Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars

$- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon baking soda - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg - ½ teaspoon salt - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened - ¾ cup packed brown sugar - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ½ cup buttermilk - ½ cup pure maple syrup (plus extra for drizzling) - ½ cup powdered sugar (for glaze) For these soft baked maple donut bars, the ingredients are simple yet vital. The flour, baking soda, baking powder, and spices form the base. They give the bars their soft and fluffy texture. Butter, brown sugar, and eggs add richness and sweetness. Buttermilk makes the bars moist, while maple syrup brings that classic flavor. - Nuts or chocolate chips for added texture - Different sweeteners like honey or agave - Flavor enhancements like vanilla or citrus zest You can customize these bars! Add nuts for crunch or chocolate chips for a sweet twist. Try using honey or agave instead of brown sugar. For an extra zing, mix in some citrus zest. These options let you make the recipe your own. {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is key to getting soft donut bars. Prepare a 9x5 inch baking pan by greasing it lightly or using parchment paper. This makes removal easy later. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Combine 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Mix until fully combined. Set this aside for later. In a large bowl, add the softened butter and packed brown sugar. Use an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Now, add 2 large eggs to the butter and sugar. Do this one at a time. Mix well after each egg. Then, stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until combined. This adds great flavor to your bars. Next, gradually add the reserved dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Alternate this with ½ cup of buttermilk and ½ cup of pure maple syrup. Start and finish with the flour mixture. Mix gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough bars. Once the batter is ready, pour it into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top for even baking. Place the pan in your preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, your bars are ready. To keep your donut bars soft, avoid overmixing the batter. When you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix gently. This way, your bars will stay tender and fluffy. Overmixing can make them tough. Using room temperature ingredients is key. Soft butter and eggs blend well, creating a light batter. If your butter is cold, it won't mix smoothly. Let your eggs sit on the counter for about 30 minutes before using. Getting the glaze right is important for a delicious finish. Mix powdered sugar with maple syrup until it’s smooth. The glaze should be pourable but not too runny. If it's too thick, add a splash of milk or maple syrup. You can also try other glazes! A simple vanilla glaze works well, or even a chocolate glaze for a twist. Just mix powdered sugar with cocoa powder and milk for a rich flavor. When slicing your donut bars, use a sharp knife. This helps you cut even squares without tearing. Wipe the knife between cuts for clean edges. For a fun presentation, serve the bars on a rustic wooden board. Dust them with powdered sugar and drizzle extra maple syrup on top. You can also add fresh fruit or nuts for color and texture. Enjoy your beautiful, tasty creation! Pro Tips Use Fresh Spices: Ensure your ground cinnamon and nutmeg are fresh for the best flavor. Old spices can lose their potency and affect the overall taste of your donut bars. Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can lead to dense and tough bars, rather than soft and fluffy ones. Perfect Glaze Consistency: Adjust the amount of maple syrup in your glaze to achieve the perfect pourable consistency. It should be thick enough to coat but thin enough to drizzle beautifully. Storage Tips: Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, freeze them wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil. {{image_4}} You can make your donut bars even more fun! Adding nuts or chocolate chips gives them a nice crunch. - Nuts: Chop up walnuts or pecans. Mix in about ½ cup before you pour the batter into the pan. The nuts add a nice texture and flavor. - Chocolate Chips: Use ½ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. They melt just right and pair well with maple. Another fun twist is adding citrus zest. A little lemon or orange zest brightens the flavor. Just add 1 tablespoon of zest to the wet mix. This gives a fresh touch to the sweet bars. If you have dietary needs, there are easy ways to adjust this recipe. - Gluten-free: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Make sure it has xantham gum for the best texture. - Vegan: Substitute eggs with flax eggs. Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water for each egg. Use a vegan butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter. These swaps keep your bars tasty while fitting your diet. You can change the flavor with the seasons! - Pumpkin Spice Version for Fall: Add ½ cup of pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice. This makes a cozy fall treat. - Chocolate Drizzle for Special Occasions: Melt some chocolate and drizzle it over the cooled bars. This adds a rich layer that makes them feel extra special. These ideas keep your Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars exciting all year long! To keep your soft baked maple donut bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps prevent them from drying out. Place the container in a cool, dry area. Avoid direct sunlight and heat, as they can affect the taste and texture. These delicious bars stay fresh for about 3 to 5 days at room temperature. If you notice any mold, a strange smell, or a dry texture, it’s best to toss them. Always check for these signs to ensure you enjoy only the best. If you want to save some for later, freezing is a great option. Here’s how to freeze them properly: 1. Cool Completely: Let the bars cool completely after baking. 2. Wrap Individually: Wrap each bar in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. 3. Place in a Freezer Bag: Put the wrapped bars in a freezer-safe bag. Remove as much air as possible. 4. Label and Date: Write the date on the bag for easy tracking. To thaw, simply place the bars in the fridge overnight. For the best texture, warm them in the oven for a few minutes before enjoying. This way, they will taste almost fresh-baked! You can tell the donut bars are done when a toothpick comes out clean from the center. The edges may also pull away from the pan slightly. The top will look set and have a light golden color. If you see any wet batter on the toothpick, give it a few more minutes in the oven. Yes, you can use other syrups like agave or honey. These can change the taste and sweetness. If you want a similar flavor, try using a pancake syrup that has maple notes. Just remember that the texture might vary a bit with different syrups. You can make these bars without eggs by using substitutes. Common options include mashed bananas or applesauce. Use 1/4 cup of either for each egg. Another choice is flaxseed meal. Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 2.5 tablespoons of water for one egg. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to thicken before mixing it in. Look for pure maple syrup at local farmers' markets or specialty stores. Always check the label; it should say "100% pure maple syrup." Avoid syrups with added sugars or flavors. If you can, try to buy from local producers. It often has a richer taste and supports local farming. This blog post covered all the key steps to making delicious donut bars. We discussed the main and optional ingredients, plus your preparation and baking tips. Remember to keep your ingredients at the right temperature to ensure softness. Try variations like adding nuts or going gluten-free to suit your taste. Storage is simple, and I shared tips to keep them fresh. With these ideas, you can bake something special any time. Enjoy crafting your homemade donut bars!$

Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars

Deliciously soft and sweet donut bars infused with maple flavor, perfect for a cozy treat.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 9

Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients

1.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
0.5 teaspoon baking soda
0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
0.75 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
0.5 cup buttermilk
0.5 cup pure maple syrup (plus extra for drizzling)
0.5 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)

Instructions

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x5 inch baking pan by greasing it lightly or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until fully combined. Set this mixture aside for later use.
In a large mixing bowl, place the softened butter and packed brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat them together on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes, or until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
Next, add the eggs to the butter and sugar mixture, one at a time. Ensure that you mix well after each addition to fully incorporate the eggs. Then stir in the vanilla extract until combined.
Gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk and pure maple syrup. Start and finish with the flour mixture. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can lead to tough bars.
Once the batter is ready, pour it into the prepared baking pan. Using a spatula, smooth the top for even baking.
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are cooked through.
While the donut bars are baking, whip up the glaze by combining the powdered sugar with a few tablespoons of maple syrup in a small bowl. Stir until you achieve a smooth consistency that is pourable but not too runny.
After baking, allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled, drizzle the prepared glaze over the top of the bars. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before slicing the bars into squares.

Notes

Cut the donut bars into even squares and arrange them on a rustic wooden serving board. For an added touch, dust the bars lightly with powdered sugar and drizzle with additional maple syrup to create a visually appealing finish. Enjoy!

Keyword dessert, donut bars, maple