Dollywood Cinnamon Bread with Icing

🏞️ Introduction: A Sweet Slice of the Smoky Mountains

If you’ve ever wandered through the charming streets of Dollywood, the famous Tennessee theme park nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, you know the sweet scent of cinnamon in the air is impossible to ignore. That’s the legendary Dollywood Cinnamon Bread calling your name.

Warm, fluffy, rich with cinnamon sugar, and drizzled with a silky vanilla glaze—this bread is not just a treat; it’s a Southern comfort experience. Whether you’re visiting in the heat of summer or during a festive fall trip, that freshly baked cinnamon bread draws long lines of guests eager to taste the magic.

Now, you don’t need a ticket to Dollywood to enjoy its most iconic snack. This copycat Dollywood Cinnamon Bread recipe is easy to make at home and brings all the warm, gooey nostalgia with it. Perfect for holiday breakfasts, weekend brunches, bake sales, or just a cozy treat with your coffee, this cinnamon loaf will quickly become a family favorite.

🌟 Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Bread

This isn’t your average cinnamon swirl loaf. It’s loaded with buttery cinnamon sugar, has a tender crumb, and is finished with an irresistible icing drizzle.

✔️ Family-Friendly and Fun to Bake

No yeast. No rise time. Just simple pantry ingredients and easy steps.

✔️ Better Than a Cinnamon Roll

Imagine the ease of banana bread meets the flavor of a cinnamon roll—but with fewer steps and more reward.

✔️ Perfect Make-Ahead Treat

Bake it ahead for guests, brunch, or gifting. It keeps beautifully and can be frozen.

✔️ Inspired by a Beloved Theme Park

This isn’t just cinnamon bread—it’s Dollywood cinnamon bread. That means it’s legendary, and now you can have it at home.

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s break this down into three parts: the bread, the filling, and the icing.

🥖 For the Bread:

2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup milk
¼ cup butter, melted
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

🍯 For the Cinnamon Filling:

½ cup butter, melted
½ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

🍥 For the Icing:

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Additions: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for an extra warm spice profile. You can also toss in some chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.

👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s recreate the magic of Dollywood in your kitchen. This recipe is beginner-friendly, kid-approved, and guaranteed to impress.

🔥 Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper for easy removal.

🥣 Step 2: Make the Bread Batter

In one bowl, mix your dry ingredients:

Flour
Sugar
Baking powder
Salt

In another bowl, whisk together the wet:

Milk
Melted butter
Egg
Vanilla

Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry using a spatula or wooden spoon. Do not overmix—a few lumps are okay. The batter should be thick but pourable.

🍬 Step 3: Mix the Cinnamon Filling

In a small bowl, stir together:

Melted butter
Brown sugar
Ground cinnamon

This will be your gooey cinnamon swirl that gives the bread its signature texture and taste.

🧱 Step 4: Layer the Batter and Filling

Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
Sprinkle half of the cinnamon filling across the batter.
Pour the remaining batter over the cinnamon layer and spread gently.
Top with the rest of the cinnamon filling.

Use a butter knife to swirl the top layer gently into the batter, creating those beautiful marbled cinnamon ribbons.

⏲️ Step 5: Bake

Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until:

A toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a little cinnamon stickiness is okay—just no raw batter).

Check at 38 minutes to avoid overbaking, especially if your oven runs hot.

❄️ Step 6: Cool Before Icing

Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it to a wire rack. Wait another 10–15 minutes before icing so the drizzle doesn’t melt completely off.

🍥 Step 7: Make the Icing

In a small bowl, whisk together:

Powdered sugar
Milk
Vanilla extract

If the icing is too thick, add more milk 1 teaspoon at a time until it’s smooth and pourable.

💧 Step 8: Drizzle and Devour

Using a spoon or piping bag, drizzle the icing generously over the warm bread. Let it set for a few minutes, then slice into thick, indulgent pieces.

Serve warm, at room temperature, or reheated with a pad of butter. Every slice tastes like a hug.

🕒 Time & Yield Overview

Step	Time
Prep Time	15 minutes
Bake Time	40–45 minutes
Total Time	About 1 hour
Servings	8–10 slices
Difficulty	Easy – Beginner Friendly

Calories: Approx. 280–300 per slice, depending on icing quantity

📦 Storage Tips

🧊 To Store:

Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Refrigerate for up to 1 week.

❄️ To Freeze:

Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer bag.
Freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw at room temperature or reheat in the microwave.

Pro Tip: Reheat for 10–15 seconds for that fresh-from-the-oven taste.

💡 Expert Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Bread

✅ Don’t Overmix the Batter

Overmixing develops gluten and leads to dense bread. Stir just until combined.

✅ Use Room Temperature Ingredients

This helps everything blend more smoothly for a more uniform crumb.

✅ Customize Your Toppings

Sprinkle extra cinnamon sugar, crushed pecans, or even a dash of sea salt on top of the icing for added texture and flavor contrast.

✅ Make a Double Batch

Trust us, one loaf disappears fast. Make two and freeze one for later!

🧁 Variations You’ll Love

🍎 Apple Cinnamon Bread

Add ½ cup finely chopped apples (peeled) to the batter for a fall-inspired twist.

🍫 Chocolate Swirl Version

Add a handful of mini chocolate chips or a swirl of Nutella between the layers.

🧈 Streusel Topping

Combine butter, flour, sugar, and cinnamon into a crumbly streusel and sprinkle over the top before baking.

🎉 Perfect for Any Occasion

Whether you’re hosting a brunch, enjoying a quiet morning with coffee, or surprising someone with a homemade gift, Dollywood Cinnamon Bread is a versatile winner.

It’s great for:

Holiday mornings
Bake sales
Gifting teachers or neighbors
Housewarming baskets
Mother’s Day brunch
Fall baking season

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❓ FAQs

Can I use gluten-free flour?

Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose blend for best results. Make sure it contains xanthan gum.

Can I use buttermilk instead of regular milk?

Absolutely. Buttermilk will make the bread even more tender and add a subtle tang.

What kind of loaf pan works best?

A metal 9×5 loaf pan bakes more evenly. If using glass or ceramic, add a few minutes to the bake time.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes! Just bake two separate loaves rather than trying to bake a larger loaf.

📸 Share Your Bake!

Did you try this Dollywood Cinnamon Bread recipe? We’d love to see it!

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