Description

These Maple Donut Bars are a deliciously soft and tender treat inspired by classic donuts, featuring a moist buttermilk batter infused with warm nutmeg and topped with a sweet maple glaze. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, they combine the comforting flavors of baked goods with the indulgent taste of maple syrup in an easy-to-make bar format.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Donut Bars:

2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda (2g)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder (2g)
1/4 teaspoon salt (1g)
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (1g)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (56g)
1 large egg
1/2 cup buttermilk (120ml)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5ml)

For the Maple Glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar (60g)
2 tablespoons maple syrup (30ml)
1/2 teaspoon maple extract (2.5ml)
1–2 tablespoons milk, as needed for consistency (15–30ml)

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent the bars from sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground nutmeg until evenly combined. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and buttermilk to the creamed butter and sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bars tough.
Pour Batter and Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and spread it out with a spatula for an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool Bars: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
Prepare Maple Glaze: While the bars cool, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, maple extract, and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust the milk amount as needed to reach your desired glaze consistency.
Glaze the Bars: When the bars are completely cool, spread or drizzle the maple glaze evenly over the top. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving.

Notes

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator: Can be kept for up to 5 days, though the glaze may harden slightly.
Freezer: Freeze the bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before glazing or serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Maple Donut Bars, baked donut bars, maple glaze, sweet breakfast bars, easy dessert, nutmeg bars