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Maple Donut Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 70 reviews

Maple Donut Bars are a delightful twist on classic donuts, baked in a sheet pan for an easy-to-make treat. Featuring a tender, moist crumb infused with warm nutmeg and topped with a luscious maple glaze, these bars offer the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Optional toppings like chopped nuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon add extra texture and flavor, making them ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a comforting snack.

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 all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground nutmeg for at least 30 seconds to ensure even distribution of the dry ingredients.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.
  3. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing; some streaks of flour are okay to maintain a tender texture.
  4. Prepare the Baking Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
  5. Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the combined batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula to ensure uniform baking.
  6. Bake: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges are golden brown.
  7. Cool: Remove the pan from the oven and let the donut bars cool for about 10 minutes in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Sift the Powdered Sugar: In a large bowl, sift the powdered sugar to eliminate any lumps and ensure a smooth glaze.
  9. Combine Glaze Ingredients: Add the pure maple syrup, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the sifted powdered sugar.
  10. Whisk Until Smooth: Whisk all glaze ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar if needed.
  11. Glaze the Donut Bars: Once the donut bars are completely cool, pour the maple glaze evenly over the top, spreading gently if necessary.
  12. Add Toppings (Optional): Immediately sprinkle your choice of chopped pecans, walnuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon over the glaze before it sets.
  13. Let the Glaze Set: Allow the glaze to set completely at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour before cutting.
  14. Cut and Serve: Cut the maple donut bars into squares or rectangles and serve fresh.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars light and tender.
  • Make sure the melted butter is slightly cooled to avoid cooking the eggs when mixing.
  • You can adjust the thickness of the glaze by adding more milk for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze.
  • Feel free to customize the toppings to your preference or omit them for a simpler treat.
  • These bars are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Keywords: maple donut bars, baked donut bars, easy donut recipe, maple glazed bars, sheet pan donuts, breakfast bars, baked donuts

Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/maple-donut-bars-recipe/