Spotlight Bakery – Dollywood

Put a Sweet Tooth Twist on Your Dollywood Visit
Local Expert's Rating:
4.5 / 5
The Bottom Line:

There’s nothing like a sweet treat to round out a day at an amusement park, and Dollywood’s Spotlight Bakery is the perfect place to get your fix. Enjoy cookies, muffins, cinnamon rolls, and even a 25-pound apple pie to get your entire extended family’s motor running. You can also order freshly made sandwiches and various drinks to round out your snack experience.

- The SmokyMountains.com Local Expert Team

Whether you’re just stepping into the amusement park named after famous star Dolly Parton, or are about to leave after a long day of having the time of your life, sugary goodness is always welcome. Although Dollywood offers plenty of places to enjoy a sugar rush, the Spotlight Bakery is one of its finest.

The bakery has been around for decades, and in that time has developed some serious fan favorites. Nothing beats the 25-pound apple pie, though. Yes, you read that right. You can get a literal pie that weighs 25 pounds, where just one slice is enough to feed the entire family.

Other favorite offerings include giant cookies, the park’s famous cinnamon bread, and ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls. As if that’s not enough, you can also choose from turnovers, cupcakes, and Rice Krispie treats topped with frosting and sprinkles. Seasonal offerings come and go, such as frosted sugar cookies in the shape of blooms during the Flower Festival or American flag cookies for the 4th of July.

Note that all of Spotlight Bakery’s offerings are subject to change at any time, so don’t get your heart set on something unless you first call and find out whether they’re offering it at that time of year. With plenty of seasonal offerings and year-round goodies like apple pie, though, you’re sure to find something you love!

A few of our menu favorites at Spotlight Bakery include the following:

25-Pound Apple Pie
There’s just something about giant baked goods that we all love, and Spotlight Bakery’s 25-pound apple pie is no exception. If you want to take it to go, you can bring it to your next reunion and probably have leftovers to boot! This isn’t just any pie, though. The pastry is baked to flaky perfection and the apples are beautifully soft and just the right amount of sweet for any pie-loving palate.

Chicken Salad Sandwich
If you’re hungry for real food while the family picks up their goodies, try one of Spotlight’s lovely sandwiches on fresh-baked bread. The chicken salad is delicious and comes with kettle chips to satisfy that salty craving. And although menu items are subject to change without warning, Spotlight Bakery usually has a few savory goods on hand for those who are tired of sweets or with whom they don’t agree.

1/3 Pound Cookie
It might not be a 25-pound pie, but a cookie that weighs a full-third of a pound is still pretty impressive, right? These massive confections are available in a variety of flavors, from chocolate chip to oatmeal raisin to covered in sprinkles. Some of them are fully the size of a dinner plate, so plan to share with those you love … or don’t. Your call!

Location
Spotlight Bakery is located inside Dollywood on Showstreet. It is across and slightly offset from Showstreet Palace Theater, and just down the street from Showstreet Gazebo. If you prefer to take your treats and go, you can often enjoy live music at the gazebo while you get your sugar rush. Note that Spotlight Bakery is right near the entrance, so it’s a great place to pick up treats to take home.

Insider Tips:
-Although the 25-pound apple pie is definitely the showstopper, Spotlight Bakery is also known for its gooey cinnamon rolls, frosted cookies, and generous muffins. Make sure to leave room for some of the other goodies or take some fresh-baked bread home with you.
-If you’re a true baking aficionado, don’t forget to stop by The Grist Mill, also in Dollywood, where you can see bread being made right before your eyes. Try the cinnamon bread if you don’t want to miss out on a lifetime experience, but if you’re short on time, grab it at Spotlight Bakery!