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Maple Donut Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 69 reviews

These Maple Donut Bars are a delightful twist on classic baked treats, featuring a moist, tender crumb infused with warm spices and a luscious maple glaze. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or any sweet craving, they combine the comforting flavors of a donut with the ease of baking in a pan.

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

Toppings (Optional)

  • Chopped pecans or walnuts
  • Sprinkles
  • Crumbled bacon

Instructions

  1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground nutmeg for at least 30 seconds to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter with granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth and homogenous.
  3. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. A few streaks of flour are fine; avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
  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 to prevent sticking.
  5. Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and spread it out to the edges using a spatula.
  6. Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges turn golden brown.
  7. Cool: Allow the donut bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which is crucial for the glaze to adhere properly.
  8. Sift the Powdered Sugar: To prepare the glaze, sift the powdered sugar into a large bowl to eliminate lumps for a smooth finish.
  9. Combine Glaze Ingredients: Add the pure maple syrup, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the powdered sugar.
  10. Whisk Until Smooth: Whisk all glaze ingredients together until creamy and smooth. Adjust with additional milk or powdered sugar to achieve your preferred consistency.
  11. Glaze the Donut Bars: Once the bars are completely cooled, pour the maple glaze evenly over the top, using a spatula to spread if needed.
  12. Add Toppings (Optional): Immediately sprinkle your choice of chopped nuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon over the glaze to add texture and extra flavor.
  13. Let the Glaze Set: Allow the glaze to set for at least 30 minutes to an hour before slicing to ensure clean cuts and intact topping.
  14. Cut and Serve: Finally, cut the donut bars into squares or rectangles and serve. Enjoy this sweet, maple-flavored treat!

Notes

  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the donut bars light and tender.
  • Cool the bars completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
  • Adjust the milk in the glaze to get a thicker or thinner consistency depending on preference.
  • Optional toppings add flavor and texture but can be omitted for a classic maple glazed bar.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Keywords: maple donut bars, baked donut bars, maple glazed bars, easy dessert bars, breakfast treats, homemade donut bars

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