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Irresistible Maple Donut Bars That Are Soft and Simple Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 133 reviews

These irresistible Maple Donut Bars are soft, moist, and effortlessly simple to make. Perfect as a breakfast treat or an anytime snack, they combine a tender cake-like texture with a luscious maple glaze that adds sweetness and depth of flavor. Made from pantry staples, this recipe is customizable with gluten-free and dairy-free options, making it versatile for various dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (can use gluten-free flour)
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda (ensure it’s fresh)
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder (check expiration for effectiveness)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt (enhances flavor)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg (or cinnamon as a substitute)

Wet Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar (brown sugar can replace it)
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (coconut oil for dairy-free)
  • 1 large Egg (or use 1/4 cup applesauce for egg-free)
  • 1 cup Buttermilk (or milk plus a teaspoon of vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (use pure for the best taste)

Maple Glaze

  • 1 cup Powdered Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Maple Syrup (honey can be a substitute)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Maple Extract (can be omitted)
  • 2 tablespoons Milk (adjust for desired consistency)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground nutmeg until evenly combined to ensure proper leavening and spice distribution.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together using a hand or stand mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes, which helps incorporate air for a light texture.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the large egg, vanilla extract, and buttermilk to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing until the batter is smooth and homogenous.
  5. Combine Mixtures: Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and maintain a tender crumb.
  6. Bake the Bars: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating doneness.
  7. Cool the Bars: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool for about 10 minutes in the pan to firm up, then carefully turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Prepare the Maple Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, maple extract, and milk until smooth and pourable. Adjust milk quantity if needed to achieve desired consistency.
  9. Glaze the Bars: Drizzle the maple glaze evenly over the cooled bars. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before cutting the bars into squares or rectangles for serving.

Notes

  • You can replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour to make the bars gluten-free.
  • Substitute coconut oil for butter to make this dairy-free.
  • Use 1/4 cup applesauce instead of egg for an egg-free version.
  • Brown sugar can be substituted for granulated sugar for a deeper flavor.
  • If you don’t have maple extract, you can omit it without significantly changing the taste.
  • Ensure your baking soda and powder are fresh for proper rising.
  • Adjust glaze thickness with more or less milk depending on preference.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Keywords: maple donut bars, soft donut bars, maple glazed bars, easy breakfast bars, gluten-free donut bars, maple syrup dessert, simple baked bars

Find it online: https://familyfavplates.com/irresistible-maple-donut-bars-that-are-soft-and-simple-recipe/