Make Dollywood's famous cinnamon bread at home with our copycat recipe
Prep Time:
2 hours
Cook Time:
35 minutes
Servings:
Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup sugar, divided
  • 3/4 cup warm milk, divided
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1 (1-ounce) package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 14 tablespoon unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus a pinch
  • 2 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
Directions
  1. Step 1: In a large bowl combine 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup warm milk, 1/2 cup warm water and 1 package yeast. Set aside for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 cups flour, 4 tablespoons softened butter and 1 teaspoon salt and stir.
  3. Step 3: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.
  5. Step 5: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons cinnamon and 8 tablespoons (1 stick) melted butter to make the topping.
  6. Step 6: Remove dough from bowl. Knead dough into a bread-shaped log and place in a lightly greased 9-by-5-inch loaf pan (alternatively, do not grease and line the loaf pan with parchment paper). Make 4 crosswise slits in the dough log.
  7. Step 7: Brush the loaf with the topping, making sure that the topping makes its way into the slits.
  8. Step 8: Set aside in a warm place, uncovered, to rise for 30 more minutes. While the bread is on its second rising, preheat the oven to 350F.
  9. Step 9: Bake for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.
  10. Step 10: Meanwhile, make the glaze: Whisk together 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, remaining 1/4 cup warm milk, remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter and a pinch of salt until smooth. Drizzle the glaze on the warm loaf before serving.