Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars Recipe
These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars offer a delightful twist on classic donuts with a soft, tender crumb infused with warm cinnamon and rich maple syrup. Perfectly moist and lightly sweetened, they are an easy-to-make treat ideal for breakfast or dessert. Adaptable for gluten-free and vegan diets, these bars promise a comforting, maple-flavored indulgence with a simple preparation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 to 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 to 45 minutes
- Yield: 9 to 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (or plant-based butter for vegan version)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (or 2 flax eggs for vegan version)
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk (or almond milk for vegan version)
Instructions
- Prep Your Pan and Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a square baking pan or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creaming process is essential for creating the bar’s soft texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract and pure maple syrup. Gradually add the milk, stirring gently until the batter is smooth. Be careful not to overmix to maintain tenderness.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Slowly fold the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined. Overmixing can develop gluten, which will make the bars dense rather than soft.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the baked bars to cool completely before cutting into squares to maintain their soft texture.
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water per egg) and use plant-based butter and almond milk.
- To make the bars gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars light and tender.
- Allow bars to cool fully before slicing to prevent crumbling.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Keywords: maple donut bars, soft baked donuts, maple syrup dessert, gluten free donut recipe, vegan donut bars, cinnamon donut bars, breakfast bars
