Print

th Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze Recipe

th Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 25 reviews

These Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars are a nostalgic treat featuring a tender, cakey base infused with warm nutmeg and topped with a luscious brown butter maple vanilla bean glaze. Perfectly balanced between sweet and rich, these bars bring the classic donut-shop flavors to your kitchen in an easy-to-make sheet-pan dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Donut Bars:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup buttermilk

For the Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
  • 1–2 tbsp milk (for thinning, as needed)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt. The nutmeg contributes a classic donut-shop aroma.
  3. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Then, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. Add the Buttermilk and Dry Ingredients: Alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined to avoid dense bars.
  5. Bake the Donut Bars: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 22–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow bars to cool completely before glazing.
  6. Make the Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, cooking it until it turns golden brown and emits a nutty aroma, careful not to burn it. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla bean paste. Add milk to adjust the glaze consistency if needed.
  7. Glaze the Bars: Pour the glaze over the cooled bars, spreading it evenly. Let the glaze set for 10–15 minutes before slicing into rectangles or desired shapes.

Notes

  • Ensure butter is softened for easier creaming with sugar.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and avoid toughness.
  • Watch the butter carefully when browning to prevent burning, which will affect the glaze flavor.
  • You can substitute vanilla bean paste with vanilla extract, but paste provides a richer vanilla flavor.
  • For a thinner glaze, add more milk gradually until the desired consistency is reached.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: buttermilk donut bars, old-fashioned donut recipe, brown butter glaze, maple vanilla glaze, baked donut bars, easy dessert bars

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/th-brown-butter-maple-vanilla-bean-glaze-recipe/