Maple Donut Bars From Scratch – Soft, Sweet & Perfectly Glazed
Start your morning with these Maple Donut Bars From Scratch! Soft, fluffy bars baked to perfection and topped with a sweet maple glaze make the perfect breakfast treat, brunch addition, or snack. Easy to make at home and irresistibly delicious for donut lovers everywhere.
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk and spatula
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Cooling rack
- Pastry brush (for glaze)
- Sharp knife for slicing
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- Optional: ½ tsp cinnamon or nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (or oil for a lighter version)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup milk or buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
For the Maple Glaze:
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 3–4 tbsp pure maple syrup
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: 1–2 tsp milk for thinner consistency
Optional Toppings/Variations:
- Chocolate drizzle or chips
- Toasted pecans, walnuts, or almonds
- Crispy bacon crumbles
- Additional spices: pumpkin spice, cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan:Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and optional spices.
- Combine Wet Ingredients:In another bowl, mix melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, milk or buttermilk, vanilla extract, and maple syrup until smooth.
- Fold Dry into Wet:Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep bars tender.
- Bake Bars:Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth top. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is lightly golden.
- Prepare Maple Glaze:While bars cool for 5–10 minutes, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla. Add milk if needed for desired consistency.
- Glaze & Serve:Spread glaze over slightly warm bars using a pastry brush or spoon. Allow to set before slicing into squares or rectangles. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days or refrigerate up to a week. Freeze individually for up to 3 months; reapply glaze after thawing.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Vegan/Dairy-Free Option: Use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and egg replacer.
- Flavor Variations: Add chocolate drizzle, toasted nuts, or crispy bacon on top for extra indulgence.
- Serving Tips: Serve warm for a soft, gooey texture; cool completely for neat slices.