On top of being a beloved country singer, movie star and entrepreneur, Dolly Parton is an avid fan of Southern cooking. At Dollywood, her Tennessee theme park, visitors line up for homey favorites like ham and beans, funnel cakes and hand-breaded fried chicken. But one food draws a particularly long line: Dollywood cinnamon bread.
In front of a ravenous crowd, bakers at Dollywood’s Grist Mill slather fresh loaves with butter and cinnamon sugar, then bake until the bread is infused with melty, gooey, caramelized sweetness. The bread is served with creamy apple butter or buttercream. The park brags that it’s world-famous! Here’s why—and how to make it at home.
Dollywood Cinnamon Bread Ingredients
- Active dry yeast
- 2% milk
- Bread flour
- Butter
- Sugar
- Large egg
- Salt
- Flour
Topping:
- Sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Butter
- Optional pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice
Directions
Step 1: Proof the yeast and make a batter
In a stand mixer bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm (not too hot) milk.
Add bread flour, butter, sugar, egg and salt. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes.
Stir in just enough all-purpose flour to form a firm dough. You may need more or less depending on the humidity, the size of your egg and other factors. The dough should be firm, not slack or sticky.
Editor’s Tip: You can use frozen bread dough for this recipe. Just skip down to Step 5.
Step 2: Knead
Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, about six to eight minutes.
Step 3: Let the dough rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about one hour.
Step 4: Prepare the spice
In a pie plate, combine the sugar and pie spice (or plain cinnamon, if you prefer the traditional recipe). Pour melted butter in another pie plate.
Step 5: Shape and season the loaf
Punch the dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and shape into an oblong loaf.
Using a sharp knife, make five slits across the bread dough. This allows the butter and sugar to penetrate into the bread. Roll the dough in butter, coating all sides. Then roll in the sugar mixture.
Step 6: Do the final rise
Place the dough in a parchment-lined 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 40 minutes.
About halfway through the rise, preheat oven to 375°F.
Step 7: Bake
Bake until golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Serve warm, with apple butter, jam or buttercream, if you prefer.
Editor’s Tip: Cover the loaf loosely with foil if the top is browning too quickly.
Dollywood Cinnamon Bread Recipe Tips
Can you customize Dollywood cinnamon bread?
Sure! Add pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice to the topping mixture for more flavor than plain cinnamon.
How do you store Dollywood cinnamon bread?
If you have leftover cinnamon bread, wrap it in plastic or foil and store at room temperature for two to three days. Refrigerating the cinnamon bread will make it dry out more quickly.
