Description
Bring the magic of the Smoky Mountains to your kitchen with this Homemade Dollywood-Style Cinnamon Bread! Soft, pull-apart bread layered with buttery cinnamon sugar and finished with a sweet vanilla icing—this nostalgic treat captures the warmth and flavor of the famous theme park favorite. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, it’s an easy crowd-pleaser that’s pure comfort in every bite.
Ingredients
- For the Cinnamon Bread:
- 1 loaf frozen bread dough or homemade white bread dough, thawed if frozen
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- For the Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Slice dough lengthwise and crosswise to create deep slits (do not cut all the way through).
- In a small bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar together.
- Brush melted butter over the dough, ensuring it gets into the slits.
- Press the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over the loaf, including into the slits.
- Place dough in loaf pan and let rise for 20–30 minutes in a warm spot, until slightly puffy.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden and fully cooked through.
- While baking, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Once bread is slightly cooled, drizzle with icing and serve warm.
Notes
- Add chocolate chips or chopped nuts into slits for extra flavor.
- Swap vanilla icing for maple glaze using maple syrup and powdered sugar.
- Make mini cinnamon rolls using the same dough and filling in a muffin tin.
- Add softened cream cheese to icing for a richer taste.
- Mix in nutmeg or cardamom with cinnamon for a spiced variation.
- Store leftovers wrapped at room temperature for up to 2 days; reheat before serving. Avoid refrigerating to keep bread soft.
