Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Introduction

Maple Donut Bars are an irresistibly soft and flavorful treat, perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. With warm spices and a rich maple glaze, these bars capture the essence of classic donuts in an easy-to-make baked form.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
• 1-2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
• Extra maple syrup for drizzling (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Whisk these dry ingredients together until well mixed.
3. Step 3: In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, whole milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
4. Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently fold the mixture with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined; some lumps are okay.
5. Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
6. Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges turn lightly golden.
7. Step 7: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Step 8: To prepare the maple glaze, combine the powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth.
9. Step 9: Add more milk gradually until the glaze reaches a thick but pourable consistency.
10. Step 10: Stir in 2 tablespoons of maple syrup for extra flavor.
11. Step 11: Once the bars are completely cooled, place them on a serving platter or cutting board.
12. Step 12: Drizzle the maple glaze evenly over the top using a spoon or small spatula.
13. Step 13: For extra sweetness and presentation, drizzle additional maple syrup over the glazed bars if desired.
14. Step 14: Allow the glaze to set for 10-15 minutes before slicing the bars into squares or rectangles.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer flavor, substitute whole milk with buttermilk or add a touch of melted cream cheese to the batter.
• Try adding chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for a crunchy texture.
• If you prefer a thicker glaze, use less milk and increase powdered sugar slightly.
• Use pure maple syrup for the most authentic and deep maple flavor.

Storage

Store the maple donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week. Reheat gently in a microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore softness. The glaze may soften when refrigerated but will firm up again at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use maple-flavored syrup instead of pure maple syrup?

While you can use maple-flavored syrup, pure maple syrup offers a richer and more natural flavor that enhances the overall taste of the bars.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum or another binding agent for best results.

Maple Donut Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 51 reviews

• Author: Lily
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x

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Description

These homemade Maple Donut Bars offer a delightful combination of soft, cake-like texture and a rich maple glaze finish. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, these bars blend warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg with real maple syrup, baked to golden perfection and topped with a smooth, sweet maple glaze.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup maple syrup

Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup (for glaze)

Optional

• Extra maple syrup for drizzling

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by greasing it with non-stick spray or lining it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Whisk thoroughly until these dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter, whole milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup together until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently fold the mixture with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Avoid overmixing; a few lumps are acceptable.
5. Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, spreading the surface smoothly with a spatula.
6. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges appear lightly golden.
7. Cool Bars: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the donut bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Prepare Maple Glaze: While the bars cool, mix powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth and thick but pourable. Add additional milk as needed to achieve the right consistency.
9. Add Maple Syrup to Glaze: Stir in 2 tablespoons of maple syrup into the glaze for added maple flavor.
10. Glaze Donut Bars: Once the bars are completely cooled, place them on a serving platter. Drizzle the maple glaze generously across the top using a spoon or small spatula to evenly cover the bars.
11. Optional Extra Drizzle: For extra sweetness and decoration, drizzle additional maple syrup over the glazed bars.
12. Set Glaze and Serve: Allow the glaze to set for 10-15 minutes before slicing the bars into squares or rectangles and serving.

Notes

• Do not overmix the batter to avoid tough bars; some lumps are fine.
• Using parchment paper makes removing bars easier and cleaner.
• Adjust glaze thickness by varying the amount of milk added.
• Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• For a dairy-free option, substitute whole milk and butter with plant-based alternatives.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: maple donut bars, maple glaze, baked donut bars, maple syrup dessert, easy breakfast bars, spiced donut bars