Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars Recipe
Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars are a delightful treat combining the rich flavor of pure maple syrup with a tender, cake-like texture. These bars are easy to prepare, baked to golden perfection, and topped with a smooth maple glaze that enhances their sweetness. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, they offer the comforting taste of classic donuts in a convenient bar form.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bars
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1–2 tablespoons milk, as needed
- A pinch of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside to ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, providing a smooth base for the batter.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated and the mixture stays smooth.
- Incorporate Maple Syrup and Vanilla: Mix in the pure maple syrup and vanilla extract until the ingredients are well combined, infusing the batter with rich flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spice.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients alternately with milk and sour cream to the wet mixture. Stir just until combined to avoid overmixing and ensure a tender texture.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula for uniform baking.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully cooked.
- Cool Bars: Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack to set properly before glazing.
- Prepare Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, a pinch of salt, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding more milk if needed so it is pourable.
- Glaze Bars: Once the bars have cooled, drizzle the maple glaze over the top using a spoon or piping bag for an even and attractive coating.
- Set and Serve: Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before slicing the bars into your desired size and serving.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter once flour is added; overmixing can make the bars dense.
- Ensure the bars are completely cooled before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting and running off.
- The glaze thickness can be adjusted by adding more or less milk depending on your desired consistency.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a slightly tangier flavor and added protein.
Keywords: maple donut bars, soft baked bars, maple glazed bars, easy breakfast bars, homemade donut bars
