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Maple Donut Bars

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★★★★★

5 from 147 reviews

These Maple Donut Bars offer a delightful twist on classic donuts, baked into soft, tender bars with a rich maple glaze. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, these bars combine warm spices, buttermilk richness, and a glossy maple frosting topped with your favorite nuts, sprinkles, or even crumbled bacon for an irresistible treat.

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 flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg for at least 30 seconds to ensure an even distribution of all dry components.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the melted and slightly cooled butter with granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
  3. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing; it’s okay if some flour streaks remain.
  4. Prepare the Baking Pan: Preheat the 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 smooth the surface with a spatula.
  6. Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes 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 them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Sift the Powdered Sugar: To prepare the glaze, sift the powdered sugar into a large bowl to remove any lumps for a smooth texture.
  9. Combine Glaze Ingredients: Add the pure 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 together until smooth and creamy, adjusting milk or powdered sugar to achieve the desired consistency.
  11. Glaze the Donut Bars: Once the donut bars are completely cool, pour the maple glaze evenly over the top to coat the surface.
  12. Add Toppings (Optional): Immediately sprinkle with chopped pecans, walnuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon as desired.
  13. Let the Glaze Set: Allow the glaze to set completely, typically about 30 minutes to an hour, before cutting.
  14. Cut and Serve: Slice the donut bars into squares or rectangles and serve fresh.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the donut bars tender and soft.
  • You can substitute regular milk or cream for buttermilk with 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice added as a buttermilk replacement.
  • For a dairy-free version, use butter substitutes and non-dairy milk options.
  • Glaze consistency can be adjusted by adding more milk for thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze.
  • Optional toppings add texture and flavor contrast—try toasted nuts or savory bacon for a unique twist.
  • Store leftover donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Keywords: Maple Donut Bars, baked donut bars, maple glazed donuts, breakfast bars, sweet snack, maple syrup glaze

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