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Maple Donut Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 80 reviews

These Maple Donut Bars are a delicious baked treat combining a moist cake-like base with a sweet maple glaze. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, they offer the classic flavors of donuts in a convenient bar form, topped with optional nuts, sprinkles, or bacon for added texture and flavor.

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 the melted butter (slightly cooled), granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
  3. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing; some streaks of flour are okay.
  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 release.
  5. Pour Batter into Pan: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan, smoothing the top.
  6. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean and edges are golden brown.
  7. Cool: Let the donut bars 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: Sift the powdered sugar into a large bowl to remove any lumps before making the 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 glaze ingredients until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar if necessary.
  11. Glaze the Donut Bars: Once completely cool, pour the maple glaze evenly over the bars.
  12. Add Toppings (Optional): Immediately sprinkle with nuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon as desired.
  13. Let the Glaze Set: Allow the glaze to set for 30 minutes to an hour to firm up before cutting.
  14. Cut and Serve: Cut the donut bars into squares or rectangles and serve.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and light.
  • Use parchment paper lining for easier removal and cleaner edges.
  • The glaze consistency can be adjusted to be thicker or thinner depending on preference.
  • Optional toppings add texture and flavor contrast; experiment with your favorites.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate to extend freshness.
  • For a dairy-free option, substitute butter and buttermilk with vegan alternatives.

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

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