Introduction

Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars are a delightful treat that combines the comforting flavors of maple and cinnamon in a tender, cake-like bar. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, these bars are easy to make and topped with a smooth maple glaze.

Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 cup Granulated Sugar
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
2 large Eggs
1/2 cup Pure Maple Syrup
1/2 cup Milk
1/4 cup Butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 cup Powdered Sugar
2 tbsp Milk (for glaze)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, whisk melted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, milk, and maple syrup until well combined.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
Step 5: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan, spreading it to the corners.
Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool the bars in the pan on a wire rack for 15-20 minutes, then lift them out using the parchment overhang. Allow to cool completely (1-2 hours) before glazing.
Step 8: Prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth and lump-free. Adjust consistency as needed to be pourable but not runny.
Step 9: Place the cooled bars on a wire rack over parchment paper or foil to catch drips. Pour and spread the glaze evenly over the top.
Step 10: If desired, add sprinkles, chopped nuts, or a light dusting of cinnamon sugar on the glaze while it’s still wet.
Step 11: Let the glazed bars set undisturbed for at least 30 minutes until the glaze is no longer sticky.
Step 12: Transfer bars to a cutting board and slice into individual bars with a sharp knife. Wipe the knife clean between cuts for neat slices. Serve and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the wet ingredients for a richer taste.
Use almond milk or another dairy-free milk to make the recipe vegan (replace eggs with flax eggs).
Top with chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch and texture.

Storage

Store the donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to one week. To reheat, warm individual bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pancake syrup instead of pure maple syrup?

Pure maple syrup is best for authentic flavor, but you can substitute pancake syrup if needed. Keep in mind the taste will be slightly different, and it may affect the texture.

How can I make these bars gluten-free?

Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour, making sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder for structure. Baking time may vary slightly.

Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars Recipe

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Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars are a delightful treat combining the comforting flavors of cinnamon and pure maple syrup with a tender, cake-like texture. These bars are perfect for breakfast or snack time, baked to a golden finish and topped with a smooth powdered sugar glaze for an extra touch of sweetness.

Author: zara
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 cup Granulated Sugar
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

2 large Eggs
1/2 cup Pure Maple Syrup
1/2 cup Milk
1/4 cup Butter, melted and slightly cooled

Glaze

1 cup Powdered Sugar
2 tbsp Milk

Instructions

Prepare Pan and Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal of the bars after baking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until evenly combined. Set aside.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine melted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, milk, and pure maple syrup. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Take care not to overmix to maintain a tender texture for the bars.
Fill the Pan: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan and spread it out to the edges and corners for even baking.
Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden and a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool Bars: Remove from oven and cool the bars in the pan on a wire rack for 15-20 minutes. Then use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and allow them to cool completely on the rack for 1-2 hours before applying the glaze.
Prepare Glaze: While the bars cool, whisk together powdered sugar and milk in a medium bowl until smooth and free of lumps. Adjust the consistency as needed by adding a bit more milk if too thick or powdered sugar if too thin, aiming for a pourable yet slightly thick glaze.
Glaze the Bars: Place the cooled bars on a wire rack over parchment paper or foil to catch drips. Pour and spread the glaze evenly over the top of the bars to fully cover them.
Add Toppings: If desired, immediately sprinkle toppings such as sprinkles, finely chopped pecans or walnuts, or a light dusting of cinnamon sugar while the glaze is still tacky and wet.
Set the Glaze: Let the glazed bars rest undisturbed on the wire rack for at least 30 minutes, allowing the glaze to set fully and become non-sticky to the touch.
Slice and Serve: Transfer the bars to a cutting board and use a very sharp knife to slice into individual bars. For clean, neat slices, wipe the knife clean with a damp cloth between cuts. Serve immediately and enjoy the soft, sweet flavors of these donut bars.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars soft and tender.
Ensure the bars are completely cool before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting.
You can customize the glaze consistency by adjusting milk or powdered sugar amounts as needed.
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
For a more intense maple flavor, drizzle additional pure maple syrup on top after glazing if desired.

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