Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Introduction

Maple Donut Bars offer a delightful twist on classic donuts with a soft, cake-like texture and a rich maple glaze. Perfect for breakfast, snack time, or dessert, these bars combine warm spices and sweet maple for a comforting treat you can easily make at home.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
• 1-2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
• Extra maple syrup for drizzling (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk together until well mixed.
3. Step 3: In another bowl, whisk the melted butter, whole milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup until smooth and combined.
4. Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold together with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Some lumps are okay—avoid overmixing.
5. Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
6. Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges are lightly golden.
7. Step 7: Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Step 8: To make the glaze, combine powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon milk in a bowl. Whisk until smooth.
9. Step 9: Add more milk, a little at a time, until the glaze is thick but pourable.
10. Step 10: Stir in 2 tablespoons maple syrup for extra flavor.
11. Step 11: Once the bars are cooled, place them on a serving platter.
12. Step 12: Drizzle the maple glaze evenly over the bars using a spoon or small spatula.
13. Step 13: Optionally, drizzle extra maple syrup on top for added sweetness and presentation.
14. Step 14: Allow the glaze to set for 10-15 minutes before slicing into squares or rectangles.

Tips & Variations

• For a nuttier flavor, try adding chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter before baking.
• If you prefer a vegan version, substitute milk and eggs with plant-based alternatives and use coconut oil instead of butter.
• Experiment with spices by adding a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom for a warm twist.

Storage

Store the maple donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat gently in the microwave to soften before serving. The glaze may soften when refrigerated but will still taste delicious.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pure maple syrup instead of flavored syrup?

Yes, pure maple syrup is ideal for this recipe as it provides an authentic, rich maple flavor that complements the donut bars perfectly.

How can I make the glaze thicker or thinner?

Adjust the milk quantity when mixing the glaze. Use less milk for a thicker glaze and more for a thinner, drizzle-friendly consistency.

Maple Donut Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 78 reviews

• Author: Olivia
• Total Time: 40-45 minutes
• Yield: 12–16 bars 1x

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Description

These Maple Donut Bars combine the classic flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg with a rich maple syrup glaze, creating a moist, tender treat perfect for breakfast or dessert. Baked to golden perfection with a sweet maple drizzle, these bars are easy to make and sure to please any sweet tooth.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup maple syrup

Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup (for glaze)
• Extra maple syrup for drizzling (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until well combined.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the melted butter, whole milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
4. Mix Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients bowl. Gently fold the mixture with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined; do not overmix to keep the batter light and fluffy.
5. Prepare for Baking: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly using a spatula.
6. Bake Bars: Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and edges are lightly golden.
7. Cool Bars: Remove from oven and let bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Make Maple Glaze: While bars cool, mix powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon milk in a medium bowl until smooth. Add more milk gradually to achieve a thick but pourable consistency.
9. Add Maple Flavor: Stir in 2 tablespoons maple syrup into the glaze for extra flavor.
10. Glaze Bars: Once bars are completely cooled, place them on a serving platter. Drizzle the maple glaze evenly over the top using a spoon or small spatula.
11. Optional Drizzle: For added sweetness and presentation, drizzle a little extra maple syrup over the glazed bars.
12. Set Glaze: Allow glaze to set for 10-15 minutes before slicing the bars into squares or rectangles for serving.

Notes

• Do not overmix the batter to keep the donut bars tender and light.
• Feel free to use low-fat milk as a substitute for whole milk if desired.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use a dairy-free milk.
• Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
• Reheat gently before serving to refresh the soft texture.
• Use pure maple syrup for best flavor in both the batter and glaze.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Maple Donut Bars, maple glazed bars, breakfast bars, cinnamon nutmeg baked goods, sweet breakfast treat