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Whatever you do, don’t wander too far—the smell of Dollywood Cinnamon Bread will fill your kitchen with mouthwatering anticipation. It’s finished when it’s deeply golden on top and the kitchen feels like the world’s coziest bakery.

Step 7: Make the Vanilla Glaze

While your bread cools just a bit, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until you have a thick but pourable glaze. This step adds that final sweet touch and glossy finish everyone knows and loves.

Step 8: Glaze and Serve

When the loaf is cool enough to handle but still warm, drizzle the vanilla glaze all over the top. Watch it melt into the crevices—use a spoon for thick drips or go wild with a quick pour for extra coverage. Now, pull apart and enjoy your homemade (and incredibly addictive) Dollywood Cinnamon Bread!

How to Serve Dollywood Cinnamon Bread

Garnishes

Sometimes all you need is that beautiful drizzle of glaze, but for a little extra flourish, sprinkle the warm bread with a touch more cinnamon sugar or a pinch of powdered sugar. A handful of chopped pecans or walnuts can add crunch, and fresh fruit on the side makes a bright, colorful plate.

Side Dishes

Dollywood Cinnamon Bread pairs delightfully well with fresh seasonal fruit, a dollop of whipped cream, or even some tangy Greek yogurt if you’re aiming for a breakfast spread. For a heartier brunch, serve alongside fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or your favorite mug of coffee or tea.

Creative Ways to Present

To really impress your guests, serve the bread in a rustic basket lined with colorful napkins, letting everyone pull apart their own slices. Try slicing and stacking the bread on a wooden board, drizzle extra glaze tableside, or cube leftovers for a decadent bread pudding or French toast casserole. However you serve it, Dollywood Cinnamon Bread brings instant smiles!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra slices (lucky you!), wrap Dollywood Cinnamon Bread tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container. It keeps beautifully at room temperature for up to 2 days. After that, refrigerate to extend freshness without sacrificing too much softness.

Freezing

For longer storage, slice the cooled bread and wrap pieces individually before sealing in a freezer-safe bag. This lets you thaw exactly what you need later. Dollywood Cinnamon Bread freezes well for up to 2 months—just keep the glaze separate and add it fresh after reheating if possible.

Reheating

To revive your cinnamon bread’s original softness, warm slices in the microwave for a quick 10–15 seconds or pop them in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes. If you saved the glaze separately, drizzle it on after reheating for the freshest flavor.

FAQs

Can I make Dollywood Cinnamon Bread with homemade dough?

Absolutely! While frozen bread dough is a fantastic shortcut, you can substitute your favorite sweet white bread or brioche dough recipe. Just be sure to give the dough the same rise and scoring treatment for that classic pull-apart texture.

What’s the best way to get the cinnamon-sugar coating into the slits?

Be generous and really press the mixture into the grooves after brushing with butter. Tilting the loaf or using your fingers to help pack the cinnamon sugar in works wonders for flavor in every bite.

Can I make the recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Swap melted plant-based butter for regular butter, and use a non-dairy milk such as almond or oat in the glaze. The bread will still taste deliciously spiced and sweet.

Is it possible to double the recipe for a crowd?

Definitely. You can double (or triple!) the recipe and bake in multiple loaf pans. The aroma from extra loaves is a guaranteed way to win friends and influence brunch-goers.

How do I keep the bread extra soft after baking?

Let the bread cool for only a few minutes before covering it loosely with foil if you’re not serving right away. This traps steam and keeps Dollywood Cinnamon Bread moist and pillowy until you’re ready to enjoy.

Final Thoughts

If ever there was a recipe to make your kitchen the happiest place on earth, it’s Dollywood Cinnamon Bread. This unforgettable pull-apart loaf promises soft slices, crackly cinnamon sugar, and a sweet memory of theme park fun—you don’t have to visit Dollywood to enjoy it. Give it a whirl and watch it become a new favorite for family breakfasts, Sunday brunches, or any day you crave a little Southern magic. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be baking Dollywood Cinnamon Bread again and again!

Print