Introduction

Maple Donut Bars offer the delightful flavor of classic maple donuts in an easy-to-make bar form. Soft, spiced, and topped with a luscious maple glaze, these bars are perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. They bring cozy fall flavors to your kitchen any time of year.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
1-2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
Extra maple syrup for drizzling (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Whisk these dry ingredients together until well mixed.
Step 3: In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, whole milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup until smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold the mixture with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. A few lumps are fine; do not overmix.
Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.
Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges are lightly golden.
Step 7: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 8: To make the glaze, combine powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth.
Step 9: Add more milk, a little at a time, until the glaze is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still pourable.
Step 10: Stir in 2 tablespoons of maple syrup for extra flavor.
Step 11: Once the bars are completely cool, place them on a serving platter or cutting board.
Step 12: Drizzle the maple glaze evenly over the bars using a spoon or small spatula.
Step 13: Optionally, drizzle extra maple syrup over the glazed bars for added sweetness and presentation.
Step 14: Allow the glaze to set for 10-15 minutes before slicing the bars into squares or rectangles.

Tips & Variations

For a nutty twist, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the glaze before it sets.
Use light or dark maple syrup depending on your preferred depth of flavor.
Substitute whole milk with buttermilk for a slightly tangier, tender crumb.
To make it dairy-free, use a plant-based milk and dairy-free butter substitute.

Storage

Store maple donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week, but allow the bars to come to room temperature before serving. Reheat gently in the microwave if desired. Glaze is best enjoyed fresh but will firm up and hold well at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the bars a day ahead and store them covered at room temperature. Add the glaze just before serving for the best texture.

Can I freeze maple donut bars?

Yes, freeze the cooled bars in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and then add the glaze before serving.

Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 82 reviews

These Maple Donut Bars are a delightful twist on traditional donuts, baked into a convenient bar form. Featuring a tender, spiced cake base infused with rich maple syrup, and topped with a sweet maple glaze, these bars offer all the comforting flavors of a maple donut in every bite. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat any time of the day.

Author: zara
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup maple syrup

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
1–2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons maple syrup
Extra maple syrup for drizzling (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Whisk these dry ingredients together until they are well mixed.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, whole milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently fold the mixture together using a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine.
Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The edges should be lightly golden.
Cool the Bars: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the donut bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare Maple Glaze: While the bars are cooling, combine powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth.
Adjust Glaze Consistency: Add more milk a little at a time until you reach a glaze consistency thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still pourable.
Add Maple Syrup to Glaze: Stir in an additional 2 tablespoons of maple syrup for extra flavor.
Glaze the Bars: Once the bars are completely cooled, place them on a serving platter or cutting board and drizzle the maple glaze generously over the top with a spoon or small spatula.
Optional Extra Drizzle: If desired, drizzle a little extra maple syrup over the glazed bars for added sweetness and presentation.
Set the Glaze: Allow the glaze to set for about 10-15 minutes before slicing the bars into squares or rectangles for serving.

Notes

For best results, do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and moist.
You can substitute whole milk with any milk alternative if desired.
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Reheat briefly before serving to enjoy the moist texture and warm maple flavors.
Feel free to sprinkle some chopped nuts or shredded coconut on top of the glaze for extra texture.

Keywords: Maple Donut Bars, maple glazed bars, baked donut bars, spiced maple bars, easy breakfast bars