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Maple Donut Bars – Soft, Sweet & Glazed to Perfection

Indulge in these irresistible Maple Donut Bars – soft, fluffy, and topped with a rich maple glaze that melts in your mouth. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, these homemade bars taste just like your favorite bakery treat but are easy to make at home. A cozy, comforting dessert you’ll want to make again and again!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Course Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American, Pacific Northwest
Servings 12 maple donut bars
Calories 390 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • stand mixer (optional)
  • Rolling Pin
  • Dough cutter or knife
  • Deep-fryer or heavy pot
  • Thermometer
  • Wire rack
  • Saucepan
  • Whisk

Ingredients
  

For the Dough:

  • 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
  • ½ cup warm water
  • ½ cup warm milk
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 3½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup melted butter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Oil for frying

For the Maple Glaze:

  • ¼ cup butter
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2 tbsp corn syrup
  • 1 tsp maple extract
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar

Instructions
 

Activate Yeast:

  • Combine warm water, warm milk, and sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top and let sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.

Make Dough:

  • In a large bowl, mix flour, eggs, melted butter, salt, and yeast mixture. Knead until smooth and elastic.

First Rise:

  • Cover and let dough rise for 1 hour or until doubled.

Shape Bars:

  • Punch down dough, roll out to ½-inch thickness, and cut into 4–5 inch rectangles.

Second Rise:

  • Place bars on parchment-lined tray, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes.

Fry:

  • Heat oil to 360–375°F. Fry bars in batches, turning once, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Make Glaze:

  • Melt butter in saucepan. Add brown sugar, milk, and corn syrup. Simmer, then stir in maple extract and powdered sugar until smooth.

Glaze Bars:

  • Dip cooled bars into glaze. Let set on wire rack.

Notes

  • Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature for even frying.
  • Let bars cool slightly before glazing to prevent glaze from melting off.
  • For flavor twists, add cinnamon to dough or top with chopped bacon.
  • Freeze unglazed bars and glaze after thawing for best texture.
  • Substitute plant-based milk and butter for dairy-free version.
  • Use gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum for GF adaptation.
Keyword bakery-style donuts, brunch treats, fried donuts, maple donut bars, maple glaze, yeast donuts