Introduction

These Maple Donut Bars offer a delightful twist on classic donuts, baked in a single pan for easy serving. With warm spices and a rich maple glaze, they make a perfect treat for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

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
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
1-2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
Extra maple syrup for drizzling (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: 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.
Step 2: 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 well mixed.
Step 3: In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, whole milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Step 4: 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. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are fine.
Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges are lightly golden.
Step 7: 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.
Step 8: While the bars are cooling, prepare the maple glaze by combining the powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth.
Step 9: Add more milk a little at a time until the glaze reaches a thick but pourable consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
Step 10: Stir in an additional 2 tablespoons of maple syrup for extra flavor.
Step 11: Once the bars are completely cooled, place them on a serving platter or cutting board.
Step 12: Drizzle the maple glaze generously over the bars, covering them evenly.
Step 13: Optionally, drizzle a little extra maple syrup over the glazed bars for added sweetness and presentation.
Step 14: Let the glaze set for 10-15 minutes before slicing the bars into squares or rectangles.

Tips & Variations

For a nuttier flavor, add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter before baking.
Use almond milk or oat milk as a dairy-free substitute for whole milk.
Swap the ground nutmeg for ground ginger to add a different warm spice note.
If you prefer a thicker glaze, reduce the milk slightly or add more powdered sugar.

Storage

Store the maple donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate them for up to a week; bring to room temperature before serving. Reheat gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to refresh the texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pure maple syrup in the batter and the glaze?

Yes, using pure maple syrup enhances the flavor. Just be sure to measure carefully and adjust the glaze consistency if needed.

How do I know when the donut bars are fully baked?

The bars are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges turn lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to keep them moist.

Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 150 reviews

Delightful Maple Donut Bars are soft and moist cake-like bars infused with warm spices and pure maple syrup. Topped with a luscious maple glaze, these bars offer a perfect balance of sweetness and comforting fall flavors, ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat any time of day.

Author: Ella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 12–16 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
1–2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons maple syrup (for glaze)

Optional for Serving

Extra maple syrup for drizzling

Instructions

Preheat Oven: 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.
Mix 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 Mixtures: 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; a few lumps are fine. Be careful not to overmix.
Prepare to Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and edges are lightly golden.
Cool 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.
Make Maple Glaze: While the bars cool, combine powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth, adding more milk a little at a time to reach a thick but pourable consistency.
Add Maple Syrup to Glaze: Stir in an additional 2 tablespoons of maple syrup to the glaze for extra flavor.
Glaze Bars: Once the bars are completely cooled, place them on a serving platter or cutting board and drizzle the maple glaze generously and evenly over the top.
Optional Drizzle: Drizzle extra maple syrup over the glazed bars for added sweetness and presentation.
Set 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 light.
Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the recipe.
The glaze consistency can be adjusted by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk and use dairy-free butter.
Store leftover bars in an airtight container and consume within 3 days for best freshness.

Keywords: maple donut bars, maple glazed bars, spiced donut bars, easy baked donut recipe, fall dessert, maple syrup dessert