Print

Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars 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.

Ingredients

Scale

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