Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Introduction

Maple donut bars are a delightful twist on classic donuts, featuring a soft, tender cake topped with a sweet maple glaze and fun toppings. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat any time of day.

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

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan to prepare for the batter.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground nutmeg. Set aside.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the granulated sugar, melted butter, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and well incorporated.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the batter light.
5. Step 5: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Step 6: While the bars bake, prepare the maple glaze by whisking powdered sugar, pure maple syrup, melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a bowl until smooth. Adjust the milk to reach desired glaze consistency.
7. Step 7: Once the bars are cool, pour the maple glaze evenly over the top. Immediately sprinkle chopped pecans, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon if desired for extra texture and flavor.
8. Step 8: Allow the glaze to set for about 15 minutes before cutting into bars and serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use full-fat buttermilk or substitute with 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice to keep the dough tender and flavorful.
• For a spiced twist, add a pinch of cinnamon or allspice to the dry ingredients.
• Try topping with toasted coconut or chopped toasted hazelnuts instead of nuts or bacon.
• If you prefer a thicker glaze, reduce milk slightly and add powdered sugar until reaching your preferred texture.

Storage

Store maple donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 5 days, letting them come to room temperature before serving. Reheat briefly in the microwave for a warm treat.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that measures cup-for-cup, but be mindful the texture may be slightly different.

What can I use instead of buttermilk?

If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

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These Maple Donut Bars are a delightful twist on classic donuts, featuring a tender, spiced cake base topped with a rich maple glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat any time of day, these bars combine the flavors of vanilla, nutmeg, and pure maple syrup with optional toppings like nuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon for extra texture and taste.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 to 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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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. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground nutmeg until evenly combined.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, melted butter, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
4. Make the Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the dough tender.
5. Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool the Bars: Allow the baked bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before applying the glaze.
7. Prepare the Maple Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, pure maple syrup, melted butter, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and enough milk to reach a pourable consistency. Adjust milk quantity as needed.
8. Glaze and Decorate: Pour the maple glaze evenly over the cooled bars. While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon on top, according to your preference.
9. Set and Serve: Let the glaze set for about 15-20 minutes at room temperature before cutting into bars and serving. Enjoy your delicious maple donut bars!

Notes

• You can substitute buttermilk with a mixture of milk and lemon juice or vinegar if needed.
• For a dairy-free option, use plant-based milk and butter substitutes.
• Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
• Add chopped nuts or bacon for extra texture and flavor if desired.
• Adjust the thickness of the glaze by adding milk gradually; it should be smooth and pourable but not too runny.

Keywords: Maple donut bars, maple glaze, baked donut bars, nutmeg donut bars, maple syrup dessert, breakfast bars, spiced cake bars, glazed donut bars