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.
The bread is available for purchase at both of Dollywood's resorts, DreamMore and HeartSong, which are located right near the park. Both resorts have grab-and-go cafes (DM Pantry at DreamMore, and Songbird Market at HeartSong), where anyone can buy the Cinnamon Bread.
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.
Did you know that Dollywood's cinnamon bread is a vegetarian and dairy-free option? Although not 100% vegan, the butter cream is made with a butter alternative rather than real butter to support allergen awareness, which helps to land this fan-favorite a sweet spot on our vegetarian-friendly list!
The Swedes claim it originated there in the 1920s, though ask any Nordic country in Europe and they'll tell you the sweet roll was actually their invention. Regardless of its exact birthplace, the bun is a staple of Scandinavian baking and commonly enjoyed during FIKA, a get-together with friends.
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.
But those long lines obviously don't deter guests from purchasing the famous bread because Dollywood sells more than 210,000 loaves of cinnamon bread every year.
Does Dolly Parton make money from Dollywood? Dolly Parton does indeed make money from Dollywood, her namesake theme park in East Tennessee. She reportedly owns a 50% stake in the park, which Forbes estimates is worth $165 million for the singer.
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.
Front Porch Cafe: Situated in the heart of Dollywood's Rivertown Junction, the Front Porch Cafe is known for its Southern hospitality and flavorful dishes. Feast on their gluten-free options, such as the hickory-smoked turkey legs and grilled chicken sandwich served with a side of steamed vegetables.
A few types of bread that are commonly vegan include pita, ciabatta, and focaccia. Veganism refers to a way of living that attempts to minimize animal exploitation and cruelty. For this reason, vegans aim to exclude all foods containing meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, and honey from their diet ( 1 ).
Is sourdough bread suitable for vegans? Nearly all sourdough bread is vegan-friendly. Some non-vegan ingredients, including dairy, honey, and eggs, can appear in sourdough, but those are outstanding exceptions to the rule.
A cinnamon roll (also known as cinnamon bun, cinnamon swirl, cinnamon Danish and cinnamon snail) is a sweet roll commonly served in Northern Europe (mainly in Nordic countries, but also in Austria and Germany) and North America.
Perhaps the appeal is in its versatility. Cinnamon can be used in sweet dishes such as apple pie or gingerbread but also adds flavor to savory foods such as curries and stews. It can also add another dimension to beverages such as coffee, hot chocolate or mulled wine.
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.
Coolers are not allowed at Dollywood's Splash Country (as there are plenty of restaurants within the park for your convenience). You may bring light snacks in a Ziploc bag, especially if you have a toddler or certain dietary restrictions.
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