Dollywood Has the Best Cinnamon Bread in America — and We Have the Official Recipe (2024)

When it comes to theme park food, a few select treats reign supreme: Disney's Dole Whip, Universal Studios' Harry Potter-inspired Butterbeer, and Dollywood's cinnamon bread. Dollywood is well-known for its Southern eats, with popular dishes like fried chicken and catfish at Aunt Granny's, barbecue pork sandwiches at Hickory House BBQ, and the 25-pound apple pie at Spotlight Bakery. Most popular, however, is the Grist Mill, home of Dollywood's iconic pull-apart cinnamon bread, served hot with apple butter or icing.

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In the park, the bread is made right in front of (a usually long line of) guests. The bakers cut slits into each uncooked loaf, then dip it in butter and a cinnamon-sugar mixture before sending it into the oven. The result is a perfectly gooey, delicious snack that tastes like it was made with love (and, of course, lots of sugar and butter). And it's served by the loaf, so it's easily shareable between four people (if you're willing to give up some of the homemade goodness, that is).

You can also purchase Dollywood's cinnamon bread at other locations on property, but you can't beat a fresh, warm piece between rides, even in the Tennessee summer heat. It's also the perfect souvenir, and many guests grab an extra loaf to bring home and enjoy the next morning for breakfast (or during the ride home from the theme park, we won't judge).

Dollywood Has the Best Cinnamon Bread in America — and We Have the Official Recipe (2)

We got Dollywood's cinnamon bread recipe straight from the source, so you can make this delicious theme park treat at home whenever you want.

Dollywood Cinnamon Bread Recipe

Dollywood Cinnamon Bread Ingredients

For the Dough:

  • 1/2 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit)
  • 3/4 tsp. active dry yeast
  • 1 tbsp. plus a pinch of granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups bread flour
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 2 tbsps. unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • Cooking spray

For the Topping:

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
  • 6 tbsps. unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tbsps. light corn syrup

For the Glaze:

  • 1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 tbsps. unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 to 5 tbsps. milk

How to Make Dollywood’s Cinnamon Bread

Make the dough: Combine the warm water, yeast, and a pinch of granulated sugar in a small bowl and let sit until foamy, five to eight minutes. Meanwhile, whisk the bread flour, remaining one tablespoon of granulated sugar, and salt in a stand mixer.

Add the yeast mixture and melted butter to the flour mixture. Knead with the dough hook on medium speed until it is smooth and elastic, about eight minutes. Transfer to a bowl coated with cooking spray. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about one and a half hours.

Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Punch down the dough and transfer to a work surface; knead a few times. Cut in half and gently shape into two three-by-six-inch loaves (do not overwork the dough). Place the loaves three inches apart on the prepared pan. Lightly spray the loaves with cooking spray and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until puffy, 30 minutes to one hour.

Make the topping: Whisk the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small baking dish. Whisk the melted butter and corn syrup in another small baking dish.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two nine-by-five-inch loaf pans with parchment paper, leaving a two-inch overhang on all sides. Cut four deep slashes across the top of each loaf (the loaves will look deflated). Dip each loaf in the butter-corn syrup mixture, turning to cover, then coat with the cinnamon sugar, making sure to get the sugar in the crevices. Place the loaves in the prepared pans. Drizzle with any remaining butter mixture and sprinkle with any remaining cinnamon sugar. Bake until light brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Lift the bread out of the loaf pans using the parchment overhang and transfer to a rack. Let cool in the paper, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the glaze: Whisk the confectioners' sugar, salt, melted butter, and three tablespoons of milk in a bowl until smooth. Whisk in up to two more tablespoons of milk as needed to loosen. Drizzle on the warm loaves or serve on the side for dipping.

Dollywood Has the Best Cinnamon Bread in America — and We Have the Official Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the famous bread at Dollywood? ›

The Grist Mill is home to our world-famous cinnamon bread, which is freshly made daily before your very eyes. Try this famous snack with buttercream icing or Dollywood's own apple butter. In addition, you'll find an assortment of cookies and drinks.

How much does a loaf of cinnamon bread cost at Dollywood? ›

And, as for places to eat, the Dollywood Grist Mill is an iconic option in the park, known for their "world-famous" cinnamon bread. Paired with buttercream icing or Dollywood's homemade apple butter, the fresh-baked cinnamon bread is loved by park-goers all year round and costs $10 for an order.

