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Super Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars with Thick Maple Glaze

Close-up of two square maple donut bars stacked on a white plate, showing the fluffy interior and thick maple glaze.
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Make these easy, soft baked maple donut bars that taste like bakery style treats. This baked recipe skips the frying but delivers a fluffy texture and a rich, sweet maple glaze perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

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  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (for batter)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (for glaze)
  • 1 tablespoon milk or cream (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Set this dry mixture aside.
  3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This takes about 3 minutes.
  4. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined.
  5. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and 1/4 cup of maple syrup.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix only until the batter comes together. Do not overmix to keep the bars soft.
  7. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  8. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The bars should be lightly golden.
  9. While the bars cool slightly in the pan, prepare the glaze. Whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, and milk until smooth. Add more milk, a half teaspoon at a time, if the glaze is too thick.
  10. Once the bars are slightly cooled (about 10 minutes), pour the thick maple glaze evenly over the top.
  11. Let the glaze set completely before cutting the baked donut treats into bars. Cut into 12 or 16 pieces.

Notes

  • For the best bakery style donut bars flavor, use high-quality pure maple syrup in both the batter and the glaze.
  • If you do not have buttermilk, mix 1/2 cup of regular milk with 1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
  • These soft baked maple bars are best eaten within two days for maximum fluffiness.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://dishicious.com/maple-donut-bars-soft-baked-easy-recipe/