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.
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).
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.
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's cinnamon bread is made fresh daily at the Grist Mill in the Craftsman's Valley section of the park. And if you've ever visited Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, then you definitely remember the heavenly smell of the cinnamon bread baking as you walk through the scenic paths.
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.
however, cinnamon will actually inhibit the fermentation of your sourdough bread if you add it into the actual dough. For this reason, I've found that adding the cinnamon at shaping is the best way to add it to your sourdough 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!
Inside the park, the cinnamon bread is sold at The Grist Mill in the Craftman's Valley area and the Spotlight Bakery on Showstreet. The lines are often long, but well worth it. If you're staying at the Dollywood DreamMore Resort, you can skip the wait and buy it at the Starbucks in the lobby.
Today, the Grist Mill is home to our world-famous cinnamon bread, which is freshly made daily before your very eyes. Try this famous snack with buttercream icing or Dollywood's own apple butter.
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.
Though originally an exclusive of the Grist Mill, it made its tasty self over to the Spotlight Bakery too. Now here's a sweet tidbit: Dollywood sells a whopping 210,000 loaves of this bread every year!
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.
You can get sick if you eat unbaked dough or batter made with flour containing germs. Germs are killed only when flour is baked or cooked. CDC investigated outbreaks linked to raw flour or cake mix in 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2023.
Pillsbury™ delivers a scratch-like appearance and homeade taste in a convenient freezer-to-oven format with no proofing required. Once out of the oven, Allow 10-15 minutes of cooling for the product to finish baking. Glazing should take place after cooling but while the product is still warm.
They are most popular in Sweden. There's even a National Cinnamon Roll Day (Kanelbullens dag) on October 4 that is celebrated in Sweden. Cinnamon rolls are typically enjoyed with afternoon coffee. In the U.S., they are also eaten at breakfast or for dessert.
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.
Can I bring food into the park? Due to health & safety regulations, outside food, beverages, glassware & coolers are not permitted inside Dollywood or Dollywood's Splash Country.
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.
Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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