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

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.

How do you reheat Dollywood cinnamon bread? ›

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).

Does Splash Country have cinnamon bread? ›

With a variety of sweet flavors like Cinnamon Bread, Black-Beary-Cobbler and more, and savory flavors like our BBQ Pullled Pork, and Chicken Bacon Ranch, you're sure to find something to satisfy the whole family!

Why is it a good idea to limit the cinnamon in your actual bread dough? ›

Cinnamon and sourdough are flavors that go so well together ... however, cinnamon will actually inhibit the fermentation of your sourdough bread if you add it into the actual dough.

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.

Can you get Dollywood cinnamon bread outside the park? ›

The bread is available for purchase at both of Dollywood's resorts, DreamMore and HeartSong, which are located right near the park. Both resorts have grab-and-go cafes (DM Pantry at DreamMore, and Songbird Market at HeartSong), where anyone can buy the Cinnamon Bread.

How long does cinnamon bread last? ›

Wrap the cooled cinnamon bread loaf in one layer of storage wrap, then one layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to three months.

How do you make cinnamon bread soft again? ›

How do you make cinnamon rolls soft again? Make cinnamon rolls soft again by adding a little bit of moisture back into them while reheating. You can do this by adding a pat of butter to the top of each roll and covering them with a damp paper towel while reheating in the microwave for about 20 seconds.

How do you reheat bread without it getting crispy? ›

🥖 all you have to do is soak the bread in water. 💦 I know 🧐… its weird but trust me! Then re heat the pastry or bread and the water will help it gain moisture back so it comes out of the oven soft and fluffy, instead of hard and crunchy!

Is the Grist Mill inside Dollywood? ›

Grist Mill. Although not technically an actual restaurant in Dollywood, you can't visit this theme park without making a stop at the Grist Mill. There you'll find the most iconic food item at Dollywood–-their world-famous cinnamon bread.

Does Panera bread have cinnamon bread? ›

Cinnamon Raisin Oat Breakfast Bread

Plump raisins, sweet cinnamon and rolled oats in every bite make for a delightful breakfast bread. No artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors or colors from artificial sources.

What's the difference between a sticky bun and a cinnamon roll? ›

Though sticky buns may contain cinnamon, they do not always contain the spice, whereas cinnamon rolls always contain cinnamon (as the name implies). As a result, sticky buns have a more nutty and toffee-like taste compared to cinnamon rolls, which are more sugar-and-spice forward.

What kills yeast in bread? ›

If a large amount of salt (or sugar, which is also hygroscopic) were to be combined with a small amount of yeast and left for a long time it could, in theory, eventually rob the yeast of water to the degree that the yeast cells would begin to die off.

What happens if you eat too much cinnamon rolls? ›

May cause mouth sores

Some people have experienced mouth sores from eating products that contain cinnamon flavoring agents. This is called cinnamon stomatitis. Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde, a compound that may trigger an allergic reaction when consumed in large amounts.

Why is it impossible to eat a spoonful of cinnamon? ›

Cinnamon is made from tree bark and contains cellulose, a substance that doesn't break down easily. While tolerable in very small amounts, in larger concentrated amounts cinnamon can cause kids to gag, cough, choke, and have a burning sensation in the mouth, nose, and throat.

How much is the pie at Dollywood? ›

A slice costs $19.99 and the whole pie, with the cast-iron skillet included, will run you $229, according to a Dollywood fact sheet provided to Simplemost.

How much are popcorn buckets at Dollywood? ›

(1) Popcorn Bucket = $7.75 regular price. Gold card discount applicable which makes total popcorn bucket $6.20. Popcorn bucket comes full upon purchase with refills at $0.99.

How much is a frozen drink at Dollywood? ›

Dollywood Theme Park Options

Mug allows the purchase of fountain drink refills for $. 99 + tax and frozen drinks for $1.99 + tax during the remainder of the current season. Mug may be used at Dollywood, Dollywood's Splash Country and Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa during the current season.

How much does Dolly Parton get from 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.

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