Dollywood Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread with Glaze Recipe
Oh, if you haven’t tried Dollywood Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread with Glaze Recipe yet, you’re in for a real treat! This bread is one of those magical baked goods that taste like a warm hug on a cold morning. The aroma of cinnamon sugar mingling with golden, buttery dough fills your kitchen, and the pull-apart texture makes it not only delicious but fun to eat — I mean, who doesn’t love tearing off bite-sized pieces straight from the fresh loaf?
This recipe works wonderfully for weekend breakfasts, holiday brunches, or any time you want to impress family and friends with something homemade yet unexpectedly simple. I love keeping it in my back pocket for last-minute guests because it looks fancy but actually comes together faster than you’d think. Trust me, once you try this Dollywood Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread with Glaze Recipe, it’ll become your new go-to sweet bread!
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple Ingredients: Uses accessible pantry staples and frozen bread dough for convenience without sacrificing flavor.
- Pull-Apart Texture: Strategic slits create soft, tearable sections perfect for sharing and snacking.
- Buttery Cinnamon Goodness: Butter and cinnamon sugar soak into every nook, making each bite flavorful and moist.
- Glaze Finish: A smooth glaze adds the perfect sweet touch that hard to resist, especially warm off the oven.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of Dollywood Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread with Glaze Recipe lies in the harmony of each ingredient — from thawed bread dough to that irresistible cinnamon sugar mix. Every element plays a vital role in achieving the bread’s distinct flavor and texture, so I’ve included some tips for picking and preparing them.
- Cinnamon: Use good quality ground cinnamon for that warm, spicy aroma that’s essential to the flavor.
- Granulated sugar: It blends with cinnamon to create a crunchy, sweet coating on the bread.
- Frozen bread dough: Convenient and reliable; thaw completely for the best rise and texture.
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter seeps into all the crevices, adding softness and richness.
- Confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar): Perfect for a delicate glaze that melts on the bread and adds just the right amount of sweetness.
- Water: To thin the glaze just enough for drizzling, so it doesn’t overwhelm the bread.
Tweak to Your Taste
One of the things I love most about this Dollywood Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread with Glaze Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you like it ultra-cinnamon spicy, extra buttery, or even nutty, there’s room to make it your own.
- Add nuts or raisins: I’ve tossed in chopped pecans or plump raisins before baking for added texture and sweetness — it’s like a cozy upgrade.
- Make it gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free bread dough substitute, but keep in mind the rising times may vary.
- Extra glaze: If you love the sweet topping, double the glaze recipe and drizzle generously for a richer finish.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Dollywood Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread with Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
Start by spraying your loaf pan with cooking spray—this saves you from any sticky moments later—and line it with parchment paper to easily lift out the bread once baked. I use an 8 ½ by 4 ½ inch pan for that classic pull-apart shape. Mix the cinnamon and granulated sugar in a shallow dish; this combo is what gives the bread that signature sweet and spicy kick.
Step 2: Slice the Dough and Butter Generously
Take your thawed bread dough and make 4 deep, horizontal slits across the top—this creates those pullable chunks we all love. Using a pastry brush, paint the dough with melted butter, making sure the butter seeps into every crevice, sides, and even the bottom if you can manage! Then, roll the entire loaf carefully in your cinnamon sugar mixture so it’s evenly coated. I find dipping the whole loaf in the butter first makes the cinnamon sugar stick like a charm.
Step 3: Let It Rise and Bake Low & Slow
Place the coated loaf into your prepared pan and cover it with a warm, clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm spot for about 30 minutes until it looks puffed and inviting. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 300°F—baking it at this low temp ensures a tender crumb that pulls apart just right. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes until the top is a golden brown and smells like heaven.
Step 4: Whip Up the Glaze and Finish
While the bread cools on a wire rack, mix your confectioner’s sugar with a couple tablespoons of water until smooth but still thick enough to coat a spoon. Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm bread—the warmth helps it soak in beautifully. Once cooled, I often add a second drizzle for a little more sweetness and that classic Dollywood finish.
Pro Tips for Making Dollywood Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread with Glaze Recipe
- Use Fresh Dough: Make sure your frozen bread dough is fully thawed to room temperature for proper rising and texture.
- Be Generous with Butter: Don’t skimp here—lots of butter means moist, flavorful bread and helps the cinnamon sugar stick perfectly.
- Low Heat Baking: Baking at 300°F rather than higher temps avoids overbrowning and helps achieve that soft pull-apart crumb.
- Double Glaze: If you want extra gooey goodness, drizzle glaze once warm and again after cooling to build layers of sweetness.
