Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Introduction

Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars offer the perfect balance of tender crumb and rich maple flavor, making them a delightful treat for breakfast or an afternoon snack. These bars are easy to prepare and satisfy any donut craving without the need for frying.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal, and lightly grease the parchment.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until combined.
3. Step 3: In another bowl, whisk the melted butter, maple syrup, milk, egg, and vanilla extract until well blended.
4. Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars soft.
5. Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with the spatula.
6. Step 6: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Step 7: Cool the bars in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, then lift them out using the parchment overhang and let them cool completely.
8. Step 8: Cut into bars of your desired size, serve, and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, sprinkle a little nutmeg or allspice along with the cinnamon in the dry ingredients.
• Substitute milk with almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version.
• Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the batter for added texture.
• Ensure not to overmix the batter to maintain a tender, soft texture.

Storage

Store the maple donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to a week or freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm the bars briefly in the microwave or oven to regain softness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular sugar instead of brown sugar?

Yes, you can use all granulated sugar, but brown sugar adds moisture and a slight caramel flavor that complements the maple syrup.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend, making sure it contains xanthan gum for proper texture.

Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 108 reviews

• Author: Thomas
• Total Time: 30-35 minutes
• Yield: 9–12 bars 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars combine the comforting flavors of maple syrup and warm cinnamon in a tender, cake-like bar. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, these bars boast a soft texture and subtle sweetness, baked to golden perfection in an easy 8-inch square pan.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well combined to ensure an even distribution of leavening and spices.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the melted unsalted butter, pure maple syrup, milk, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
4. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold with a spatula until just combined. Take care not to overmix to keep the bars soft and tender.
5. Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with the spatula for uniform thickness and even baking.
6. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
7. Cool: Remove the pan from oven and allow the bars to cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Then, using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bars from the pan and let them cool completely to set properly.
8. Slice and Serve: Once cooled, cut the bars into desired sizes. Serve as a delicious breakfast treat or snack and enjoy the soft maple-infused flavor.

Notes

• Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars soft and cakey.
• Using parchment paper with overhang makes removal and slicing easier.
• These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with almond milk or oat milk, and use dairy-free butter.
• Try adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips into the batter for added texture and flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: maple donut bars, soft baked bars, breakfast bars, maple syrup dessert, cinnamon bars, baked donut bars