Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Soft and fluffy: Perfectly tender bread with a delicious cinnamon swirl.
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Sweet and buttery: Balanced sweetness with rich buttery notes.
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Easy to make: Uses simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
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Perfect for breakfast or dessert: Great with coffee or as a sweet snack.
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Family favorite: A comforting treat everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the bread:
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All-purpose flour
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Granulated sugar
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Active dry yeast
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Warm milk
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Unsalted butter (softened)
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Eggs
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Salt
For the cinnamon filling:
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Brown sugar
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Ground cinnamon
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Unsalted butter (melted)
For the glaze:
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Powdered sugar
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Milk or cream
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Vanilla extract
Directions
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Prepare dough: In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. Let sit until foamy. Add flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and salt. Knead until smooth and elastic.
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First rise: Cover dough and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1-1.5 hours.
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Roll and fill: Roll dough into a rectangle. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over top.
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Form loaf: Roll dough tightly from the long side into a log. Place in a greased loaf pan.
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Second rise: Cover and let rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes.
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Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
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Glaze: Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make glaze. Drizzle over warm bread.
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Cool and serve: Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 8-10 slices
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
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Rising Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
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Cook Time: 35 minutes
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Total Time: About 3 hours
Variations
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Add nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts inside the cinnamon layer.
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Cream cheese swirl: Spread softened cream cheese before adding cinnamon sugar.
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Spice it up: Add nutmeg or cloves to the cinnamon sugar.
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Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend.
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Extra glaze: Double the glaze for a sweeter finish.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days.
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Reheating: Warm slices in the microwave or oven before serving.
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Freezing: Freeze whole loaf or slices wrapped tightly for up to 2 months.
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast?
Yes, but adjust rising time accordingly.
How do I knead dough without a machine?
Use your hands on a floured surface until smooth and elastic.
Can I make this bread ahead?
Prepare dough the night before and refrigerate for a slow rise.
How do I keep the bread moist?
Don’t overbake and store properly.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use a larger pan or two loaf pans.
Can I substitute milk?
Use any dairy or plant-based milk.
Is this bread sweet?
Moderately sweet with a rich cinnamon flavor.
Can I add raisins or dried fruit?
Yes, sprinkle over the filling before rolling.
How thick should the slices be?
About 1-inch thick for best texture.
Can I make mini loaves?
Yes, divide dough into smaller portions and bake accordingly.
Conclusion
Dollywood Cinnamon Bread is a wonderfully soft, sweet, and aromatic bread that fills your kitchen with comforting cinnamon scent. Easy to make at home, it’s a perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or anytime you crave a cozy, delicious snack.

Dollywood Cinnamon Bread
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Dollywood Cinnamon Bread is a soft, sweet, and buttery homemade bread swirled with cinnamon sugar and topped with a rich vanilla glaze. Inspired by the famous treat from Dollywood theme park, this tender cinnamon swirl bread is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or anytime you want a comforting sweet snack.
Ingredients
For the bread:
-
All-purpose flour
-
Granulated sugar
-
Active dry yeast
-
Warm milk
-
Unsalted butter (softened)
-
Eggs
-
Salt
For the cinnamon filling:
-
Brown sugar
-
Ground cinnamon
-
Unsalted butter (melted)
For the glaze:
-
Powdered sugar
-
Milk or cream
- Vanilla extract
Instructions
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Prepare dough: Dissolve yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar; let it foam. In a large bowl, combine yeast mixture with flour, sugar, eggs, softened butter, and salt. Knead until smooth and elastic.
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First rise: Cover dough and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
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Roll and fill: Roll dough into a rectangle. Brush with melted butter, then evenly sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over it.
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Form loaf: Roll dough tightly from the long side into a log. Place in a greased loaf pan.
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Second rise: Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
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Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
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Glaze: Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make a smooth glaze. Drizzle over warm bread.
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Cool and serve: Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
For extra texture, add chopped pecans or walnuts in the cinnamon layer.Try a cream cheese swirl by spreading softened cream cheese before cinnamon sugar.Spice it up with nutmeg or cloves added to the cinnamon sugar.Use gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.Double the glaze if you prefer a sweeter topping.