Dollywood Cinnamon Bread
There’s something special about Dollywood’s famous cinnamon bread—soft, sweet, and packed with cozy cinnamon flavor. Bring that homemade comfort to your kitchen with this easy recipe that captures all the magic in every bite.
Equipment
- Loaf Pan
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 packet active dry yeast 2¼ teaspoons
- 1 cup warm milk about 110°F
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1 cup brown sugar light or dark
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
Optional Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine warm milk and granulated sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Stir in melted butter and salt. Gradually add flour, mixing until dough forms. Knead by hand or mixer for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Transfer dough to greased bowl. Cover with a towel and let rise in warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Divide dough into 2 or 4 pieces depending on loaf pan size. Slice 4-5 slits lengthwise in each piece without cutting all the way through.
- Dip each loaf in melted butter, then roll generously in cinnamon-sugar mixture, coating every surface.
- Place each loaf in greased loaf pan. Let rest 15 minutes while oven preheats to 350°F (175°C). Bake 30–35 minutes until golden and firm.
- If desired, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make glaze. Drizzle over warm bread before serving.
Notes
Room temperature ingredients help dough consistency. Don’t overbake to avoid dryness. Tent with foil if browning too fast. Use a stand mixer to save time.