Description
Soft, cake-like bars infused with warm maple notes, topped with a luscious maple glaze. Perfect for a cozy brunch or a sweet afternoon treat, these soft baked maple donut bars are an ultimate comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (113g)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150g)
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar (50g)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5ml)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (180g)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder (7.5ml)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (1.25ml)
- 1/2 cup milk (120ml)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (240g)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (60ml)
- 2–4 tablespoons milk (30-60ml)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (2.5ml)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan to prevent the maple donut bars from sticking.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for creating a tender crumb for your homemade soft maple donuts.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated into the mixture for these easy baked maple donut bars.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisking ensures even distribution for a perfect rise.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix the batter for these soft maple cake donut instructions.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the donut bars cool completely in the pan before frosting. This prevents the maple glazed donut recipe’s glaze from melting.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach desired consistency for your maple syrup donut glaze.
- Once the donut bars are cooled, spread the maple glaze evenly over the top. Cut into bars and serve. Enjoy your DIY maple donut recipe!
Notes
- Softened Butter: Ensure your butter is properly softened, not melted, for a smooth batter and a perfect soft baked maple donut.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter until just combined to avoid developing gluten, which can lead to tough bars instead of tender soft baked maple donut bars.
- Cool Completely: Let the baked maple donut bars cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting and running.
- Glaze Consistency: Adjust the maple donut glaze consistency by gradually adding milk until it’s thick enough to coat but thin enough to spread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg