Maple Donut Bars From Scratch Recipe

Introduction

Enjoy the comforting flavors of these homemade maple donut bars, a delightful treat perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Soft, tender, and topped with a sweet maple glaze, they’re easier to make than you might think.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
• 2–3 tablespoons maple syrup (for glaze)
• 1–2 tablespoons milk (for glaze, adjust for consistency)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional (for glaze)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. In another bowl, combine the melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until well mixed.
3. Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
4. Step 4: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Step 5: For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and optional vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the thickness by adding milk or powdered sugar as needed.
6. Step 6: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled donut bars using a spoon or piping bag. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or ground cloves to the dry ingredients.
• Use pure maple syrup in the glaze for the best authentic taste.
• If you prefer a stronger cinnamon flavor, increase the ground cinnamon to 1 teaspoon.
• Swap milk with almond or oat milk to make the recipe dairy-free.

Storage

Store the maple donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to a week. Before serving, let refrigerated bars come to room temperature or warm them slightly. The glaze may soften after refrigeration but will still be delicious.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these donut bars gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that measures cup-for-cup for best results.

Can I freeze the donut bars?

Absolutely. Freeze the bars without glaze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw completely before glazing and serving.

Maple Donut Bars From Scratch Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 75 reviews

• Author: Matteo
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x

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Description

These Maple Donut Bars from scratch are a delightful treat combining the soft, fluffy texture of donut cake with a sweet, rich maple glaze. Easy to make in a single baking pan, they offer the perfect balance of cinnamon-spiced batter and smooth maple frosting for a comforting breakfast or snack.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Donut Bars:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Maple Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1–2 tablespoons milk (adjust for consistency)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to ensure the bars don’t stick and are easy to remove after baking.
2. Prepare the Donut Bar Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. In a separate bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract, mixing well until smooth. Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the batter.
3. Bake the Bars: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. After baking, let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps the glaze adhere better.
4. Prepare the Maple Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla extract (if using) until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if the glaze is too thick or more powdered sugar if too thin, ensuring a perfect drizzle texture.
5. Glaze the Bars: Once the donut bars have completely cooled, drizzle the maple glaze evenly over the top using a spoon or piping bag for control. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before slicing into bars to serve.

Notes

• Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the donut bars tender and fluffy.
• The glaze consistency can be adjusted based on preference—thicker glaze will create a more pronounced topping.
• Use room temperature eggs for better mixing and texture.
• Allow bars to cool completely before glazing to prevent melting the glaze.
• Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Maple Donut Bars, Homemade Donut Bars, Maple Glaze Donut Bars, Breakfast Bars, Baked Donut Bars, Cinnamon Donut Bars