Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Introduction

Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars offer the cozy flavor of maple syrup in a tender, cake-like treat that’s perfect for breakfast or a snack. These bars are easy to make and deliver a comforting cinnamon-spiced touch with every bite.

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. Lightly grease the parchment paper.
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 mixing bowl, whisk together 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. Be careful not to overmix to ensure soft bars.
5. Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with the spatula.
6. Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Step 7: Allow the bars to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, then lift them out using the parchment overhang and let them completely cool before slicing into bars.
8. Step 8: Once cooled, cut into desired bar sizes, serve, and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For extra warmth, add a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger to the dry ingredients.
• Swap milk for a dairy-free alternative like almond or oat milk to suit dietary needs.
• Drizzle additional maple syrup over the bars before serving for enhanced sweetness.
• Mix in chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts for added texture and flavor.

Storage

Store the baked bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in a microwave or warm oven before serving to regain softness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use maple-flavored syrup instead of pure maple syrup?

Pure maple syrup provides the best natural flavor and sweetness for this recipe, but you can use maple-flavored syrup if needed. Just keep in mind the taste may be less rich and more artificial.

How can I make these bars vegan?

To make vegan maple donut bars, replace the egg with a flax or chia egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons water) and use a plant-based milk and vegan butter alternative.

Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 136 reviews

These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars offer a delightful twist on traditional donuts with a tender, cake-like texture infused with warm cinnamon and pure maple syrup. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, these bars deliver all the comforting flavors of maple donuts in an easy-to-make, convenient square shape that’s perfect for sharing or meal prep.

• Author: Lila
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 9–12 bars 1x
• Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

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

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven 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, and lightly grease the parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until fully combined and evenly distributed.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the melted unsalted butter, pure maple syrup, milk, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold together with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain the soft texture of the bars.
5. Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly using the spatula to ensure uniform thickness.
6. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool Bars: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang and allow them to cool completely on the rack.
8. Slice and Serve: Once fully cooled, cut the bars into desired sizes and serve. Enjoy these soft baked maple donut bars as a delicious treat anytime!

Notes

• Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars soft and tender.
• Ensure the bars cool completely before cutting to prevent crumbling.
• You can substitute milk with a dairy-free alternative for a lactose-free version.
• Adjust cinnamon amount to your preferred spice level.
• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Keywords: maple donut bars, soft baked bars, maple cinnamon bars, baked donut recipe, breakfast bars, easy baked snacks