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.
If you've been to Dollywood, you know all about its iconic Grist Mill Cinnamon Bread. Even if you've never tasted it, the warm and spicy aroma is like the park's signature scent. One whiff, and you'll want to make a beeline for the Grist Mill, where you'll most definitely find people in wrap-around-the-block lines.
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.
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!
The sweetness of the cinnamon and raisins combined with the smooth creaminess of the cream cheese makes for a delicious change of pace lunch or snack! Feel free to add a little raspberry or blueberry jam to your sandwich, or even peanut butter!!!
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.
Dollywood is a theme park that is jointly owned by Herschend Family Entertainment and country singer-songwriter Dolly Parton through her entertainment company, Dolly Parton Productions.
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.
Granny Ogle's Ham n' Beans is a top option for cost-conscious visitors looking to save a bit on meals. There, you'll find all-you-can eat cornbread and other reasonably-priced options.
The prices are high but that's expected for these places. They do give you specials on food and drinks that are good for the entire season if you're going more than once. For perspective, we bought 3 personal pizzas and 4 drinks (with 4 pieces in each pizza). It was $43!
These cinnamon swirl pastries and buns are common throughout Northern Europe. 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.
If you store them like conventional breads, where they're tightly wrapped and in a bread bag in the bread box, they'll last between 3 and 5 days, but you shouldn't go beyond that, or they'll start to taste stale. If you store them in the fridge, they'll last a bit longer, perhaps up to 7 days.
Yes, cinnamon raisin bread offers several health benefits. Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, while raisins are rich in fiber and antioxidants. Together, they can support heart health, improve digestion, and boost immunity.
Classic choices like coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk are the perfect thing to balance the sweetness of cinnamon rolls. For your brunch spread, orange juice, or mimosas would also be fresh and festive! Cinnamon rolls are a beloved breakfast treat, perfect for lots of different occasions.
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!
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.
The Dollywood website states that you cannot bring any food or drinks into the parks. However, we attempted to bring some snacks in and were told by security that they allow one small snack and one drink per person in your party. Yes, you can go to any area where they serve beverages and ask for cups of ice water.
Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dollywood-eagle-statue-DOLLYBREAD0420-48d5f7fe138e4ad49783e467c161c169.jpg "Dollywood Has the Best Cinnamon Bread in America — and We Have the Official Recipe (2)")
