Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These baked donut bars are soft, tender, and perfectly sweetened with maple. They’re easy to make, require no deep frying, and can be customized to suit your preferences. Plus, the scent that fills your kitchen while they bake is pure heaven.
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Delicious Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 12 bars
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These delicious soft-baked maple donut bars combine the comforting flavor of maple-glazed donuts with the tender texture of cake bars. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, they’re topped with a silky maple glaze for a bakery-style treat at home.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp maple extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup (for glaze)
- 1–2 tbsp milk (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter, oil, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy.
- Add eggs, sour cream, milk, vanilla extract, and maple extract. Mix until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
- For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk until smooth and pourable.
- Spread the glaze over the cooled bars, let it set, then slice into squares or bars.
Notes
- Use pure maple syrup for the best flavor.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle chopped pecans on top of the glaze before it sets.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer shelf life.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
All-purpose flour – Provides structure to the bars while keeping them soft. Sift the flour before using to ensure a light texture.
Baking powder – This gives the donut bars their fluffy lift. Make sure it’s fresh for the best rise.
Salt – A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the maple flavor.
Unsalted butter – Melted butter adds richness and moisture to the bars. You can substitute with coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar – Adds a caramel depth that pairs wonderfully with the maple.
Eggs – Help bind the ingredients and give the bars a soft, cake-like texture.
Maple syrup – The star of the show! Use pure maple syrup for the best flavor.
Vanilla extract – Rounds out the sweetness with warm, aromatic notes.
Milk – Keeps the batter smooth and moist. Any milk works here; I used almond milk and loved the subtle nuttiness.
Powdered sugar – Used for the glaze, giving it a silky texture.
Maple extract or extra syrup – Intensifies the maple flavor in the glaze for that classic donut shop taste.
Directions
- Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, and eggs until smooth. Add maple syrup, vanilla extract, and milk, mixing until fully combined.
- Bring It Together: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until no streaks of flour remain — don’t overmix to keep the texture tender.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Glaze: Allow the bars to cool completely before glazing. To make the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar and maple syrup or extract until smooth. Spread evenly over the bars.
- Set and Slice: Let the glaze set before slicing into bars. Enjoy with coffee or a glass of milk.
Essential Equipment
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.
knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.
Servings and timing
This recipe yields 12 bars and takes about 10 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to bake, with an additional 15 minutes for cooling and glazing.
Storage/reheating
Store the maple donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, warm in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to restore that freshly baked texture.
Variations and Customizations
Cinnamon Maple Bars – Add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the batter for a warm, spiced twist.
Gluten-Free Version – Substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free blend.
Nutty Crunch – Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the glaze for added texture and flavor.
Chocolate Drizzle – Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the bars for a richer dessert option.
Vegan Maple Bars – Use plant-based butter and flax eggs to make this recipe completely vegan.
Pumpkin Maple Bars – Mix in ¼ cup of pumpkin purée and a dash of pumpkin spice for a seasonal variation.
Lemon-Maple Glaze – Add a few drops of lemon juice to the glaze for a tangy brightness.
Espresso Maple Bars – Stir in 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder for a subtle coffee undertone.
Maple Bacon Delight – For a sweet-savory combination, top with crumbled cooked bacon before the glaze sets.
Mini Donut Bites – Instead of a pan, bake the batter in a mini muffin tin for bite-sized treats.
FAQs
1. Can I use pancake syrup instead of pure maple syrup?
You can, but the flavor won’t be as rich or authentic. Pure maple syrup gives the best results.
2. Can I freeze maple donut bars?
Yes, they freeze beautifully. Store in airtight containers for up to 2 months.
3. Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, though it will yield a denser texture. Consider using half all-purpose and half whole wheat.
4. How do I make the glaze thicker?
Add more powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
5. Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely. Just bake it in a 9×13-inch pan and adjust baking time slightly.
6. Why are my bars dry?
Overbaking can cause dryness. Check doneness with a toothpick a few minutes early.
7. Can I skip the glaze?
Yes, but the glaze enhances the maple flavor beautifully.
8. Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
Yes, fold them into the batter before baking for extra texture.
9. Can I make these dairy-free?
Easily — use almond milk and vegan butter substitutes.
10. What’s the best way to serve these bars?
They’re delicious slightly warm with coffee or a drizzle of extra maple syrup.
Conclusion
These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars are a delightful blend of comfort and simplicity, delivering all the flavors of a classic donut without the fuss of frying. Their tender crumb, fragrant maple aroma, and glossy glaze make them a treat worth baking time and again. Whether for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy afternoon pick-me-up, these bars are guaranteed to become a family favorite. Try them once, and you’ll find yourself craving their sweet, maple-kissed perfection often.
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