If you have a sweet tooth and a love for cozy, comforting treats, then you are in for an unforgettable delight with the Dollywood Cinnamon Bread Recipe. This irresistible bread brings together soft, buttery layers of cinnamon-sugar goodness, topped with a smooth glaze that melts in your mouth and makes every bite feel like a warm hug. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special snack, this recipe takes simple ingredients and transforms them into something truly magical, capturing the spirit of southern comfort and the joy of home baking.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Dollywood Cinnamon Bread Recipe lies in its simplicity. The ingredients are straightforward but each one plays a vital role in building that tender texture, rich flavor, and mouthwatering aroma that will fill your kitchen. From the cinnamon-spiced sugar to the buttery glaze, every element is essential for creating the perfect loaf.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and caramelizes slightly during baking for a delightful crust.
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon: The star spice that gives this bread its signature warm and spicy flavor.
- 1 pound frozen bread dough, thawed: The base of the loaf, providing soft, fluffy texture that’s easy to work with.
- 6 Tablespoons salted butter, melted: Adds richness and helps the cinnamon sugar seep deep into the loaf’s layers.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: Used in the glaze for a light, sweet finish that complements the cinnamon perfectly.
- 2 Tablespoons milk: Combine with powdered sugar to create the smooth, pourable glaze topping.
How to Make Dollywood Cinnamon Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
Start by spraying a 9×5-inch loaf pan generously with baking spray to ensure your bread won’t stick. Then mix your granulated sugar and ground cinnamon together in a medium bowl until fully combined. This cinnamon sugar blend is what will create those irresistible pockets of spice and sweetness throughout your loaf.
Step 2: Ready the Bread Dough
Place your thawed frozen bread dough into a shallow dish, like a baking dish. Handling it this way makes it much easier to coat the dough thoroughly with butter and cinnamon sugar. Resist the urge to skip this step in favor of doing it right in the loaf pan — this simple prep helps ensure every slice is perfectly flavorful.
Step 3: Create Slits in the Dough
Make 5 deep slits in the bread dough, but be careful not to cut all the way through. These slits allow the cinnamon sugar and butter mixture to seep deep inside, ensuring every bite bursts with flavor.
Step 4: Butter and Cinnamon Sugar Layers
Generously brush the inside slits and surfaces of the dough with melted butter—use enough to fully coat. Then sprinkle about one-third of the cinnamon sugar mix into the slits and on the dough, gently patting it in. Flip the dough over and repeat the process with more butter and cinnamon sugar. Finally, flip it again, drizzle butter on top, and scatter half of the remaining cinnamon sugar over the surface. The goal is a complete, even coating of cinnamon-sweet goodness.
Step 5: Assemble the Loaf and Let It Rise
Place the bread dough cut side up into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon sugar on top and moisten it with any leftover melted butter to avoid dry spots. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for 30 minutes; this rest time helps the bread become fluffy and soft once baked.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 300°F and bake the loaf for 40 minutes. To bake evenly, turn the pan 180 degrees halfway through cooking. Consider placing a sheet tray on the bottom rack to catch any potential drips — this little tip keeps your oven clean and your bread worry-free.
Step 7: The Finishing Touch: Glaze and Cool
Once baked, let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Use a butter knife to gently loosen the edges, then transfer the bread to a wire rack. While warm, whisk the powdered sugar and milk into a smooth glaze and pour it all over the loaf. Let the glaze settle and cool just a bit before slicing—you’re going to want to dive in right away but patience will reward you with a perfectly decadent experience.
How to Serve Dollywood Cinnamon Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Though the Dollywood Cinnamon Bread Recipe stands beautifully on its own, adding a sprinkle of finely chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts can offer a wonderful crunch that contrasts the soft bread. A dusting of extra cinnamon or a drizzle of honey adds extra warmth and sweetness for those who want to elevate the presentation.
Side Dishes
This bread pairs wonderfully with fruit such as fresh berries, sliced apples, or a citrus fruit salad to brighten the palate. For a more indulgent experience, a smear of cream cheese or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side makes breakfast or dessert feel truly special.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve slices stacked on a rustic wooden board for a charming brunch spread or cut into bite-sized chunks and threaded onto skewers for a fun party appetizer. Wrapping individual slices in parchment and tying with twine makes a fabulous gift for neighbors or friends, spreading the joy of this delightful recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to keep the bread moist and fresh. Beyond that, refrigeration may dry it out, so it’s best to enjoy the bread shortly after baking whenever possible.
