Homemade Buttery Cinnamon Bread (Dollywood Copycat) Recipe

If you’ve ever wandered into Dollywood, you know the unmistakable aroma of their cinnamon bread is nothing short of magical. Lucky for us, with this Homemade Buttery Cinnamon Bread (Dollywood Copycat), you can capture that melt-in-your-mouth, sugary, cinnamon delight right in your own kitchen. The golden, crackly crust gives way to a tender, rich crumb swirled with gooey cinnamon sugar—an absolute showstopper whether you’re serving guests or just sneaking a warm slice for yourself. It’s a nostalgic treat that instantly transports you to cozy, carefree days at the theme park (without the five-hour road trip!).

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is wonderfully straightforward, but each ingredient truly plays a star role in the final bread. From the rich butter to the signature dash of cinnamon, every element adds something irresistible to the taste, texture, or color of your Homemade Buttery Cinnamon Bread (Dollywood Copycat).

• Yeast (3/4 teaspoon): Gives the bread its beautiful rise and chewy crumb—don’t skip the foaming test for best results!
• Bread flour (1 1/2 cups): Offers plenty of structure for those lovely, soft slices; using bread flour makes for a really tender loaf.
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Brings out the flavors and balances the sweetness throughout the loaf.
• Butter, melted (2 tablespoons & 6 tablespoons): Adds that incomparable richness both inside the dough and in the decadent topping—real butter makes a big difference!
• Cooking spray: Ensures nothing sticks—helpful for both rising and baking; parchment plus spray equals easy removal.
• Water (1/2 cup, warm): Activates the yeast and brings the dough together.
• Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Sweetens the bread and helps feed the yeast for the perfect rise.
• Brown sugar (1/4 cup): Deepens the flavor and creates that caramelized, sticky topping.
• Cinnamon (1 tablespoon): The essential spice—don’t be shy, a heaping tablespoon gives that signature Dollywood flavor!
• Light corn syrup (2 tablespoons): Helps the topping cling and achieve a glossy finish; don’t leave it out if you want that unmistakable shine.

How to Make Homemade Buttery Cinnamon Bread (Dollywood Copycat)

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Start by adding your 3/4 teaspoon of yeast to a bowl with 1/2 cup of warm water and a pinch of sugar. Let this sit for about five minutes, watching like a hawk for that satisfying froth. If you don’t see bubbles forming, don’t fret—just grab a fresh packet and try again. This quick step ensures your Homemade Buttery Cinnamon Bread (Dollywood Copycat) gets the perfect, light texture and avoids becoming a bread brick.

Step 2: Mix and Knead the Dough

Grab your stand mixer and toss in the bread flour and salt. Pour in the 2 tablespoons of melted butter (let it cool so it doesn’t shock the yeast), followed by your activated yeast mixture. Using the dough hook, let your mixer do all the work for 5–8 minutes until you have a silky, supple dough. Place the dough in a bowl coated with cooking spray, cover, and find it a cozy warm spot to rise for about an hour. You’re aiming for the dough to double in size, which signals a fluffy loaf ahead.

Step 3: Shape and Second Rise

After the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air (the dough should feel like the softest pillow). Divide it in half and gently shape each piece into a rectangle around three by six inches. Set these doughy pillows on a parchment-lined, sprayed baking sheet. Spray a sheet of plastic wrap and drape it over the top to keep everything moist. Let these rest and rise again for another 30 minutes—this second rise makes all the difference for pillowy bread.

Step 4: Prepare the Sweet Topping

While the dough takes its beauty nap, whisk together 6 tablespoons of melted butter and 2 tablespoons of corn syrup in a shallow dish. In another dish, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. This duo is the secret to the bread’s famous sticky-sweet, spiced crust that everyone craves.

Step 5: Prep Pans and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans with parchment paper. This little move ensures the bread lifts out without a fight, keeping your gorgeous cinnamon crust intact. Ready your pans before handling the dough so you can move quickly and gently.

