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Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars with Brown Butter Glaze

A close-up of a square slice of maple donut bars topped with thick maple and vanilla glaze.
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I am so glad you are here. These soft baked maple donut bars taste like your favorite bakery treat but are simple to make at home. We skip the frying and use a rich brown butter maple glaze for deep flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (for the bars)
  • For the Brown Butter Maple Glaze:
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (for the glaze)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–3 tablespoons milk or cream (as needed)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set this aside.
  3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  5. Mix in the buttermilk, vanilla extract, and 1/4 cup of pure maple syrup until just combined.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until the batter comes together. Do not overmix.
  7. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  8. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. While the bars bake, prepare the glaze. Melt the 1/2 cup of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until the butter foams, then develops brown bits at the bottom and smells nutty (this is brown butter). Remove from heat immediately.
  10. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, 1/4 cup maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
  11. Slowly pour the warm brown butter into the sugar mixture, whisking until smooth. Add milk or cream one tablespoon at a time until you reach a thick, pourable consistency for your homemade maple glaze.
  12. Let the baked bars cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.
  13. Pour the warm glaze evenly over the slightly warm bars, spreading quickly to coat the top surface.
  14. Let the glaze set completely before cutting the bars into squares. Serve your easy maple bars.

Notes

  • For the softest texture, do not overbake the bars. Check them right at the 20-minute mark.
  • You can use maple extract instead of pure maple syrup in the batter if you prefer a less intense maple flavor, but pure syrup gives the best results.
  • These donut shop style bars are great for weekend brunch or as a simple dessert.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.purecookingjoy.com/maple-donut-bars-recipe-easy-baked/

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