Dollywood Cinnamon Bread with Icing Recipe
If you’ve ever strolled through Dollywood or just dreamed of theme park comfort food, then you know how legendary this Dollywood Cinnamon Bread with Icing truly is! It’s everything cozy: soft, pull-apart bread layered with buttery cinnamon sugar, and finished with a swoon-worthy vanilla glaze that seeps into every sticky crevice. The best part? With just a handful of ingredients and simple steps, you can bring this beloved treat into your own kitchen to share with friends and family (or keep it all to yourself—I won’t judge!). This bread is a hug in food form, perfect for breakfast, dessert, or as a home-baked pick-me-up any day of the week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the greatest joys of making Dollywood Cinnamon Bread with Icing is how unfussy the ingredient list is. Each component shines and plays a special role—from creating that signature pillowy texture, to delivering irresistible flavor and gleaming glaze on top.
- Frozen bread dough, thawed: This is our shortcut to fluffy, bakery-style bread without any kneading or proofing drama.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cinnamon swirl and helps build the sticky golden crust that keeps everyone coming back for more.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice—use fresh for the most aromatic swirl and that classic cinnamon warmth.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Gives the bread richness and helps the cinnamon-sugar coating soak into each bite.
- Powdered sugar: The essential base for our icing, it melts on contact and creates that iconic glaze.
- Milk: Loosens the icing just enough so you can drizzle generously over your finished loaf.
- Vanilla extract: A dash of vanilla brings the icing to life with extra depth and sweetness.
How to Make Dollywood Cinnamon Bread with Icing
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s hot when your loaf is ready to bake. Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray; this keeps the bread from sticking and helps those layered pieces lift out easily after baking.
Step 2: Mix the Cinnamon Sugar
In a small bowl, combine your granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Give it a good stir so the cinnamon is evenly distributed—it’s the key to getting every bite flavorful and sweetly spiced. This quick step makes all the difference in spreading that cinnamon-sugar magic from end to end.
Step 3: Roll and Butter the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll out your thawed bread dough into a large rectangle, about 16×8 inches. Don’t worry about being too precise, just aim for an even thickness. Brush the entire surface with melted butter—think of this as the glue for your cinnamon sugar and the pathway to a soft, decadent crumb.
Step 4: Sprinkle and Slice
Generously sprinkle your cinnamon-sugar mixture over the buttered dough, taking care to reach all the corners. Next, cut the dough lengthwise into four equal strips. Stack those strips and then slice across so you have little squares or rectangles—these bits will layer in the pan, creating the signature pull-apart effect.
Step 5: Layer in the Loaf Pan and Bake
Tilt your prepared loaf pan on its end and start layering the dough pieces loosely, letting them crisscross with a little space in between so they can puff up while baking. Brush the top with any extra melted butter left in your bowl. Bake in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, until golden brown, fragrant, and baked through.
Step 6: Make and Drizzle the Icing
While the bread cools slightly in the pan, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth. The icing should be pourable but not too thin. Drizzle this vanilla icing lavishly over your warm loaf, letting it run into the cracks. Now you have that iconic Dollywood Cinnamon Bread with Icing, ready to tear into!
How to Serve Dollywood Cinnamon Bread with Icing
Garnishes
A generous icing drizzle is essential, but you can take your Dollywood Cinnamon Bread with Icing to the next level by finishing with chopped pecans, a sprinkle of extra cinnamon sugar, or even delicate orange zest for a citrusy pop. Serve warm to let the glaze melt and infuse each piece.
Side Dishes
This bread is delightful solo but truly shines alongside a mug of hot coffee, chai, or a glass of cold milk. For brunch, pair with fresh fruit salad, creamy yogurt, or soft scrambled eggs—the cinnamon sweetness complements savory sides beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, serve your Dollywood Cinnamon Bread with Icing in the loaf pan for a rustic, pull-apart centerpiece, or arrange individual chunks on a platter with extra icing for dipping. Want a dessert twist? Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cloud of whipped cream on the side for an instant crowd-pleaser.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (unlikely, but possible!), keep your Dollywood Cinnamon Bread with Icing fresh by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The bread will stay moist and the icing deliciously gooey.
Freezing
Freeze individual pieces wrapped in foil or plastic, then placed in a zip-top freezer bag. To enjoy later, thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter and reheat gently before serving. The bread and icing both freeze well, making this a great make-ahead treat!
Reheating
When you’re ready for another bite, reheat slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or pop the loaf in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes. This revives the gooey, warm texture and brings out the aroma of the cinnamon and vanilla all over again.
FAQs
Can I use homemade bread dough instead of frozen?
Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade white bread dough recipe, you can use it in place of the frozen loaf. Just prepare as directed and proceed with the same rolling, cutting, and layering steps for that perfect Dollywood Cinnamon Bread with Icing texture.
Is it possible to add nuts or raisins?
Yes! Stir in 1/2 cup chopped pecans or raisins between the dough layers for extra crunch or bursts of sweetness that pair beautifully with the cinnamon and icing.
Can I make the icing ahead of time?
You can whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Give it a good stir and bring to room temperature before drizzling over your freshly baked bread.
What’s the best way to keep the bread soft?
Wrap your Dollywood Cinnamon Bread with Icing well in plastic wrap or foil while it’s still slightly warm to trap moisture and prevent it from drying out. Serving warm also helps preserve that pull-apart softness everyone loves.
Can I double the recipe?
Definitely! Double all ingredients and divide the dough between two loaf pans. Baking time may be the same or just a few minutes longer, but keep an eye on color and doneness for best results.
Final Thoughts
This Dollywood Cinnamon Bread with Icing brings the spirit of the Smoky Mountains straight to your kitchen with every sugar-dusted, cinnamon-swirled bite. There’s nothing quite like sharing this irresistible, gooey treat with people you love. I hope you give it a try soon—and don’t be surprised if it becomes a top request at every gathering or cozy night in!
Print
Dollywood Cinnamon Bread with Icing Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the irresistible sweetness of Dollywood Cinnamon Bread with a buttery icing glaze. This pull-apart treat is perfect for breakfast or as a delightful dessert.
Ingredients
Bread:
- 1 loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Mix Cinnamon Sugar: Combine granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Roll and Fill Dough: Roll out thawed dough on a floured surface, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
- Cut and Layer: Cut dough into strips, stack, cut into pieces, and layer in the loaf pan.
- Bake: Brush with remaining butter and bake for 30–35 minutes until golden brown.
- Make Icing: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Ice and Serve: Drizzle icing over warm bread before serving.
Notes
- You can add chopped pecans or raisins for extra texture.
- Serve warm for the best gooey, pull-apart experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 270mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
