Description
These Maple Donut Bars capture the sweet, nostalgic flavor of your favorite bakery donuts in an easy-to-make bar form. Soft, fluffy, and topped with a luscious maple glaze, these bars bring the perfect balance of cake-like texture and rich maple sweetness, making them a delightful treat for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Maple Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- Mix Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a creamy base for the batter.
- Add Eggs, Buttermilk, and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, then mix in the buttermilk and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until the batter is smooth and without lumps.
- Bake the Bars: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 22–28 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the Maple Glaze: While the bars are baking, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and 2-3 tablespoons of milk or cream until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze the Bars: As soon as the bars come out of the oven, spread the maple glaze evenly over the warm surface to allow it to set nicely.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into 24 squares. Serve and enjoy the bakery-style maple donut flavor at home!
Notes
- To soften butter quickly, leave it at room temperature for about 30 minutes before starting.
- Use fresh baking powder and baking soda to ensure proper rising.
- Adjust the milk or cream in the glaze to achieve your desired thickness.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For extra texture, sprinkle chopped nuts on the glaze before it sets.
