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Maple Donut Bars Recipe

4.7 from 692 reviews

Delight in these soft and moist Maple Donut Bars, baked to perfection and topped with a luscious maple glaze. With a hint of nutmeg in the batter and customizable toppings like chopped nuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon, these bars offer the perfect balance of sweetness and texture, making them a delicious treat for breakfast or dessert.

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 even distribution.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Ensure the butter is slightly cooled to prevent cooking the eggs.
  3. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing; some streaks of flour are acceptable.
  4. Prepare 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 it out smoothly.
  6. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges turn a golden brown.
  7. Cool: Let the donut bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Sift Powdered Sugar: Sift the powdered sugar in a large bowl to remove lumps, creating a smooth base for the glaze.
  9. Combine Glaze Ingredients: Add maple syrup, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the sifted powdered sugar.
  10. Whisk Until Smooth: Whisk the glaze ingredients until creamy and smooth, adding more milk or powdered sugar to reach the desired consistency.
  11. Glaze the Donut Bars: Once bars are completely cool, pour the maple glaze evenly over the top.
  12. Add Toppings (Optional): Immediately sprinkle chopped pecans, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon over the glaze as desired.
  13. Let the Glaze Set: Allow the glaze to set completely for 30 minutes to an hour before cutting.
  14. Cut and Serve: Cut into squares or rectangles and serve your delicious maple donut bars.

Notes

  • Ensure the melted butter is cooled slightly before mixing to avoid cooking the eggs.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and light.
  • You can substitute whole milk for buttermilk to make a milder flavor.
  • Customize your toppings to suit your taste – nuts, sprinkles, or even savory bacon work great.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • Reheat briefly in the microwave for a freshly baked feel.

Keywords: maple donut bars, baked donut bars, maple glazed bars, breakfast bars, easy dessert recipe, nutmeg donut bars