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Maple Donut Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 123 reviews

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.

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. 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

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