Step 6: Slash, Dip, and Coat

Take each dough rectangle and use a sharp knife to cut four deep slashes across the top, sawing about halfway through but not all the way to the bottom. The trickiest part: carefully dip each loaf into the butter/corn syrup mixture, coating both sides (it might get a little messy, and that’s part of the fun). Next, dredge the loaf in the cinnamon sugar, making sure to press the mixture into the slashes—every groove should be packed with cinnamon sugar goodness. Pop each coated loaf in the prepared pans; you’re almost ready.

Step 7: Final Topping and Bake

Pour any remaining butter mixture over the loaves, then shower them with the last of your brown sugar mixture. Now, bake for about 25 minutes, until your kitchen smells like a cinnamon fantasy and the bread is beautifully golden. Transfer the finished bread to a wire rack and let it cool for at least 15 minutes—if you can resist tearing into it immediately!

How to Serve Homemade Buttery Cinnamon Bread (Dollywood Copycat)

Garnishes

A drizzle of icing made with powdered sugar and milk, or even a dusting of extra cinnamon and sugar, makes this bread feel extra-special for celebrations or brunch. For more decadence, try a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or a pat of melting butter right before serving. The toppings cling to those craggy cinnamon ridges, so every bite is a new surprise.

Side Dishes

Pair your Homemade Buttery Cinnamon Bread (Dollywood Copycat) with fresh fruit, crispy bacon, or eggs for a weekend breakfast feast. On the sweeter side, serve alongside fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert. Coffee or chai are fantastic for sipping and soaking up all the flavors!

Creative Ways to Present

Slice the bread thickly and serve “pull-apart” style, letting friends tear off their own pieces—it fuels the fun! Or, try stacking slices on a wooden board beside bowls of different dips: cream cheese, apple butter, or chocolate sauce for a DIY cinnamon bread tasting. Wrap up a loaf in parchment and bakers’ twine for a charming homemade gift that will brighten anyone’s day.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, wrap any leftover Homemade Buttery Cinnamon Bread (Dollywood Copycat) tightly in foil or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The sugar crust stays crisp, and the inside remains satisfyingly soft. Try to resist refrigerating unless your kitchen is very warm, as chilling can stiffen the loaf.

Freezing

This bread freezes beautifully! Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then again in foil, and freeze for up to two months. For best results, slice before freezing so you can defrost only what you need. Thaw overnight at room temperature and warm briefly to recapture the signature gooeyness.

Reheating

To bring out that fresh-baked aroma and flavor, reheat slices in a 300°F oven for about 8–10 minutes or give them a quick zap in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. Warmed bread revives the sticky, caramelized topping and soft crumb for the ultimate treat.

FAQs

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour, but bread flour creates a slightly chewier, more robust crumb that mimics Dollywood’s texture. If you use all-purpose, the result will still be tasty—just a bit more cake-like and light.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

No mixer? No problem! Mix the dough with a sturdy spatula until it comes together, then knead by hand for about 8–10 minutes on a floured surface until smooth and elastic. The hands-on time only adds to the fun.

Is there a way to make this bread even gooier?

For extra gooeyness, simply double the butter and sugar topping, and make sure to really pack it into the slashes before baking. This creates extra cinnamon swirls and gooey pockets throughout each slice.

Can I make Homemade Buttery Cinnamon Bread (Dollywood Copycat) ahead for brunch?

Absolutely! You can prep the loaves up to the final rise, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them come to room temp, then proceed with dipping, coating, and baking. Freshly baked, ready when your guests arrive!

How can I tell when the bread is done baking?

Look for a light golden crust and a set, springy texture when you press the top. The inside should register around 190°F on an instant-read thermometer. Be careful not to overbake, as that luscious cinnamon swirl should stay gooey.

Final Thoughts

If you love the sweet warmth of cinnamon bread, making Homemade Buttery Cinnamon Bread (Dollywood Copycat) is a baking day you’ll absolutely treasure. Whether you’re recreating theme park memories or discovering the magic for the first time, this recipe delivers pure, buttery comfort. Give it a try—you’ll never go back to plain cinnamon toast!

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