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ltimate Guide to Baking Delicious Treats Recipe

ltimate Guide to Baking Delicious Treats Recipe

5.2 from 28 reviews

These Maple Donut Bars are an irresistible treat combining a soft, cake-like donut base with a luscious maple glaze. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, they feature a tender crumb infused with warm nutmeg and vanilla, topped with a rich maple syrup glaze and optional toppings like chopped nuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon to add texture and flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Maple Glaze

  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup milk (or more, as needed)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Optional Toppings

  • Chopped pecans or walnuts
  • Sprinkles
  • Crumbled bacon

Instructions

  1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg for at least 30 seconds to ensure even distribution.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Ensure the butter is slightly cooled to avoid cooking the eggs.
  3. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing; a few streaks of flour remaining are acceptable.
  4. Prepare the Baking Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  5. Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula to ensure uniform baking.
  6. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean and edges turn golden brown.
  7. Cool: Allow the donut bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
  8. Sift the Powdered Sugar: Sift powdered sugar into a large bowl to remove lumps, ensuring a smooth glaze.
  9. Combine Glaze Ingredients: Add maple syrup, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the powdered sugar and whisk until smooth and creamy. Adjust milk or sugar to get desired glaze consistency.
  10. Glaze the Donut Bars: Once the bars are fully cooled, pour the maple glaze evenly over the top to coat completely.
  11. Add Toppings (Optional): Immediately sprinkle with chopped pecans/walnuts, sprinkles, or crumbled bacon for added texture and flavor.
  12. Let the Glaze Set: Allow the glaze to set for 30 minutes to an hour at room temperature to firm up before slicing.
  13. Cut and Serve: Slice the glazed donut bars into squares or rectangles and serve fresh for best taste.

Notes

  • For best results, use real buttermilk or substitute with milk plus a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and light.
  • Glaze consistency can be adjusted by adding more milk to thin, or more powdered sugar to thicken.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
  • Optional toppings can be customized according to preference; sweet or savory options both work well.

Nutrition

Keywords: Maple donut bars, baked donut bars, maple glazed donuts, breakfast bars, maple syrup treats