Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Introduction

These soft baked maple donut bars offer a delightful twist on classic donuts with a tender, cake-like texture and rich maple flavor. Easy to make and perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, they bring cozy autumn vibes to your kitchen any time of year.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until combined.
3. Step 3: In another mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, maple syrup, milk, egg, and vanilla extract until well blended.
4. Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to ensure soft bars.
5. Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with the spatula.
6. Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Step 7: Allow the bars to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, then lift them out using the parchment overhang and let them completely cool before slicing into bars.
8. Step 8: Once cooled, cut into desired bar sizes, serve, and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar on top before baking for a crunchy finish.
• Substitute the milk with almond or oat milk for a dairy-free option.
• Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips into the batter for added texture and taste.

Storage

Store the baked bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to one week or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in the microwave to bring back softness before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use maple-flavored syrup instead of pure maple syrup?

For the best flavor, pure maple syrup is recommended as it adds authentic taste and natural sweetness. Maple-flavored syrup can be used but may alter the flavor and texture slightly.

How do I know when the bars are fully baked?

Check by inserting a toothpick into the center of the bars. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the bars are done. The edges should be golden brown and the top springy to the touch.

Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 124 reviews

These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars offer the comforting flavors of classic maple donuts in a convenient bar form. Moist, tender, and lightly spiced with cinnamon, they’re perfectly sweetened with both granulated and brown sugar, balanced by real pure maple syrup for a rich, authentic taste. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, these bars are easy to make and sure to delight donut lovers everywhere.

• Author: Amaya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 9–12 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal later. Lightly grease the parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until evenly combined.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the melted unsalted butter, pure maple syrup, milk, large egg, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
4. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently stir with a spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the bars soft and tender.
5. Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Use the spatula to spread it evenly to the edges for uniform baking.
6. Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The bars are done when the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool the Bars: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, lift them out by the parchment overhang and let them cool completely before cutting.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Once cooled, cut the maple donut bars into desired sizes. Serve fresh and enjoy the sweet, soft flavor reminiscent of classic maple donuts.

Notes

• Be sure not to overmix the batter to maintain a soft, tender texture.
• For dairy-free variation, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and use a dairy-free butter alternative.
• Ensure the bars are fully cooled before slicing to avoid crumbling.
• Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Keywords: maple donut bars, baked donut bars, soft donut bars, maple syrup dessert, cinnamon donut bars, breakfast bars, easy baked donuts