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Maple Donut Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 113 reviews

Delight in these irresistible Maple Donut Bars, featuring a moist, tender cake base infused with warm spices and topped with a luscious maple glaze. Perfectly soft and sweet, these bars combine classic donut flavors in an easy-to-make sheet cake form, finished with optional toppings like chopped nuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon for added texture and flavor.

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 flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 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 butter, granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined; ensure the butter is slightly cooled to prevent cooking the eggs.
  3. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the batter tender; some streaks of flour are acceptable.
  4. Prepare the Baking Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
  5. Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan and spread it out to the edges.
  6. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges start to turn golden brown.
  7. Cool: Allow the donut bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature before glazing.
  8. Sift the Powdered Sugar: Using a sifter or fine mesh, sift the powdered sugar into a large bowl to remove any lumps for a smooth glaze.
  9. Combine Glaze Ingredients: Add the maple syrup, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the powdered sugar.
  10. Whisk Until Smooth: Whisk all glaze ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency by adding more milk to thin or more powdered sugar to thicken as needed.
  11. Glaze the Donut Bars: Once the bars are completely cool, pour the maple glaze evenly over the top, allowing it to spread naturally.
  12. Add Toppings (Optional): Immediately sprinkle chopped pecans, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon on the glaze before it sets for added flavor and texture.
  13. Let the Glaze Set: Allow the glaze to fully set for 30 minutes to 1 hour at room temperature before cutting to prevent smudging.
  14. Cut and Serve: Once the glaze is firm, cut the donut bars into squares or rectangles and serve fresh.

Notes

  • For best results, do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and soft.
  • Ensure the donut bars are completely cool before adding the glaze to prevent it from melting off.
  • Optional toppings can be customized to your taste; try toasted coconut or chocolate chips for variety.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • Reheat briefly in the microwave for a warm, fresh-baked taste.

Keywords: maple donut bars, baked donut bars, maple glaze bars, easy breakfast bars, donut sheet cake

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