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Maple Donut Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 139 reviews

These Maple Donut Bars are a delightful twist on traditional donuts, featuring a moist, tender cake base infused with warm spices and topped with a luscious homemade maple glaze. Finished with optional toppings like chopped nuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon, they make a perfect treat for breakfast or dessert.

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. Whisk for at least 30 seconds to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Make sure the melted butter is slightly cooled to prevent cooking the eggs.
  3. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; some streaks of flour are okay.
  4. 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 for easy removal.
  5. Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan, spreading it out with a spatula to ensure uniform thickness.
  6. Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges turn a golden brown.
  7. Cool: Allow the donut bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, which is essential before adding the glaze.
  8. Sift the Powdered Sugar: In a large bowl, sift the powdered sugar to eliminate any lumps and ensure a smooth glaze.
  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 glaze ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar if needed.
  11. Glaze the Donut Bars: Once the bars are completely cooled, pour the maple glaze evenly over the top, spreading it gently with a spatula if necessary.
  12. Add Toppings (Optional): Immediately sprinkle your choice of toppings such as chopped pecans, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon while the glaze is still wet.
  13. Let the Glaze Set: Allow the glaze to set completely at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour before slicing.
  14. Cut and Serve: Cut the donut bars into squares or rectangles and serve fresh. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Make sure the melted butter is cooled before mixing with eggs to avoid scrambling.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender.
  • Use parchment paper for easier removal and cleaner edges.
  • Adjust glaze consistency with milk or powdered sugar depending on your desired thickness.
  • Optional toppings add texture and flavor; try different combinations for variety.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Keywords: maple donut bars, baked donut bars, maple glaze, homemade donut bars, spiced donut bars

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