Dollywood Cinnamon Bread

This copycat Dollywood cinnamon bread recipe is full of brown sugar and cinnamon goodness! The flavor is amazing, and the fluffy yet slightly crisp texture is addictive. Just like the famous cinnamon bread that many enjoy at Dollywood, you too can have this treat without ever leaving your home!

My Take On The Dollywood Cinnamon Bread

If you've ever had the world famous cinnamon bread at Dollywood before, you know how delicious it is.

Since it's so good, you should be able to enjoy it anytime without actually having to go to Dollywood in Tennessee. Well, that's where this copycat recipe comes in. You can recreate all of that deliciousness in the comfort of your own home!

This cinnamon bread is perfectly moist and fluffy with a melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon sugar mixture that creates a crisp crust. I may be biased, but I think this recipe is even better than the real thing!

Why You'll Love This Cinnamon Bread

• It's super simple to make. Making bread from scratch may sound intimidating, but this recipe is so simple. All you have to do is make the dough, set it aside to rise, top it with the melted butter and the cinnamon sugar mixture, and bake. So easy!
• Perfect for sharing. This recipe makes two loaves, so you keep one at home and bring one over to a friend's house. Trust me, it'll make their day!
• Easy to customize. When your cinnamon bread is finished baking, add a little powdered sugar over the top to really sweeten the deal. You can also serve this bread with a jar of maple cream apple butter or just regular butter. Any way you eat it, it'll be addictive!
• Keeps great. No need for two loaves of bread? No problem! Simply wrap the second loaf up and freeze it. It's the perfect sweet treat to have on hand whenever the cravings hit. 

Ingredients

Check out everything you need for the cinnamon bread dough:

• Active dry yeast- to give the bread a light and fluffy texture.
• Pinch of sugar- I always add a generous pinch to sweeten up the dough.
• Bread flour- for the best chewy texture.
• Butter- essential to mix the dough together.
• Warm water- the other element that brings the dough together. Make sure it's warm! 

And here's what you need for the brown sugar cinnamon topping:

• Brown sugar and sugar- because two sugars are better than one. 
• Melted butter- to coat the bread and help the sugar stick. It gives it that melt-in-your-mouth finish.

How To Make Dollywood Cinnamon Bread

Step 1: Prep

Add the active dry yeast, sugar, and water to a small bowl. Set it aside for 5 minutes. While the yeast sits, add the flour and melted butter to a large bowl.

Step 2: Make the Dough

After the 5 minutes is up, add the yeast mixture to the center of your flour mixture. Start to stir the two together, gradually incorporating more flour as you mix. Once the dough forms, place it on parchment paper or a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.

Step 3: Let it Rise

Set the bread dough back into a greased bowl and let it rise for 2 hours. You can cover the bowl with a lightweight, clean dish towel to protect your dough.

Step 4: Shape the Dough

After 2 hours, shape the bread dough into two rectangles. Make a few cuts on the top of each loaf and leave them to rise on the parchment paper for another 30 minutes. When the time is almost up, preheat the oven to 350°F and grease two 9x5-inch loaf pans with butter.

Step 5: Cover the Dough in Brown Sugar and Cinnamon

In a bowl, combine the sugar and brown sugar with cinnamon. Add melted butter and corn syrup into a separate bowl and mix. Gently dip the dough into the butter corn syrup mixture, then coat it with the cinnamon sugar mixture. 

Step 6: Bake

Add the dough to the prepared loaf pans. Pour the remaining butter mixture over the dough. Sprinkle any remaining cinnamon sugar mixture over the top. Bake the cinnamon bread for 25 minutes and cool on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Let the dough rise in a warm place. Yeast loves warmth—it helps the dough expand and develop that fluffy, pillowy texture Dollywood’s cinnamon bread is famous for. If your kitchen is cool, place the covered bowl in an oven with just the light on or near a sunny window.
• Use a stand mixer for easy kneading. While you can knead by hand, a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook makes the process faster and more consistent. It helps build gluten evenly, giving you a smooth, elastic dough with minimal effort.
• Watch closely at the end of baking. Cinnamon bread can go from perfectly golden to overbaked quickly. Start checking a few minutes before the timer goes off—your bread should be golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
• Serve warm with cream cheese or glaze. Fresh from the oven is always best. Spread softened cream cheese over a slice or drizzle with a simple glaze for that same indulgent, decadent flavor you’d get at Dollywood.

How I Recommend Storing This Cinnamon Bread

At room temperature: Store any leftover bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and kept in a sealed bag with the excess air squeezed out. It'll last on the counter for 3-5 days.

In the freezer: You can wrap the loaves of bread in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. 

Reheating: I like to put a slice of bread in the toaster oven for that fresh-out-of-the-oven flavor. It also gives it a slightly crispy crust that's addictive. 

Cinnamon Bread Recipe FAQS

Can I make Dollywood cinnamon bread ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough the night before, let it rise in the refrigerator, and then shape and bake it the next day. This slow rise actually enhances the flavor. Once baked, the bread is best enjoyed warm, but you can reheat slices in the oven for that fresh-from-Dollywood experience.

How do I store leftover cinnamon bread?

Store the cooled bread in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in foil at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the bread (whole or in slices) for up to 2 months. Reheat in a 325°F oven until warmed through—this keeps the bread soft and brings back that gooey cinnamon-sugar center.

What makes this recipe like the famous Dollywood cinnamon bread?

The signature of Dollywood’s cinnamon bread is its pillowy-soft dough, gooey cinnamon-sugar layers, and buttery crust. This copycat recipe uses the same rising technique, butter-brushed dough, and heavy cinnamon-sugar coating to give you that theme park–quality flavor at home.

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

Yes, but bread flour is recommended. The higher protein content in bread flour develops more gluten, which gives the bread a chewier texture and better structure. If using all-purpose flour, your bread will still be delicious but slightly softer.

More Copycat Recipes To Try

• McGriddle
• Starbucks banana bread
• Starbucks lemon loaf
• Bojangles boberry biscuits
• Cracker Barrel pancakes