Freezing
This cinnamon bread freezes beautifully. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to protect against freezer burn. You can freeze slices individually or the whole loaf for up to 3 months, making it super convenient to enjoy your favorite treat anytime.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw frozen bread at room temperature and warm it in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until soft and fragrant. You can also pop individual slices in the toaster oven for a quick warm-up that restores that fresh-baked charm perfectly.
FAQs
Can I use fresh bread dough instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh bread dough works just as well. Just make sure it’s fully thawed or risen appropriately before you start layering with cinnamon sugar and butter for best results.
What if I don’t have a loaf pan?
You can use any oven-safe dish that’s roughly the same size, but a loaf pan helps the bread keep its shape and bake evenly. Just adjust baking times if your dish is deeper or wider than a 9×5-inch pan.
Can I make this bread dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute the butter with a plant-based margarine and use a milk alternative like almond or oat milk in the glaze. The bread will still be delicious and soft with those lovely cinnamon notes.
How long does the bread take to rise?
The recipe calls for a 30-minute rise after preparation. This allows the dough to puff up a bit and absorb all those wonderful cinnamon and butter flavors before baking.
Is the glaze necessary?
The glaze adds a sweet, smooth finish and moisture that complements the bread beautifully. You can skip it if you prefer a less sweet bread, but it really brings out the best in the Dollywood Cinnamon Bread Recipe.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about the Dollywood Cinnamon Bread Recipe that makes it feel like a warm hug from the inside out. It’s simple, comforting, and perfectly sweet — a fantastic way to brighten any morning or satisfy a craving. I promise once you try this recipe, it will become a beloved staple in your kitchen, bringing smiles to every table it graces.
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Dollywood Cinnamon Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
Dollywood Cinnamon Bread is a delightful, soft, and buttery bread infused with a generous swirl of cinnamon sugar, baked to golden perfection. Topped with a smooth powdered sugar glaze, this sweet bread is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a comforting snack.
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
For the Bread
- 1 pound frozen bread dough, thawed
- 6 Tablespoons salted butter, melted
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with baking spray and set it aside to ensure the bread won’t stick after baking.
- Make Cinnamon Sugar: In a medium bowl, combine 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, stirring well to blend.
- Prepare the Dough: Place the thawed 1 pound frozen bread dough into a shallow baking dish. This setup allows easier handling and ensures the butter and cinnamon sugar penetrate the dough thoroughly.
- Score the Dough: Make 5 deep slits through the bread dough, being careful not to cut all the way through to help the flavors infuse between layers.
- Butter the Dough: Generously brush some of the melted salted butter over the dough, especially inside the slits, to coat it well. Reserve remaining butter for topping.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar: Sprinkle about one-third of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the bread, focusing on the slits, and gently pat it in for better absorption.
- Flip and Repeat: Turn the dough over, brush generously with more melted butter, and sprinkle about one-third more cinnamon sugar. Rub it in thoroughly for even flavor.
- Top Layer: Flip the dough again and drizzle with butter on top. Sprinkle about half of the remaining cinnamon sugar over the top surface.
- Place in Loaf Pan: Place the bread cut side up into the prepared loaf pan to maintain the layered effect.
- Final Sugar and Butter: Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar evenly over the top, then moisten with the remaining butter to avoid dry sugar on the surface.
- Let the Dough Rise: Cover the loaf pan with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for 30 minutes until slightly puffed.
- Bake the Bread: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake the bread for 40 minutes, turning the pan 180° halfway through baking for even cooking. Place a sheet tray on the bottom rack to catch any spills.
- Cool Briefly: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes to set.
- Remove from Pan: Run a butter knife along the loaf pan edges to loosen the bread, then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool further.
- Prepare Glaze: While the bread is still warm, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons milk until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze the Bread: Drizzle the glaze evenly over the warm bread, allowing it to soak in and add extra sweetness and moisture.
- Serve: Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing and serving, though it’s delicious warm if you can’t wait!
Notes
- Using a shallow dish to prepare the dough before placing it in the loaf pan makes it easier to coat the bread thoroughly with butter and cinnamon sugar.
- Turn the bread 180° halfway through baking to promote even cooking and browning.
- The glaze is best applied while the bread is still warm to allow it to soak in nicely.
- For a richer flavor, use high-quality salted butter and fresh cinnamon.
- This bread is best enjoyed within a day or two; store leftovers in an airtight container to keep it soft.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
