Discover the delight of making Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars right in your own kitchen! This recipe offers a scrumptious, easier-than-doughnuts way to enjoy that beloved maple donut flavor in a convenient bar form, perfect for any time of day.
Key Ingredients for Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Maple Glaze:
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon maple extract (or 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup for a less intense flavor)
How to Make Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars
Get ready for a baking adventure that’s surprisingly simple and incredibly rewarding! These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars are designed for maximum flavor with minimal fuss, featuring a tender, cake-like crumb that melts in your mouth. The warm, comforting notes of maple and spice make them an irresistible treat, perfect for a weekend brunch or a sweet pick-me-up. With a quick preparation time of around 15 minutes and baking for about 20-25 minutes, you’ll be savoring these delightful bars before you know it.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Alternate Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; be careful not to overmix.
- Bake the Bars: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Spread it out with a spatula to ensure an even layer. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Slightly: Let the bars cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before attempting to remove them.
- Prepare the Maple Glaze: While the bars are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and maple extract ( or maple syrup) in a small bowl until smooth and pourable. Add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Glaze the Bars: Once the bars have cooled enough to handle but are still slightly warm, drizzle the maple glaze generously over the top. You can cut them into bars while still warm or wait until they have completely cooled for cleaner cuts.
- Serve and Enjoy: Cut the bars into desired shapes and serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love This Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars
You’ll absolutely adore these Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars for their incredible flavor and wonderfully tender, cake-like texture that is reminiscent of your favorite cozy bakery treat. Making them at home means you can skip the trip to the donut shop and save money, all while enjoying a fresh, homemade delight that tastes even better than you imagined. The irresistible combination of warm maple and subtle spices, enhanced by a sweet, tangy glaze, makes these bars a standout dessert or breakfast option.
Unlike traditional fried donuts that can be messy and time-consuming, these bars offer all the cozy flavors with a fraction of the effort, making them perfect for busy mornings or spontaneous sweet cravings. They’re a fantastic alternative to a classic coffee cake, bringing a unique donut-inspired twist that your family and friends will rave about. So, why wait? Give these delightful Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars a try today and transform your kitchen into a haven of homemade happiness!
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Storing: Once completely cooled, store leftover Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week.
- Freezing: To freeze, wrap individual bars or the entire pan tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil or place them in a freezer-safe container. They will keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat, you can enjoy them at room temperature. If you prefer them warm, microwave individual bars for 10-15 seconds, or for a more even warming, place them on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes. Thaw frozen bars overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Final Thoughts
These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars are a true testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly special. Their comforting flavor and easy preparation make them a must-try for any home baker looking for a delightful treat. Give them a go, and let the sweet aroma and delicious taste fill your kitchen!
Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars: Your New Favorite Afternoon Treat
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ½ teaspoon salt
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.½ cup unsalted butter, softened, ¾ cup granulated sugar
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; be careful not to overmix.1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup milk
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Spread it out with a spatula to ensure an even layer. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bars cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before attempting to remove them.
- While the bars are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and maple extract ( or maple syrup) in a small bowl until smooth and pourable. Add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, if needed to reach your desired consistency.1 ½ cups powdered sugar, 3-4 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon maple extract
- Once the bars have cooled enough to handle but are still slightly warm, drizzle the maple glaze generously over the top. You can cut them into bars while still warm or wait until they have completely cooled for cleaner cuts.
- Cut the bars into desired shapes and serve immediately.