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Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Maple Donut Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 13 reviews

Experience the comforting blend of soft, fluffy donut texture with the rich, sweet flavor of maple in these homemade Maple Donut Bars. Perfectly tender with a light yeasty note, topped with a luscious maple glaze, these bars bring a nostalgic autumn flavor right to your kitchen. Easy to bake and customizable with optional toppings like chopped nuts or sprinkles, they make an irresistible treat for breakfast, dessert, or anytime indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Donut Bars:

  • 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
  • 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

For the 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 (because why not?)

Instructions

  1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground nutmeg thoroughly for at least 30 seconds to ensure even distribution, which allows the donut bars to rise consistently and develop balanced flavor.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter with granulated sugar, then add eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. Whisk everything until smooth and well combined, making sure the butter is not too hot to prevent cooking the eggs prematurely.
  3. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry bowl, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent developing gluten which can make the donut bars tough. It’s okay if a few flour streaks remain; gently fold to incorporate them fully.
  4. Prepare the Baking Pan: Lightly dust or grease a rectangular baking pan (approximately 9×13 inches) and pour in the prepared batter, spreading it evenly to the edges for uniform thickness.
  5. Bake the Donut Bars: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the batter for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the surface is lightly golden.
  6. Cool the Donut Bars: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan placed on a wire rack before applying the glaze.
  7. Prepare the Maple Glaze: In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, pure maple syrup, melted butter, vanilla extract, pinch of salt, and milk. Mix until smooth and pourable. Add more milk if the glaze is too thick to spread easily.
  8. Glaze the Bars: Pour the maple glaze evenly over the cooled donut bars, spreading gently with a spatula if needed to cover the surface.
  9. Add Optional Toppings: Sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon atop the glaze for added texture and flavor if desired.
  10. Set and Serve: Allow the glaze to set for about 20 minutes before slicing into bars and serving. Enjoy your homemade maple donut bars fresh for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • To keep the bars soft, do not overmix the batter.
  • Make sure the melted butter is cooled before adding to the eggs to avoid cooking them.
  • You can substitute milk with a non-dairy alternative for a dairy-free version.
  • Store the donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • The glaze thickness can be adjusted by adding more milk or powdered sugar to your preferred consistency.
  • Adding a pinch of salt to the glaze balances the sweetness.
  • For a boozy twist, add a tablespoon of bourbon or rum to the glaze.

Nutrition

Keywords: maple donut bars, homemade donut bars, maple glaze dessert, baked donuts, fall dessert, easy snack recipe

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