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Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Maple Donut Bars Recipe

5 from 30 reviews

Delight in these moist and fluffy Maple Donut Bars topped with a luscious maple glaze and optional crunchy or sweet toppings. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, these bars combine classic donut flavors in an easy-to-make sheet pan treat that everyone will love.

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 thoroughly for at least 30 seconds to ensure even distribution.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter (cooled slightly), granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
  3. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing; some flour streaks are fine.
  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 and spread it out smoothly with a spatula.
  6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges have a golden brown color.
  7. Cool: Let the donut bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
  8. Sift the Powdered Sugar: Sift the powdered sugar into a large mixing bowl to remove any 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: Stir the glaze ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
  11. Glaze the Donut Bars: Once the bars are fully cooled, pour the maple glaze evenly over the top.
  12. Add Toppings (Optional): Immediately after glazing, sprinkle your choice of chopped nuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon for extra texture and flavor.
  13. Let the Glaze Set: Allow the glaze to set completely, about 30 minutes to 1 hour, before cutting.
  14. Cut and Serve: Slice into squares or rectangles and serve your delicious maple donut bars fresh.

Notes

  • You can substitute regular milk with almond or oat milk for a dairy-free glaze option.
  • Ensure the melted butter is cooled before mixing with eggs to avoid scrambling.
  • Do not overmix the batter; overmixing can make the bars tough.
  • Store glazed bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • Feel free to customize toppings to your taste, such as coconut flakes or chocolate chips.

Nutrition

Keywords: maple donut bars, maple glaze bars, easy donut bars recipe, sheet pan donuts, breakfast bars, sweet snack bars