Why Make This Recipe
Maple Donut Bars are a delightful treat that brings the warm, sweet flavor of maple into your kitchen. These bars are easy to make, and they offer a unique twist on traditional donuts. Instead of deep-frying, you get to bake them, making them a healthier option without sacrificing taste. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, these donut bars are sure to please everyone.
How to Make Maple Donut Bars
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
- 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
- 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
- Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
- Crumbled bacon (optional)
Directions
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. Whisk for at least 30 seconds to ensure even distribution.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. Make sure the melted butter is slightly cooled before mixing. Whisk until smooth.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are okay.
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.
Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges are golden brown.
Cool: Let the donut bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Sift the Powdered Sugar: In a large bowl, sift the powdered sugar to remove any lumps.
Combine Glaze Ingredients: Add the maple syrup, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt to the sifted powdered sugar.
Whisk Until Smooth: Whisk all ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Adjust milk or powdered sugar for your desired consistency.
Glaze the Donut Bars: Once the donut bars are completely cool, pour the maple glaze evenly over the top.
Add Toppings (Optional): Immediately sprinkle with your desired toppings.
Let the Glaze Set: Allow the glaze to set completely for 30 minutes to an hour before cutting and serving.
Cut and Serve: Cut the donut bars into squares or rectangles and serve.
How to Serve Maple Donut Bars
Serve these delicious donut bars with a hot cup of coffee or tea. You can also enjoy them as a sweet treat after a meal. They make a fantastic breakfast option or snack for the kids after school.
How to Store Maple Donut Bars
Store any leftover donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. Just make sure to let them come to room temperature before serving.
Tips to Make Maple Donut Bars
- Make sure to measure your flour correctly; spoon it into the measuring cup and level it with a knife for accuracy.
- Don’t overmix your batter; mix just until combined for a lighter texture.
- Keep an eye on the baking time; ovens can vary, so check for doneness a few minutes before the suggested time.
Variation
For a twist, you can add chocolate chips to the batter or incorporate different spices like cinnamon for added flavor. Feel free to experiment with toppings like different nuts or a drizzle of chocolate.
FAQs
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour, but the texture may be denser.
Can I freeze these donut bars?
Absolutely! Wrap them well in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. They can be frozen for up to three months.
What if I don’t have buttermilk?
You can easily make your own buttermilk by mixing 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar with 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before using.
Maple Donut Bars: The Ultimate Guide to Baking Delicious Treats
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
Description
Maple Donut Bars are a warm, baked twist on traditional donuts, topped with a sweet maple glaze and perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert.
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
- 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
- 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
- Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
- Crumbled bacon (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until a skewer inserted comes out clean and edges are golden brown.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Sift the powdered sugar into a large bowl.
- Add maple syrup, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk until smooth.
- Adjust glaze consistency with more milk or sugar if needed.
- Pour glaze over the cooled bars evenly.
- Immediately sprinkle with toppings if desired.
- Let glaze set for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Cut into squares or rectangles and serve.
Notes
Measure flour accurately and avoid overmixing for the best texture. Bars can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: maple donut bars, baked donuts, maple glaze, easy donuts, breakfast bars