Description
Maple Donut Bars are a delightful baked treat that combines the warm flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg with a rich maple glaze. Easy to prepare and perfect for breakfast or dessert, these bars offer a soft, cakey texture topped with a sweet maple sugar glaze that’s sure to please any maple lover.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 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
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
Maple Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (for glaze)
- Extra maple syrup for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: 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 well mixed.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, whole milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently fold the mixture together using a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Pour Batter and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and edges are lightly golden.
- Cool the Bars: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the donut bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Maple Glaze: While bars cool, combine powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon milk in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth. Add more milk slowly until desired glaze consistency is reached—thick but pourable.
- Add Maple Syrup to Glaze: Stir in 2 tablespoons of maple syrup for extra flavor and mix well.
- Glaze the Bars: Once the bars are completely cooled, place them on a serving platter. Drizzle the maple glaze generously over the top using a spoon or small spatula, covering evenly.
- Optional Extra Drizzle: If desired, drizzle additional maple syrup over the glazed bars for added sweetness and presentation.
- Set the Glaze: Allow the glaze to set for 10-15 minutes before slicing the bars into squares or rectangles.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and soft.
- Using parchment paper makes removing the bars from the pan easier.
- Adjust the glaze thickness by adding milk gradually to avoid it becoming too runny.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For dairy-free versions, substitute milk and butter with plant-based alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: maple donut bars, baked donut bars, maple glaze bars, cinnamon nutmeg bars, breakfast bars, easy baked treats
