Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Introduction

Maple Donut Bars are a delightful treat that blend the soft texture of cake with the rich flavor of maple glaze. Easy to make and perfect for snack time or brunch, these bars bring a cozy sweetness that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup milk (or more, as needed)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• Sprinkles (optional)
• Crumbled bacon (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg for at least 30 seconds to ensure even distribution.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter, sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Make sure the butter is slightly cooled before mixing.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. It’s okay if a few flour streaks remain; avoid overmixing.
4. Step 4: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
5. Step 5: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and spread it out.
6. Step 6: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges turn golden brown.
7. Step 7: Allow the donut bars to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Step 8: Sift the powdered sugar into a large bowl to remove lumps.
9. Step 9: Add the maple syrup, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt to the powdered sugar.
10. Step 10: Whisk all glaze ingredients until smooth and creamy. Adjust the milk or powdered sugar to achieve your desired consistency.
11. Step 11: Once the bars are completely cool, pour the maple glaze evenly over the top.
12. Step 12: Immediately sprinkle with optional toppings like chopped nuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon if desired.
13. Step 13: Let the glaze set for 30 minutes to an hour before cutting.
14. Step 14: Cut into squares or rectangles and serve.

Tips & Variations

• Use buttermilk or substitute with regular milk plus a teaspoon of lemon juice for a tender crumb.
• For a richer flavor, try using browned butter instead of melted butter.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon to the dry ingredients for a warm spice note.
• Top with chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture and flavor.
• If you prefer a thinner glaze, add a little more milk one teaspoon at a time.

Storage

Store the maple donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to a week or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in the microwave until warm, then let the glaze soften before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, you can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using to mimic the acidity of buttermilk.

How do I make sure my glaze isn’t too runny?

If your glaze is too thin, add powdered sugar little by little until it thickens to a spreadable consistency. If it’s too thick, add milk sparingly to loosen it up.

Maple Donut Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 83 reviews

• Author: Lily
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12–16 bars 1x

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Description

These Maple Donut Bars are a delicious twist on classic donuts baked in a rectangular pan for easy serving. Soft and moist with a tender crumb, they feature a warm blend of nutmeg and vanilla in the batter, baked to golden perfection. Finished with a shiny, sweet maple glaze and optional toppings like chopped nuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon, these bars are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Maple Glaze

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup milk (or more, as needed)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Toppings (Optional)

• Chopped pecans or walnuts
• Sprinkles
• Crumbled bacon

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Instructions

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg for at least 30 seconds to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents and spices.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter (slightly cooled), granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
3. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing; some streaks of flour remaining are acceptable to keep the batter tender.
4. Prepare the Baking Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
5. Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top so it’s level.
6. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges turn golden brown.
7. Cool: Allow the donut bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
8. Sift the Powdered Sugar: To make the glaze, sift the powdered sugar into a large bowl to remove any lumps and ensure a smooth glaze.
9. Combine Glaze Ingredients: Add the maple syrup, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the powdered sugar.
10. Whisk Until Smooth: Whisk all glaze ingredients together until creamy and smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if too thick, or more powdered sugar if too thin.
11. Glaze the Donut Bars: Once the donut bars are completely cooled, pour the maple glaze evenly over the top.
12. Add Toppings (Optional): Immediately sprinkle your choice of toppings such as chopped pecans, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon over the glaze.
13. Let the Glaze Set: Allow the glaze to set at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour until firm enough to cut.
14. Cut and Serve: Cut the bars into squares or rectangles and serve them as a sweet breakfast treat or dessert.

Notes

• Make sure the melted butter for the wet ingredients is not too hot to prevent cooking the eggs when mixed.
• Buttermilk can be substituted with regular milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar for acidity.
• Adjust the glaze thickness by adding milk or powdered sugar gradually for desired consistency.
• Optional toppings add texture and flavor variation but can be omitted for a classic glaze finish.
• Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: maple donut bars, baked donut bars, maple glaze dessert, breakfast bars, easy baked donuts