Description
These soft baked maple donut bars are a delightful fall treat featuring the rich, comforting flavor of maple syrup. With a tender, moist texture and a sweet maple glaze, they are easy to make, perfect for sharing, and a seasonal favorite that brings warmth to any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup (120ml) maple syrup
- ½ cup (120ml) milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Glaze
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp (30ml) maple syrup
- 1–2 tbsp (15-30ml) milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups (240g) of all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Set aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a larger bowl, cream ½ cup (115g) of softened unsalted butter with ¾ cup (150g) of brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy and well combined.
- Add Eggs and Wet Ingredients: Add 2 eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in ½ cup (120ml) maple syrup, ½ cup (120ml) milk, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
- Spread Batter and Bake: Evenly spread the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Bars: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature.
- Prepare Maple Glaze: In a small bowl, mix 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar with 2 tbsp (30ml) maple syrup and 1-2 tbsp (15-30ml) milk. Stir until smooth, adjusting the consistency as needed for easy spreading or drizzling.
- Glaze and Set: Spread or drizzle the maple glaze evenly over the cooled bars. Let the glaze set for about 10 minutes before slicing into bars for serving.
Notes
- For a seasonal twist, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter to enhance fall flavors.
- Use room temperature ingredients to achieve a smoother, well-blended batter.
- If using a smaller pan, increase the baking time incrementally to ensure the bars bake through completely.