why make this recipe
Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars are a delightful twist on traditional donuts. They bring the warm, comforting flavor of maple syrup in an easy-to-make bar form. This recipe is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack. The soft texture and delicious maple glaze will satisfy your sweet tooth without the mess of frying donuts. Plus, they are simple enough for anyone to make, even beginners!
how to make Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon maple extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and maple extract to the butter mixture and mix well.
- Mix in the sour cream and milk until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the bars cool completely.
- To make the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, maple syrup, and maple extract. Add milk slowly until the glaze is pourable.
- Spread the glaze evenly over the cooled bars and allow it to set before slicing.
how to serve Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars
These bars are best served at room temperature. You can slice them into squares and enjoy them plain, or you can add a fresh cup of coffee or tea to make it a perfect breakfast treat. They are also great for sharing at parties, picnics, or family gatherings.
how to store Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. If you want to keep them for an even longer time, consider freezing them. Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.
tips to make Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars
- Make sure your butter is at room temperature for better mixing.
- Don’t overmix the batter; mix just until combined to keep the bars soft.
- Adjust the amount of maple extract based on how strong you want the flavor to be.
- You can add walnuts or pecans to the batter for added texture.
variation
For a different flavor, try using chocolate chips instead of, or in addition to, nuts. You can also replace maple extract with almond extract for a unique twist.
FAQs
1. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour, but the texture may be denser.
2. Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make them gluten-free.
3. How can I make this recipe dairy-free?
You can use vegan butter and non-dairy milk to make it dairy-free and still delicious!
Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars
Deliciously soft maple-flavored donut bars that are easy to make and perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon maple extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for glaze)
- ¼ cup maple syrup (for glaze)
- milk (for glaze, as needed)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
- Beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy in a large bowl.
- Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and maple extract to the butter mixture and mix well.
- Mix in the sour cream and milk until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the bars cool completely.
- Whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, maple syrup, and maple extract for the glaze. Add milk slowly until the glaze is pourable.
- Spread the glaze evenly over the cooled bars and allow it to set before slicing.
Notes
Best served at room temperature. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or refrigerate for a week. Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
