Description
These Irresistible Maple Donut Bars are soft, moist, and simple to make, combining classic donut flavors with an easy bar format. With a tender crumb spiced lightly with nutmeg and a luscious maple glaze, they are perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack any time of day.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (can use gluten-free flour)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda (ensure it’s fresh)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder (check expiration for effectiveness)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt (enhances flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg (or cinnamon as a substitute)
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar (brown sugar can replace it)
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (coconut oil for dairy-free), softened
- 1 large Egg (or use 1/4 cup applesauce for egg-free)
- 1 cup Buttermilk (or milk plus a teaspoon of vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (use pure for the best taste)
Glaze Ingredients
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- 1/4 cup Maple Syrup (honey can be a substitute)
- 1/2 teaspoon Maple Extract (optional)
- 2 tablespoons Milk (adjust for desired consistency)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan by greasing or lining it with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground nutmeg until evenly combined.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar with a mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and buttermilk into the creamed butter and sugar mixture until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
- Bake the batter: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan and bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the bars: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then carefully turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the glaze: In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, maple extract (if using), and milk until smooth. Adjust the milk amount to achieve your desired glaze consistency.
- Glaze and serve: Drizzle the maple glaze evenly over the cooled bars. Let the glaze set before slicing into squares or rectangles, then enjoy!
Notes
- To make the recipe dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil and use a plant-based milk plus vinegar instead of buttermilk.
- For an egg-free version, replace the egg with 1/4 cup applesauce or a suitable egg replacer.
- Ensure your baking soda and baking powder are fresh for proper leavening and best texture.
- You can substitute ground nutmeg with cinnamon if preferred for a slightly different spice flavor.
- Adjust the glaze thickness by varying the milk amount to get a drizzle or a thicker frosting consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: maple donut bars, easy maple bars, soft donut bars, maple glaze dessert, baked donut bars
