Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars offer the perfect balance of tender cake and sweet maple flavor, ideal for breakfast or a cozy snack. Easy to make and topped with a simple glaze, they bring the comforting taste of donuts right to your home oven.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup milk (whole or non-dairy)
• 1/4 cup melted butter (cooled)
• For glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar
• For glaze: 2 tbsp milk

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking dish and 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 cinnamon until evenly combined.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, maple syrup, milk, and melted butter until the mixture is smooth.
4. Step 4: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing.
5. Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
6. Step 6: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Step 7: Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. Mix powdered sugar and milk to create the glaze and drizzle it over the cooled bars before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added texture and nutrition.
• Use almond or oat milk as a non-dairy alternative to keep the bars dairy-free.
• Add chopped nuts or a sprinkle of nutmeg for extra flavor and crunch.
• Ensure eggs are at room temperature to help the batter mix smoothly and rise well.

Storage

Store the maple donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to enjoy them warm and soft.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend, ensuring it includes xanthan gum or another binder. The texture may vary slightly but will still be delicious.

How do I prevent the bars from becoming dry?

Be careful not to overbake; check the bars at the 20-minute mark with a toothpick. Stop baking as soon as it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs for a softer texture.

Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 95 reviews

Delight in these Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars that combine the warm flavors of cinnamon and maple syrup in a tender, cake-like bar. Perfect as a breakfast treat or a sweet snack, these bars are easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and finished with a glossy maple glaze.

• Author: Windy
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 9 bars (about 3x3 inch pieces) 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup milk (whole or non-dairy)
• 1/4 cup melted butter (cooled)

Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp milk

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make for easy removal of the bars.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until well combined to ensure even distribution of leavening and spices.
3. Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, pure maple syrup, milk, and cooled melted butter together until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Stir just until combined; avoid overmixing to keep the texture light and soft.
5. Pour batter and bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly for uniform baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Cool the bars: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set before transferring them carefully to a wire rack for full cooling.
7. Prepare and drizzle glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth to create a sweet glaze. Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled bars to add sweetness and a glossy finish.

Notes

• Use room temperature eggs for better mixing and texture.
• Whole milk or non-dairy alternatives like almond or oat milk work equally well in this recipe.
• Make sure the melted butter is cooled before adding it to prevent cooking the eggs prematurely.
• The glaze can be adjusted by adding more milk for a thinner consistency or more powdered sugar for thickness.
• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
• These bars can be cut into squares or rectangles depending on your serving preference.

Keywords: maple donut bars, baked donut bars, easy breakfast bars, sweet snack bars, maple dessert