Maple Donut Bars

Featured in desserts.

Hey friend! Get ready to fall in love with these incredible maple donut bars! Just imagine biting into that tender, cake-like donut with the most amazing glossy maple glaze that literally melts in your mouth. The way that golden amber coating drips down the sides is pure perfection! These beauties are so much better than store-bought and surprisingly easy to make at home. Your kitchen will smell absolutely divine while they're baking, and trust me, the hardest part will be waiting for them to cool before diving in. The combination of that soft, fluffy texture with the rich maple sweetness is simply irresistible - you're going to want to make these every weekend!

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Updated on Sat, 24 May 2025 20:04:27 GMT
Golden maple glazed donut bars arranged on white parchment with caramel drips pin it
Golden maple glazed donut bars arranged on white parchment with caramel drips | lonerecipes.com

I first discovered the magic of baked donut bars during a cozy autumn morning when I was experimenting in my kitchen. The idea came to me while staring at a bottle of pure maple syrup and wondering how to capture that perfect pancake-breakfast flavor in a handheld treat. These bars have that wonderful cake-donut texture that's neither too dense nor too light - just perfectly tender and satisfying. The real star is the maple glaze that I've perfected over countless batches. It's glossy enough to catch the light beautifully but thick enough to coat each bar generously. What I love most is how the glaze seeps slightly into the cake, creating these amazing pockets of concentrated maple sweetness. The bars have become my go-to recipe when I want to impress guests or treat my family to something special. Every bite delivers that nostalgic comfort of a classic donut shop experience, but with the satisfaction of knowing you made it from scratch with love.

Why I love this recipe

This recipe holds a special place in my heart because it perfectly captures the essence of cozy weekend mornings. There's something magical about the way these bars fill the house with the warm scent of vanilla and maple while they bake. I love how forgiving this recipe is - even if the glaze isn't perfectly smooth or the bars aren't identical in size, they still taste absolutely incredible. The texture is what really sets these apart from regular donuts; they're substantial enough to feel satisfying but light enough that you can easily enjoy two without feeling overwhelmed. What touches my heart most is watching my family's faces when I place a fresh batch on the table. The recipe reminds me that the best treats aren't always the most complicated ones - sometimes simple ingredients combined with a little patience and love create the most memorable moments. These bars have been present at birthday mornings, lazy Sunday brunches, and countless coffee dates with friends, making them more than just a recipe - they're a vessel for creating sweet memories.

What You Need From Your Kitchen

  • All-purpose flour: Forms the base structure of the donut bars
  • Granulated sugar: Sweetens the donut and helps create tender texture
  • Melted butter: Adds richness and moisture to the bars
  • Whole milk: Provides moisture and helps create the cake-like texture
  • Pure maple syrup: The star ingredient that gives the glaze its distinctive flavor
  • Heavy cream: Creates a smooth, glossy glaze consistency
  • Powdered sugar: Forms the base of the maple glaze coating

Let's Make These Together

Prepare Your Workspace
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and generously greasing your 9x13 inch baking pan. This ensures your donut bars won't stick and will release easily after baking. Gather all your ingredients and measuring tools to make the process smooth and enjoyable.
Create the Perfect Batter
In your largest mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed. In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla, whisking until the mixture is completely smooth and unified.
Combine with Care
Pour your wet ingredients into the dry mixture and gently fold together using a spatula or wooden spoon. Mix just until the ingredients are combined - you should still see a few small lumps, which is perfect for tender donuts.
Bake to Golden Perfection
Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan and slide it into the preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, checking with a toothpick for doneness. The bars should spring back lightly when touched and pull slightly from the edges of the pan.
Create the Maple Magic
While your donuts cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, heavy cream, and butter until you achieve a smooth, pourable consistency. The glaze should coat the back of a spoon but still drizzle easily when lifted.
Recipe picture pin it
Soft cake donut bars covered in glossy maple glaze photographed from above | lonerecipes.com

Switch Things Up

I remember the first time I made these donut bars, I was craving something between a donut and a cake but didn't want to deal with frying. The smell of maple syrup warming in the kitchen took me right back to childhood pancake breakfasts. What started as an experiment became our family's most requested weekend treat. My kids now help me drizzle the glaze, and watching their faces light up when they see that golden coating cascade down the sides never gets old. These bars have become our special Saturday morning tradition, and honestly, they taste even better when made with little helping hands.

Perfect Pairings

These maple donut bars pair beautifully with a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee or rich hot chocolate. For a decadent brunch spread, serve them alongside crispy bacon or breakfast sausage to balance the sweetness. They also complement fresh berries wonderfully - try serving with strawberries or blueberries for a pop of tartness. A glass of cold milk is always a classic pairing, especially for the kids.

Homemade rectangular donuts with thick amber maple coating and natural imperfections pin it
Homemade rectangular donuts with thick amber maple coating and natural imperfections | lonerecipes.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the donut bars up to 2 days ahead and store them covered. Add the glaze just before serving for the best appearance and texture.

→ What if I don't have pure maple syrup?

Pure maple syrup is essential for the authentic flavor, but in a pinch, you can substitute with 3 tablespoons honey plus 1/4 teaspoon maple extract.

→ Can I freeze these donut bars?

The unglazed bars freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before glazing. Glazed bars don't freeze as successfully.

→ Why are my donut bars dense?

Dense bars usually result from overmixing the batter or using too much flour. Mix just until ingredients are combined and measure flour by spooning it into the cup.

→ How do I know when the glaze consistency is right?

The perfect glaze should coat the back of a spoon and drizzle in a steady ribbon when lifted. If too thick, add cream; if too thin, add powdered sugar.

Conclusion

These maple donut bars bring bakery-quality sweetness right to your kitchen. The tender crumb paired with that glossy maple glaze creates the perfect balance of textures and flavors. They're ideal for weekend brunches, special occasions, or whenever you need a comforting homemade treat. Store them covered for up to three days, though they're best enjoyed fresh from the oven when the glaze is still slightly warm.

Maple Donut Bars

Soft baked donut bars topped with glossy maple glaze for the perfect sweet breakfast treat.

Prep Time
25 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes
By: chris

Category: desserts

Difficulty: easy

Cuisine: North American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 balls)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Contains Gluten

Ingredients

012 cups all-purpose flour
023/4 cup granulated sugar
032 teaspoons baking powder
041/2 teaspoon salt
051/3 cup melted butter
062/3 cup whole milk
072 large eggs
081 teaspoon vanilla extract
091 1/2 cups powdered sugar
101/4 cup pure maple syrup
113 tablespoons heavy cream
122 tablespoons butter

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

Step 02

In a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined - don't overmix.

Step 03

Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

Step 04

While donuts cool, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, heavy cream, and butter until smooth. The glaze should be thick enough to coat but thin enough to drizzle.

Step 05

Cut the cooled donut cake into rectangular bars. Dip each bar face-down into the glaze, then place on a wire rack to set. Allow glaze to firm up for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  1. Use pure maple syrup for the best flavor - artificial syrup won't provide the same rich taste
  2. Don't overmix the batter as this can result in tough, dense donuts
  3. Make sure the donuts are completely cool before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off
  4. Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days
  5. For extra maple flavor, add 1/4 teaspoon maple extract to the batter

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13 inch baking pan
  • Large mixing bowls
  • Wire whisk
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains gluten from wheat flour
  • Contains dairy from milk, butter, and cream
  • Contains eggs

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 285
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 42 g
  • Protein: 4 g

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