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Irresistibly Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars with Thick Maple Glaze

A close-up of a soft maple donut bar slice showing the fluffy interior and thick white glaze topping.
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Make these soft baked maple donut bars that taste like your favorite bakery version but skip the frying. This easy recipe yields fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth treats perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

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  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure maple extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (for the batter)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for the glaze)
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup (for the glaze)
  • 1 tablespoon milk or cream (for the glaze)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for the glaze)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the maple extract and 1/4 cup of maple syrup.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
  6. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. While the bars bake, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of maple syrup, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and thick. Add more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze or more liquid for a thinner glaze.
  9. Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes before cutting them into 12 or 16 bars.
  10. Drizzle the warm maple glaze generously over the warm bars. Allow the glaze to set before serving your sweet breakfast pastries.

Notes

  • For an extra bakery feel, you can dust the warm bars with a light layer of cinnamon sugar before glazing.
  • If you do not have buttermilk, mix 1/2 cup of regular milk with 1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
  • Use high-quality pure maple syrup for the best flavor in both the batter and the glaze.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cravybite.link/maple-donut-bars-recipe-soft-baked/