Dolly Parton Reveals Her Morning Routine, And, Of Course, She Wakes Up at 3 A.M.

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Want to know what's going on in Dolly Parton's kitchen? “Beethoven and biscuits," the singer told us.

That’s right, the icon is an avid cook, and often listens to classical music when she's mixing something up. That, and country music, or whatever she’s feeling that day.

“Sometimes I just like it to be quiet because my head is always full of music and people talking to me and talking at me," Dolly tells Country Living over a Zoom call. "So, sometimes that's a good time for me to be quiet. But when I want music I play some country music, some yacht rock, or some old classical music. Boy, there ain't nothing like cooking a big old southern meal listening to classical music," she says.

And, of course, a big southern meal wouldn't be complete without some sweets! Luckily, Dolly has a whole new baking collection from Duncan Hines. Dolly's been baking with the brand since 2022, and just announced the latest menu of mixes.

The new flavors include a Cinnamon Swirl Crumb Cake and Muffin Mix, Blueberry Muffin and Bread Mix, and a Chocolate Cake Mix which will taste absolutely delicious with Dolly's Creamy Chocolate Buttercream.

While you can grab any of these on your next grocery run, serious Dolly fans can find a whole bundle of Dolly desserts online. Duncan Hines is selling a “Bake Like a Rockstar” collection that includes all the above mixes, plus a Dolly magnet, oven mitt, and three recipe cards that feature some of Dolly’s own favorite recipes.

And good news for you early risers, she’s expanding into breakfast foods even more with a Buttermilk Pancake mix with Duncan Hines’ parent company, Conagra. The singer knows all about the importance of a hearty breakfast, considering she wakes up around three every morning.

“I'm usually having my coffee and doing my spiritual things around 3 o'clock in the morning," she says. "I do my readings and my affirmations and my prayers and all that. Then I'll start drinking my coffee and make something to eat. Then, if I'm not having to go to work real early, that's when I do some of my best writing. I usually have great ideas in the morning when my mind is rested."

In between writing, she says she usually makes calls and goes through some paperwork if needed for the day. At first, I couldn't help but wonder, who is picking up the phone at five or six in the morning? But if Dolly Parton was calling me, I'd probably pick up too.

"By that time, I'll have my good breakfast and take any vitamins and medication. I take a bath, get dressed, and put my makeup on, and I'm ready to go. I can get more done before 7 o'clock than most people can all day."

And writing songs and making muffins is only the beginning of all her work! Mrs. Parton and her to-do list just seem to keep on going. In fact, she mentioned she's releasing a cookbook with her sister in the fall, which will share some of her favorite family recipes from her Tennessee mountain home.

And moving to the stage, the singer is finishing up plans for a musical all about her life she hopes to premier on Broadway by 2025. Filled with Dolly hits and new originals, she teased the cast album for the show could be her next music release.

As we wrapped up our conversation, Dolly left me with some true Dolly-like wisdom...

"Remember, we gotta sing, we gotta write, and we gotta eat!"

Dolly Parton's Buttermilk Biscuit Mix

Dolly Parton's Fabulously Fudgy Brownie Mix

Dolly Parton's Sweet Cornbread & Muffin Mix

Dolly Parton's Favorite Southern-Style Coconut Flavored Cake Mix

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