Dessert

Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars Recipe

ByLily Cross October 21, 2025October 21, 2025

Introduction

These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars are a delightful treat that combines the flavors of a classic maple donut with a tender, cake-like texture. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, they are easy to make and topped with a simple maple glaze.

A white plate with intricate dark patterns holds six rectangular glazed brown cake bars, each with a smooth, light beige icing layer on top. The cake bars are thick and soft-looking, with the icing evenly covering the surface, slightly shiny. In the background, there is a white marbled texture surface with more cake bars on a black wire rack, a white cup filled with a warm drink, and part of a white teapot visible. The overall scene shows a cozy setting with warm brown and cream tones. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup milk (whole or non-dairy)
1/4 cup melted butter (cooled)
For glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar
For glaze: 2 tbsp milk

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, maple syrup, milk, and melted butter together until smooth.
Step 4: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined; avoid overmixing.
Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly with a spatula.
Step 6: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. Mix powdered sugar with milk to make the glaze and drizzle it over the cooled bars.

Tips & Variations

For a dairy-free version, use non-dairy milk and substitute butter with coconut oil.
Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the batter for extra texture and flavor.
Use pure maple syrup for the best flavor; avoid maple-flavored syrups.
Don’t overmix the batter to keep the bars soft and tender.

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 or oven before serving to refresh their softness.

How to Serve

The image shows six rectangular cake slices with a smooth, light brown glaze on top arranged closely on a white plate with a blue floral pattern. Each cake slice has two layers: a dense, golden-brown bottom layer and a thick, glossy, caramel-colored icing layer evenly covering the top. The plate sits on a wooden table, and in the background, there is a white teapot with matching cups and a wire rack holding more of the same cake slices. The scene is softly lit, highlighting the shiny glaze and the moist texture of the cakes. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of flour?

All-purpose flour works best for the texture, but you can substitute with a gluten-free flour blend if you prefer. Adjust baking time slightly and check doneness with a toothpick.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The bars are ready when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.