Description
These irresistibly soft maple donut bars combine a tender, spiced cake base with a sweet maple glaze, offering all the comforting flavors of classic donut treats in a convenient bar form. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, they feature warm nutmeg and pure maple syrup for a delightful taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (2g)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (2g)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (1g)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (1g)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (56g)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (120ml)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5ml)
Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (60g)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (30ml)
- 1/2 teaspoon maple extract (2.5ml)
- 1–2 tablespoons milk, as needed for consistency (15–30ml)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground nutmeg until well combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture in the bars.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and buttermilk into the creamed butter and sugar until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure the bars remain soft and tender.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter evenly into the prepared pan and spread it smoothly using a spatula.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating that the bars are done.
- Cool Bars: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature.
- Prepare Maple Glaze: While the bars cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, maple extract, and milk until the glaze is smooth and pourable.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the bars are completely cool, drizzle or spread the maple glaze generously over the top. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Room Temperature Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.
- Refrigeration: Keep the bars refrigerated for up to 5 days; note that the glaze may harden slightly when chilled.
- Freezing: Freeze the bars without the glaze in a sealed bag for up to 1 month. Add the glaze after thawing for best results.
Keywords: maple donut bars, soft donut bars, baked donut bars, maple glaze, easy breakfast bars, spiced donut recipe