How to Serve Dollywood Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread with Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep garnishes simple: a sprinkle of extra cinnamon on top of the glaze just before serving adds a lovely touch of spice and visual appeal. Sometimes, I add a few toasted chopped pecans for a nutty contrast that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon sweetness.
Side Dishes
This bread goes perfectly with a cup of hot coffee or tea. If I’m making breakfast, I often add fresh fruit or a creamy scrambled egg on the side to balance the sweetness and make it a well-rounded meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to place the pull-apart bread on a rustic wooden board surrounded by small bowls of whipped cream, honey butter, or fruit preserves. It turns simple bread into a beautiful centerpiece that invites everyone to dig in and share.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover Dollywood Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread with Glaze Recipe can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for up to two days. I like to keep it covered on the counter so it stays soft without drying out.
Freezing
If you want to freeze it, wrap the loaf well in plastic wrap and then foil before placing it in the freezer. When I’ve done this, it reheats beautifully without losing texture. Just be sure to freeze it before glazing for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, I unwrap the bread and place it in a 300°F oven for about 10-15 minutes until warm throughout. Then, I drizzle on some extra glaze to freshen it up. This little reheating ritual keeps the bread tasting just-baked, even days later!
FAQs
-
Can I use homemade bread dough instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Homemade bread dough works wonderfully here. Just make sure it has fully risen before you start shaping and slicing it. The rising times might vary, but the recipe steps remain the same.
-
What if my bread doesn’t rise enough during the 30-minute rise?
If your bread doesn’t puff up as much as expected, try letting it rise a bit longer in a warmer spot. A cozy kitchen or slightly warmed oven (turned off) with a bowl of hot water often helps encourage better rising.
-
Can I add other spices besides cinnamon?
Definitely! While cinnamon is classic, you can experiment with cardamom, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice for a fun twist. Just adjust quantities to taste and enjoy exploring new flavor profiles.
-
Is this bread best served warm or at room temperature?
It’s delicious both ways! Warm bread is extra soft and gooey with the glaze melting perfectly, while room temperature slices hold their shape better for snacking later. I usually prefer it warm fresh out of the oven, but it’s great either way.
Final Thoughts
Sharing this Dollywood Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread with Glaze Recipe feels a little like passing along a family secret because it’s just that good. I love how it brings people together—whether it’s a lazy Sunday morning or a festive celebration, everyone reaches for those warm, buttery pieces with smiles. Give it a try, and I bet you’ll find this sweet, cinnamon-spiced bread becoming a staple in your kitchen too. Happy baking, friend!
Print
Dollywood Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread with Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Dollywood Bread is a sweet, cinnamon-sugar coated pull-apart bread with a buttery glaze, inspired by the famous treat from Dollywood theme park. This loaf features soft, fluffy bread dough slashed to create a signature pull-apart texture, baked until golden, and finished with a smooth confectioner’s sugar glaze.
Ingredients
For the bread:
- 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 lb. frozen bread dough, thawed
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
For the glaze:
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted
- 3 Tbsp water
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Spray an 8 1⁄2 by 4 1⁄2 by 2 1⁄2-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bread.
- Mix cinnamon sugar: In a shallow dish, mix 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon with 1/2 cup granulated sugar and set aside.
- Slash the dough: Make 4 deep, horizontal slits on the top of the thawed bread dough to create the signature pull-apart effect.
- Brush with butter: Generously brush the loaf all over with 4 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, making sure to coat the crevices, sides, and bottom completely.
- Coat in cinnamon sugar: Roll the buttered loaf in the cinnamon sugar mixture so it adheres well into all the slits and crevices.
- Let the dough rise: Place the loaf in the prepared pan and set it in a warm place to rise for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Bake the bread: Bake the bread for 35 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and the bread is fully cooked.
- Make the glaze: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of sifted confectioner’s sugar with 3 tablespoons of water. Stir until smooth to form a drizzle-able glaze.
- Cool and glaze: Remove the bread from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool slightly. Drizzle the warm bread with the glaze, then add more glaze once the bread has cooled completely for an extra sweet finish.
Notes
- Make sure the bread dough is fully thawed before working with it for best rising results.
- Be generous with the butter to get the cinnamon sugar to stick well and penetrate the slits.
- Adjust the amount of water in the glaze to get your preferred glaze consistency—thicker or thinner.
- You can use store-bought frozen bread dough or homemade dough if you prefer.
- For a deeper cinnamon flavor, you can increase cinnamon to 1 tablespoon if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
