Description
These Maple Donut Bars are a sweet and delicious baked treat that combines the flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and rich maple syrup. Soft, moist, and topped with a smooth maple glaze, these bars make a perfect snack or dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (for glaze)
- Extra maple syrup for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until well combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter, whole milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup until the mixture is smooth and combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients bowl. Gently fold together with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined; a few lumps are fine to keep the batter tender.
- Transfer to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared 9×13 inch baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula for consistent baking.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and edges are lightly golden.
- Cool Bars: Remove the baked bars from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Maple Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk the powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon of milk until smooth. Add more milk gradually to achieve a thick but pourable consistency, then stir in 2 tablespoons of maple syrup for flavor.
- Glaze Bars: Once the bars are completely cooled, place them on a serving platter. Using a spoon or small spatula, drizzle the maple glaze evenly over the top.
- Optional Additional Drizzle: For an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle additional maple syrup over the glazed bars.
- Set Glaze: Allow the glaze to set for 10-15 minutes before slicing the bars into squares or rectangles for serving.
Notes
- Ensure the bars are completely cooled before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars light and tender.
- You can substitute whole milk with a dairy alternative if preferred, though texture may slightly vary.
- For a stronger maple flavor, feel free to increase maple syrup in the glaze or as a drizzle.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container to keep the bars moist and fresh.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: maple, donut bars, baked treat, dessert, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, glaze
