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Maple Donut Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 794 reviews

These Maple Donut Bars are a delightful twist on classic donuts, baked in a convenient bar form. Soft and fluffy with a hint of nutmeg, they are topped with a luscious maple glaze and optional crunchy toppings like chopped nuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, these bars offer all the flavor of a maple donut with easy preparation.

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

Optional Toppings

  • Chopped pecans or walnuts
  • Sprinkles
  • Crumbled bacon

Instructions

  1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg for at least 30 seconds to ensure even distribution.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted and slightly cooled butter, granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  3. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing; a few streaks of flour are acceptable.
  4. Prepare the Baking Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
  5. Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
  6. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges turn golden brown.
  7. Cool: Allow the donut bars to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Sift the Powdered Sugar: Sift the powdered sugar in a large bowl to remove lumps.
  9. Combine Glaze Ingredients: Add the maple syrup, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the sifted powdered sugar.
  10. Whisk Until Smooth: Whisk all ingredients together until the glaze is smooth and creamy. Adjust the milk or powdered sugar to achieve the desired consistency.
  11. Glaze the Donut Bars: Once the bars are completely cool, pour the maple glaze evenly over the top.
  12. Add Toppings (Optional): Immediately sprinkle with chopped nuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon if desired.
  13. Let the Glaze Set: Allow the glaze to set completely for 30 minutes to an hour before cutting.
  14. Cut and Serve: Cut the donut bars into squares or rectangles and serve.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the batter to ensure fluffy texture.
  • Make sure the melted butter is cooled before mixing to prevent cooking the eggs.
  • Use parchment paper for easier removal from the pan.
  • Adjust milk amount in glaze to make it thicker or thinner depending on preference.
  • Store leftover donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • Optional toppings like nuts or crumbled bacon add a delightful texture contrast.

Keywords: maple donut bars, baked donut bars, maple glaze, breakfast bars, easy baked donuts

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