Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars

Short description

Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars are tender, cinnamon‑spiced bars with rich maple flavor and a sweet glaze—think of cake‑like donuts baked in a pan and drizzled with glossy icing.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft, cake‑style texture reminiscent of a donut in every bite
• Warm maple and cinnamon flavor with a sweet, buttery glaze
• Easy one‑bowl prep with simple ingredients and no yeast
• Scalable—and perfect for sheet‑bake approach when you want bar treats instead of individual donuts

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the bars:

• 1 cup all‑purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• ½ cup pure maple syrup
• ½ cup milk (whole or non‑dairy as preferred)
• ¼ cup melted butter (cooled)

For the glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease and line an 8×8‑inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until evenly combined.
3. In another bowl, beat together the eggs, maple syrup, milk, and cooled melted butter until smooth.
4. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top evenly.
6. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then carefully lift them out using the parchment paper and transfer to a wire rack to cool fully.
8. While bars are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons milk until smooth and pourable.
9. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars. Once set, cut into squares or bars and serve.

Servings and timing

Makes about 9 bars (3×3 grid).
Prep time: ~10 minutes.
Bake time: 20–25 minutes.
Cooling and glazing: ~15 minutes.
Total time: about 45 minutes.

Variations

• Glaze flavor twist: Add a pinch of cinnamon or a drop of vanilla extract to the glaze.
• Nutty crunch: Stir chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter or sprinkle on top before baking.
• Chocolate swirl: Drop small dollops of chocolate chip cookie dough or melted chocolate on top before baking and swirl for a sweet contrast.
• Maple‑chai version: Add a pinch of ginger, nutmeg, or cardamom to cinnamon for a chai‑inspired spice profile.
• Mini muffins: Pour batter into mini‑muffin tins and bake about 12–15 minutes for bite‑sized donut muffins.

Storage/reheating

• Storage: Keep glazed bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for 3–4 days if your kitchen is warm.
• Freezing: Freeze uncut or cut bars (without glaze) in a freezer‑safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature and drizzle glaze before serving.
• Reheating: Warm an individual bar in the microwave for ~10 seconds or bake briefly in a 325 °F oven for 5 minutes. Add fresh glaze after warming if desired.

FAQs

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

Use a toothpick inserted in the center—it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter.

Can I use honey instead of maple syrup?

Yes—honey works, though it may slightly change the flavor and sweetness level.

What if I don’t have milk—can I use water?

Water will work, but the bars won’t be as rich. Use plant‑based milk or yogurt diluted with water for better texture.

Can I make these gluten‑free?

Yes, replace the all‑purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten‑free blend. Texture may vary slightly.

Is the cinnamon necessary?

It adds warmth and depth, but you can omit it or substitute with pumpkin pie spice for variation.

How thick should I slice the bars?

Cut into nine equal squares for about 9 servings. You can slice thinner for more servings or larger for more indulgence.

Can I make these ahead for a gathering?

Absolutely. Bake and glaze the bars, store at room temperature, and slice just before serving.

Can I skip the glaze?

You can—the bars are still delicious without it, though the glaze delivers a sweet finishing touch.

What size pan works best?

An 8×8‑inch square pan yields ideal thickness. A 9×9 pan will produce slightly thinner bars.

Should I add more melted butter for extra richness?

You can increase to ⅓ cup butter and reduce milk slightly for a richer, denser bar—just keep total wet ingredient volume similar.

Conclusion

Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars are buttery, maple‑flavored baked treats with the satisfying texture of donuts but made in a sheet pan. Quick to assemble and versatile for flavor twists, they’re perfect for breakfast, snack time, or dessert. Bake once, drizzle glaze, slice, and enjoy a crowd‑pleasing sweet treat.

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