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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
