Print

Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 92 reviews

These Maple Donut Bars combine a soft, fluffy cake-like texture with a luscious maple glaze, creating a delightful treat perfect for breakfast or dessert. Topped with optional crunchy nuts, colorful sprinkles, or savory crumbled bacon, these bars offer a perfect balance of sweet and flavorful elements to satisfy any craving.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Optional Toppings

  • Chopped pecans or walnuts
  • Sprinkles
  • Crumbled bacon

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 everything is evenly mixed.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted and slightly cooled butter, granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
  3. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Do not overmix; a few streaks of flour remaining are fine.
  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 pan and spread smooth using a spatula.
  6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges turn golden brown.
  7. Cool: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Sift the Powdered Sugar: Sift the powdered sugar into a large mixing bowl to remove any lumps for a smooth glaze.
  9. Combine Glaze Ingredients: Add the maple syrup, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the sifted powdered sugar.
  10. Whisk Until Smooth: Whisk all the glaze ingredients until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency. Adjust the thickness by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
  11. Glaze the Donut Bars: Once the bars are completely cooled, pour the maple glaze over the top evenly.
  12. Add Toppings (Optional): Immediately sprinkle with chopped pecans, walnuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon to add texture and flavor.
  13. Let the Glaze Set: Allow the glaze to set for 30 minutes to an hour before cutting to prevent smudging and ensure clean slices.
  14. Cut and Serve: Cut the donut bars into squares or rectangles and serve to enjoy a delicious maple-flavored treat.

Notes

  • Ensure the melted butter is slightly cooled before mixing with eggs to prevent cooking them.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and light.
  • Use parchment paper for easier removal and cleaner edges.
  • Adjust glaze consistency by adding milk or powdered sugar to your preference.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.

Keywords: maple donut bars, maple glaze, easy dessert bars, homemade donut bars, baked donut bars, breakfast bars, sweet glaze bars

Find it online: https://tastybynova.com/maple-donut-bars-recipe/