Maple Donut Bars

$- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg - 2 large eggs - 1/2 cup whole milk - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1/2 cup pure maple syrup - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze) - 2-3 tablespoons milk (for glaze) - Extra maple syrup for drizzling (optional) This recipe makes 12 delicious bars. You will need 2 cups of flour to form the base. For sweetness, 1 cup of granulated sugar works well. The baking powder helps the bars rise, with just 1 tablespoon needed. A hint of salt (1/2 teaspoon) balances the flavors. Adding 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg enhances the taste. For moisture, 2 large eggs and 1/2 cup of whole milk are essential. The melted butter (1/4 cup) adds richness. Pure maple syrup (1/2 cup) provides that sweet, unique flavor we all love. Finally, the glaze requires 1 cup of powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of milk to achieve the right consistency. If you don't have all-purpose flour, you can use whole wheat flour instead. It will give the bars a denser texture but still works. For a lower sugar option, try using less granulated sugar or a sugar substitute. You can replace whole milk with almond milk or oat milk if you prefer a dairy-free option. If you run out of unsalted butter, you can use coconut oil. Just make sure it’s melted. For the glaze, if you want a different flavor, try using chocolate or caramel sauce instead of powdered sugar. {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. This helps the bars come out easily after baking. In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Whisk these until they blend well. In another bowl, crack 2 large eggs and beat them lightly. Then, add 1/2 cup of whole milk, 1/4 cup of melted unsalted butter, 1/2 cup of pure maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whisk this mixture until it is smooth and well combined. Carefully pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to gently fold them together. Be careful not to over-mix; this keeps the bars light and fluffy. Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish. Use the spatula to smooth the top evenly. Place it in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. To check if they are done, insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out clean. Once baked, take them out and let them cool completely in the pan. While the bars cool, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, mix 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of milk. Whisk until you get a smooth consistency. Adjust with more milk if you want a thinner glaze. To make your bars fluffy, do not over-mix the batter. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined. This keeps air in the batter. Use fresh baking powder for the best rise. Check the date on the can before using it. Make sure your eggs are at room temperature. Room-temp eggs mix better and help with fluffiness. Let the bars cool in the pan for about ten minutes. This helps them set and makes cutting easier. Once cool, cut them into rectangles. For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Dip the tops or drizzle the glaze over each bar. If you want a thicker glaze, add less milk. For more flavor, drizzle some maple syrup on top. Arrange your bars on a nice platter or cake stand. This makes them look more inviting. You can sprinkle some cinnamon or add chopped pecans for texture. These small touches can make a big difference. Serve them warm for a cozy feel or at room temperature for a classic treat. Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your eggs and milk are at room temperature before mixing. This helps the batter blend more smoothly and results in a better texture. Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense bars instead of light and fluffy ones. Check Doneness Carefully: Use a toothpick to test the center of the bars; if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, they are perfectly baked. Overbaking can dry them out. Customize Your Glaze: Feel free to add a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon to the glaze for an extra flavor boost. You can also adjust the thickness by varying the milk amount. {{image_4}} You can make maple donut bars even more fun by adding mix-ins. Try folding in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips for a rich twist. If you like nuts, use 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts. These will add a nice crunch. You can also mix in dried fruits like cranberries or raisins for a sweet surprise. While the classic glaze is great, you can switch it up. Consider making a chocolate glaze. Simply melt 1 cup of chocolate chips with 2 tablespoons of butter. Drizzle this over the bars after they cool. You could also use a cinnamon glaze. Just mix powdered sugar with a bit of milk and a dash of cinnamon. This adds a warm, cozy flavor. You can also change the flavor based on the season. For fall, add 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice to the batter. This gives a festive touch. For summer, try adding lemon zest to the batter for a bright flavor. You can even top the bars with fresh berries during berry season. Each bite will remind you of the season's best tastes! Store your maple donut bars in an airtight container. Place parchment paper between the bars to keep them from sticking together. They stay fresh at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to a week. To freeze your maple donut bars, first cool them completely. Then, wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped bars in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last in the freezer for up to three months. Label the bag with the date for easy tracking. When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen bars, take them out of the freezer. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight. You can heat them in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds if you prefer them warm. Make sure to keep an eye on them so they don’t get too hot. Enjoy your delicious maple treat! Yes, you can use whole wheat flour. It will make the bars denser. I recommend mixing it with all-purpose flour for a lighter texture. Try a 50/50 mix. This gives you more fiber without losing all the fluffiness. To cut the sweetness, reduce the sugar by one-fourth. You can also add more spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. These flavors will help balance the taste without adding sugar. Serve the bars warm or at room temperature. You can drizzle extra maple syrup on top for more flavor. Arrange them on a pretty plate for a nice touch. They look great with a sprinkle of cinnamon or some nuts. Yes, you can use gluten-free all-purpose flour. Make sure it has xanthan gum for better texture. This will help the bars rise and stay fluffy. Always check the package for best results. Absolutely! You can bake them a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container. Just add the glaze right before serving to keep it fresh. This blog post covered all you need to make delicious Maple Donut Bars. We looked at ingredients, mixing steps, and helpful tips for great results. I shared ways to change the flavors and ideas for storage. Baking can be fun and easy. Remember, whether you enjoy these bars fresh or stored, they will delight your taste buds. Try your own variations and share them! You might discover your new favorite treat. Happy baking!$

Delicious and fluffy maple-flavored donut bars, perfect for breakfast or a sweet treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 45

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 large eggs
0.5 cup whole milk
0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted
0.5 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
to taste extra maple syrup for drizzling (optional)

Instructions

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish generously with butter or non-stick cooking spray, then set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Whisk these dry ingredients together until they are completely blended and well incorporated.
In a separate bowl, crack the eggs and beat them lightly. Next, add the whole milk, melted unsalted butter, pure maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Whisk this mixture together until everything is thoroughly combined and smooth.
Gradually pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Using a spatula, gently fold the two together until they are just combined. Be careful not to over-mix the batter; this keeps the bars light and fluffy.
Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish, using the spatula to smooth the top evenly.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the bars; it should come out clean. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
While the bars cool, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of milk until you achieve a smooth consistency. Adjust the amount of milk to achieve your desired glaze thickness.
After the donut bars have cooled, cut them into rectangular pieces. You can either dip the tops of each bar into the glaze for a beautiful finish or use a spoon to drizzle the glaze over the bars.
For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle a little more pure maple syrup over the glazed bars just before serving.

Notes

Arrange the bars on a decorative platter or tiered cake stand for an enticing display, and consider garnishing with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a few chopped pecans for added texture.

Keyword baking, dessert, donut bars, maple