Is Dollywood cinnamon bread vegan? ›

Did you know that Dollywood's cinnamon bread is a vegetarian and dairy-free option? Although not 100% vegan, the butter cream is made with a butter alternative rather than real butter to support allergen awareness, which helps to land this fan-favorite a sweet spot on our vegetarian-friendly list!

Who invented cinnamon bread? ›

The Swedes claim it originated there in the 1920s, though ask any Nordic country in Europe and they'll tell you the sweet roll was actually their invention. Regardless of its exact birthplace, the bun is a staple of Scandinavian baking and commonly enjoyed during FIKA, a get-together with friends.

What is Dolly Parton's favorite dinner? ›

When the New York Times interviewed Dolly Parton, she claimed that roast pork was her favorite dish for entertaining. She loves a good, Southern greasy dish and with a nice fatty pork loin you'll understand why.

Does Dolly Parton own Dollywood? ›

Since 1986, Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Enterprises have remained partners in Dollywood, Tennessee's most-visited tourist attraction. Dollywood also ranks in the Top 50 most attended theme parks worldwide. The park has more than doubled in size now encompassing 150 acres.

How much does Dolly Parton get from Dollywood? ›

Does Dolly Parton make money from Dollywood? Dolly Parton does indeed make money from Dollywood, her namesake theme park in East Tennessee. She reportedly owns a 50% stake in the park, which Forbes estimates is worth $165 million for the singer.

Does Dollywood offer a senior discount? ›

Regular Dollywood Prices

As of November 2023, Dollywood prices are $92 for a standard one day adult pass, $119 for two days, and $129 packages for three days. Dollywood discount tickets apply to seniors 62+ and children ages 4-9. Admission is free to children 3 and under.

How much is Dolly Parton involved in Dollywood? ›

Parton's 50% stake in the theme park is worth about $165 million, Forbes reported in 2021. Dollywood remains the top tourist attraction in Tennessee with around 3 million visitors each year, according to CBS affiliate WVLT. A one-day adult ticket costs $89.

How many cinnamon breads does Dollywood sell? ›

This Dollywood treat is an icon. It's no secret. Dollywood sells more than 220,000 loaves a year! The buttery goodness of cinnamon bread is amazing as a standalone, but you even get a small cup of icing with your cinnamon bread purchase!

Is the Grist Mill inside Dollywood? ›

Located inside Craftsman's Valley is the iconic Grist Mill. Dollywood lovers all know that cinnamon bread is a must—no matter what season. As you wait in line, you can watch the bakers make the bread.

How do you reheat cinnamon bread in the oven? ›

The Oven Method:

This method is my personal preference if I have plenty of time. Preheat the oven to 275F and place a cup of water in a shallow baking dish on a lower shelf of the oven. Place the cinnamon roll on a baking pan and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the roll is warmed through.

What do Americans call cinnamon rolls? ›

A cinnamon roll (also known as cinnamon bun, cinnamon swirl, cinnamon Danish and cinnamon snail) is a sweet roll commonly served in Northern Europe (mainly in Nordic countries, but also in Austria and Germany) and North America.

What does cinnamon roll mean in slang? ›

(slang, neologism) A person perceived as good, gentle and kind. Often a fictional character who undergoes emotional suffering.

Is cinnamon bread good to eat? ›

Cinnamon: good (anti-inflammatory.) But the loaf itself will be very high in sugar, and if it's made with processed white flour, that's not healthy either.

What type of bread is Pullman loaf? ›

The Pullman loaf, sometimes called the "sandwich loaf" or "pan bread", is a rectangular loaf of white bread baked in a long, narrow, lidded pan. The French term for this style of loaf is pain de mie, or, less commonly, pain anglais.

Why is Wonder Bread special? ›

Wonder bread was one of the first sliced breads on the market. Consumers were wary of pre-sliced bread because they thought that it might dry out, but their fears were unfounded. From 1943 to 1945, just about all commercially baked bread was sold unsliced because of a steel shortage during World War II.

What is Wonder Bread called now? ›

In 2011, Weston Bakeries Limited announced that its Wonder Bread brands would henceforth be free of artificial preservatives, artificial colors, or artificial flavors. In 2022, the brand was sold by Weston Foods to FGF Brands and now operates as Wonder Brands Incorporated.

What is Iggy's bread? ›

We make old-fashioned, naturally leavened, hearth-baked breads that are delivered fresh everyday. We honor and respect the time it takes to make good bread. Fermentation is like capturing nature's process and baking just when the dough has fully developed, like the opening of a flower, the bread expands and so do we...

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