Dollywood’s Famous Cinnamon Bread: An Irresistible Recipe
A replica of Dollywood’s legendary cinnamon bread – soft, pull-apart loaf swirled with cinnamon sugar, baked to golden perfection, and best served warm with vanilla cream cheese icing.
- Prep Time: 30 mins (plus 2 hrs rising)
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Total Time: 3 hrs 5 mins
- Yield: 1 loaf (10 servings) 1x
- Category: Dessert/Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Dough:
- 4 cups (500g) bread flour
- 1/3 cup (65g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) instant yeast
- 1 cup (240ml) warm whole milk (110°F/43°C)
- 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) brown sugar
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- For the Icing (optional):
- 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Make the dough: Whisk flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a bowl. Add warm milk, melted butter, and eggs. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Knead (by hand or mixer) for 8-10 mins until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1-2 hours until doubled.
- Prepare filling: Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until creamy.
- Shape the loaf: Roll risen dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle. Spread filling evenly over the surface. Roll tightly from the long edge into a log. Cut into 8-10 slices and arrange in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise 30-45 mins.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 30-35 mins until golden brown. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
- Ice (optional): Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. Drizzle over warm bread.
Notes
- For extra gooeyness, brush baked bread with melted butter before icing.
- Use bread flour for the softest texture; all-purpose flour works in a pinch.
- Freeze unbaked shaped loaf for later: Thaw overnight in fridge, then rise and bake.
- Serve warm for the classic Dollywood experience!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (with icing)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
