Dollywood’s New Restaurant Has a Cinnamon Bread Like You’ve Never Seen Before

Carly Caramanna
·4 min read
2

And we got the recipe.

<p>Carly Caramanna</p>

Carly Caramanna

Disney has Dole Whip and Universal Studios has Butterbeer—but Dollywood has an iconic eat all its own: cinnamon bread. And it very well may be just as famous as the theme park’s dreamer-in-chief, Dolly Parton. It’s so beloved, in fact, that it’s spawned its very own merchandise line.

Parton’s Tennessee amusement park is renowned for its pioneering attractions, standout live entertainment, and inventive cuisine—all served with a heaping dollop of Southern hospitality. Although few can resist its award-winning pulled pork sandwiches and apple pie, nothing draws the crowds like its world-famous cinnamon bread.

As guests meander their way through the park’s Craftsman's Valley, they’ll notice two things: a long line of hungry hopefuls and an absolutely intoxicating aroma emanating from the Grist Mill, the original home of this beloved theme park treat. The ultimate temptation for the taste buds, Dollywood now sells more than 210,000 loaves of cinnamon bread every year.

Dollywood's New Restaurant Ember & Elm

While the park is open seasonally, the good news is that you can get the famous bread year-round at Dollywood’s two on-site resorts, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa and the brand new Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort—no theme park admission required. And the chefs at new hotspot Ember & Elm, HeartSong’s flagship restaurant, have decided to up the ante with a twist on this famous bite.

Just off the rustic chic resort’s lobby, Ember & Elm is a welcoming space, with Southern-inspired accents and a menu representative of the region and its abundant offerings. While open for breakfast and lunch, it’s one of the morning options that has caught the attention of visitors hoping to pour themselves a cup of ambition before exploring the nearby attractions: cinnamon bread French toast casserole.

I Tried the New Dollywood Cinnamon Bread French Toast Casserole

As a theme park journalist, I’ve been visiting Dollywood regularly for more than a decade—and partaking in all of its scrumptious bites with vigor. And after I learned of this dish, I ventured to Pigeon Forge to try it for myself and discover if they could possibly one up themselves. And my jaw nearly dropped at the sight of the personal sized cast iron skillet arriving at my table.

<p>Carly Caramanna</p>

Carly Caramanna

The cinnamon bread had been soaked in milk custard, amplifying the already drool-worthy flavors. In the cooking process, the edges of the cubed cinnamon bread reached a caramelized form while maintaining a super soft, almost pillowy interior. It’s sinfully sweet, rich, and while the serving size is for one, it’s more than enough to share—or not.

I learned that its perfect texture was achieved by using day-old cinnamon bread—a standard of making any variety of French toast—as it soaks up the creamy custard better than a fresh loaf. And Dollywood is sharing with us exactly how to make this delicious creation that’s sure to be a new Smoky Mountains favorite for years to come.

How to Make the Official Dollywood Cinnamon Bread French Toast Casserole

Ingredients

  • 1 day old loaf of Dollywood’s famous cinnamon bread

  • 1 cup half & half

  • 1 large egg

  • ½ cup granulated sugar

  • 3/4 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract, divided

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

  • ¼ cup soft unsalted butter, softened, plus 1 tablespoon

  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

  2. Cut cinnamon bread into large chunks, reserve the caramel for late.

  3. Whisk half & half, egg, granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla paste (or extract), and cinnamon in a large bowl until well incorporated.

  4. Mix 1/4 cup butter, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon vanilla paste (or extract), and powdered sugar until well incorporated. Reserve for serving.

  5. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoons butter in a large cast-iron skillet on medium-high heat until melted.

  6. Add the cinnamon bread pieces to the custard mixture and mix until coated (do not over saturate).

  7. Place the the soaked bread pieces in the heated skillet, cook on one side until golden then flip and continue cooking until golden.

  8. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and drizzle the reserved caramel.

  9. Serve topped with a dollop of the vanilla butter and dust with powdered sugar.

Read the original article on All Recipes.