Introduction

Maple Donut Bars combine the soft, cakey texture of a donut with a sweet maple glaze for a delicious treat that’s perfect any time of day. Topped with your choice of nuts, sprinkles, or even bacon, these bars offer a delightful mix of flavors and textures.

The image shows three square cakes stacked on a white speckled plate, each cake having a golden brown, slightly crispy texture. They are generously covered with thick, smooth light beige glaze that drips down the sides in long drops. Small green herb leaves and tiny brown nuts or berries are placed on top of the glaze for decoration. In the background, there is a turquoise cup and saucer with a warm brown drink inside, all set on a white marbled surface. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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
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
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
Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Sprinkles (optional)
Crumbled bacon (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg for at least 30 seconds to combine evenly.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth. Ensure the butter is slightly cooled before mixing.
Step 3: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix gently until just combined. Some streaks of flour are fine; avoid overmixing.
Step 4: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper.
Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
Step 6: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges turn golden brown.
Step 7: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 8: Sift the powdered sugar into a large bowl to remove lumps.
Step 9: Add the maple syrup, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the powdered sugar.
Step 10: Whisk the glaze ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Adjust the milk or powdered sugar to reach your desired consistency.
Step 11: Pour the glaze evenly over the cooled donut bars.
Step 12: Immediately sprinkle with chopped nuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon if desired.
Step 13: Allow the glaze to set for 30 minutes to an hour before cutting into squares or rectangles.
Step 14: Serve and enjoy your maple donut bars!

Tips & Variations

For a richer flavor, substitute half of the buttermilk with plain yogurt.
Use dark or Grade A amber maple syrup for a deeper maple taste.
Add a pinch of cinnamon to the dry ingredients for a warm spice note.
Try topping with toasted coconut or chocolate chips for extra variety.
Make these bars vegan by replacing butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and using a plant-based milk.

Storage

Store the maple donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat individual bars briefly in the microwave for a warm treat, or enjoy them cold.

How to Serve

Three rectangular doughnuts are stacked on a white plate. Each doughnut is golden-brown with a sugary texture on the sides. They are covered with thick, creamy beige icing that drips down the edges. The top doughnut is decorated with small, colorful round sprinkles in red, blue, yellow, white, and orange, adding a playful touch. The background is softly blurred, with two white cups in the back on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, you can substitute regular milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar added to 1 cup of milk to mimic buttermilk’s acidity.

Can I make the bars gluten-free?

Yes, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that measures cup-for-cup like regular flour. Be sure it contains xanthan gum or add it separately for best results.