Maple Donut Bars

$- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg - 2 large eggs - 1/2 cup whole milk - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1/2 cup pure maple syrup - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze) - 2-3 tablespoons milk (for glaze) - Extra maple syrup for drizzling (optional) To make the perfect maple donut bars, you need simple ingredients. Start with flour, sugar, and baking powder. These make the base of your dough. The salt adds balance, while cinnamon and nutmeg bring warmth. Eggs add structure and help the bars rise. Whole milk and melted butter keep the bars moist. Maple syrup is the star here. It gives the bars their sweet flavor. Don’t forget the vanilla extract. It enhances the taste of the maple. For the glaze, you’ll use powdered sugar mixed with milk. This creates a smooth, sweet topping. If you want more maple flavor, drizzle extra syrup on top. Each bite will be a delight! {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray, then set it aside. 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg Whisk these dry ingredients until well mixed. 3. In another bowl, mix: - 2 large eggs - 1/2 cup whole milk - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1/2 cup pure maple syrup - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Beat the eggs first, then whisk in the other wet ingredients until smooth. 4. Now, pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined. Avoid over-mixing for fluffy bars. 5. Transfer the batter to your prepared baking dish. Smooth the top with a spatula. 6. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center. It should come out clean. Let the bars cool completely in the pan. 7. For the glaze, whisk together in a small bowl: - 1 cup powdered sugar - 2-3 tablespoons milk Adjust the milk for your desired glaze thickness. 8. Once the donut bars are cool, cut them into rectangular bars. You can dip the tops in the glaze or drizzle it over the bars with a spoon. 9. For a sweet touch, drizzle some extra maple syrup on top before serving. To get the best texture in your maple donut bars, avoid over-mixing the batter. Mix until the ingredients just come together. If you mix too much, the bars can turn out dense. Also, ensure you use an accurate oven temperature. An oven that is too hot can burn the edges, while a cooler oven can leave the center raw. An oven thermometer can help you check the exact heat. The glaze on your donut bars needs to be just right. To adjust the thickness, add more milk for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze. This helps you achieve the perfect coating. For easy application, dip the tops of the bars in the glaze. Alternatively, you can drizzle it over the bars with a spoon for a nice look. For a fun twist, think about adding nuts or chocolate chips to the batter. These extras can enhance the taste and give a nice crunch. You can also use flavored extracts like almond or maple to switch things up. A little bit of creativity can take your donut bars to a whole new level! Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best texture, make sure your eggs and milk are at room temperature before mixing them into the batter. Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter until just combined; overmixing can lead to dense donut bars instead of light and fluffy ones. Check for Doneness: Always check the bars a few minutes before the minimum baking time to prevent overbaking; a toothpick should come out clean when they’re done. Customize Your Glaze: Feel free to add a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon to your glaze for extra flavor. {{image_2}} To make vegan maple donut bars, swap the eggs and dairy. You can use flax eggs instead of regular eggs. Mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit for five minutes to thicken. For the milk, use almond milk or oat milk. Replace the butter with coconut oil or vegan butter. This keeps the bars moist and rich. For gluten-free maple donut bars, use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour. Almond flour or a gluten-free blend works well. You may also need to adjust the leavening agents. Use one teaspoon of baking powder and add a bit of baking soda. This helps the bars rise properly and stay fluffy. You can also try chocolate maple bars. Just add half a cup of cocoa powder to the dry mix. This gives a rich chocolate taste that pairs well with maple. For pumpkin spice maple bars, add one cup of pumpkin puree and a teaspoon of pumpkin spice. The warm flavors make these bars perfect for fall. To keep your maple donut bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. This will help prevent them from drying out. You can keep them at room temperature for up to three days. If you want them to last longer, place them in the fridge. They will stay fresh for about a week in the cold. To freeze your maple donut bars, first let them cool completely. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap. After that, place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to three months. When you want to enjoy them, take them out and let them thaw in the fridge overnight. This helps keep their soft texture. For the best taste, reheat your maple donut bars in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bars on a baking sheet and warm them for about 5-10 minutes. This will keep them from getting soggy. You can also use a microwave. Heat them for 10-15 seconds, but be careful not to overdo it. Enjoy them warm for a great treat! To keep your maple donut bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. For short-term storage, they can sit at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to save them longer, place them in the fridge for up to a week. For long-term storage, freeze them. Wrap each bar in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. Thaw them in the fridge before enjoying. Yes, you can use either light or dark maple syrup. Light maple syrup has a milder flavor, while dark syrup is richer and more robust. If you want a subtle sweetness, choose light syrup. For a deeper maple taste, go for the dark syrup. Both can make your bars taste great, so pick what you like best! To make your donut bars healthier, try these simple tips: - Reduce the sugar: Cut down on granulated sugar by 1/4 cup. - Substitute applesauce: Use unsweetened applesauce instead of half the butter to lower fat. - Use whole wheat flour: Swap half of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour for more fiber. These changes can help make your bars a bit lighter while keeping them delicious! This article covered how to make delicious maple donut bars. You learned about the key ingredients, steps to bake, and tips for perfecting their texture. I shared ideas for variations and storage methods to keep your bars fresh. Remember, mixing flavors and adjusting your ingredients can make each batch unique. Enjoy experimenting with this fun recipe, and make these bars your own! They are sure to impress friends and family alike.$

Delicious bars infused with maple flavor, perfect for breakfast or dessert.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 45

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 large eggs
0.5 cup whole milk
0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted
0.5 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
optional extra maple syrup for drizzling

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray, then set it aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until well combined.
In another bowl, beat the eggs and then add the milk, melted butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Whisk until thoroughly combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to ensure a fluffy texture.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan.
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of milk until smooth to make the glaze. Adjust the consistency as needed.
Once the donut bars are cool, cut them into rectangular bars. Dip the tops in the glaze or drizzle it over the bars using a spoon.
For an extra touch, drizzle some additional maple syrup on top of the glazed bars before serving.

Notes

For an extra touch, drizzle some additional maple syrup on top before serving.

Keyword baking, dessert, donut bars, maple