🍁🍩✨ Indulge in Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars – Fluffy, Sweet & Perfectly Glazed!

🍁🍩✨ Indulge in Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars – Fluffy, Sweet & Perfectly Glazed!

If you love the cozy sweetness of a maple donut but crave something even softer and easier to make, meet your new favorite treat — Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars! These bars capture everything you adore about classic bakery donuts — light, tender crumb, warm maple aroma, and silky glaze — all baked instead of fried. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up, these bars are simple to whip up and taste like pure comfort. The batter is moist, the flavor is buttery and maple-rich, and the glaze gives it that irresistible shine. Whether served warm with coffee or packed as a sweet snack, these donut bars are a must-bake for every maple lover. 🍁

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 23

Servings: 8 Servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

For the Donut Bars:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter melted
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
½ cup milk
2 tsp pure maple extract or maple syrup for mild flavor
½ tsp vanilla extract

For the Maple Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
1 –2 Tbsp milk or cream to thin
1 Tbsp melted butter
Pinch of salt

Equipment

8x8-inch baking pan or donut bar mold
Mixing bowls
Whisk or hand mixer
Rubber spatula
Wire cooling rack
Saucepan (for glaze)

Method

Preheat & Prepare Pan

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper.

Mix Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Combine Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, sour cream, milk, maple extract, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.

Mix the Batter

Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix.

Bake

Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly.
Bake 20–23 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool completely before glazing.

Make the Maple Glaze

In a saucepan or small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, and milk until smooth. Add more milk as needed for a drizzle consistency.

Glaze & Slice

Pour glaze over cooled bars. Let set 10–15 minutes, then slice into rectangular “donut bars.”

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Room Temperature: Store glazed bars in an airtight container up to 3 days.

Refrigerator: Keeps for 5–6 days; warm slightly before serving.

Freezer: Freeze unglazed bars up to 2 months. Thaw and glaze when ready.

🥄 Variations

Maple Bacon Donut Bars: Add crispy bacon bits on top for a sweet-salty contrast.

Cinnamon Swirl: Add a ribbon of cinnamon-sugar through the batter before baking.

Glazed Pumpkin Maple Bars: Mix in ¼ cup pumpkin puree and a dash of pumpkin spice for a fall twist.

Nutty Maple Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before glazing.

Vegan Version: Use plant-based butter, non-dairy milk, and a flax egg substitute.

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I use real maple syrup instead of extract?
Yes—maple syrup gives a milder flavor, while extract intensifies it.

Can I bake these in a donut pan?
Definitely! Fill wells ¾ full and bake 15–18 minutes.

Can I skip the glaze?
You can, but it adds the classic donut finish.

Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes—use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Can I reduce sugar?
Slightly—try cutting 2 Tbsp without affecting texture.

What type of milk is best?
Whole milk or oat milk gives the best richness.

Can I add toppings?
Absolutely! Crushed nuts, toffee bits, or chocolate drizzle work great.

Do they taste like donuts or cake?
A perfect blend—soft like cake, dense and rich like baked donuts.

How do I make the glaze thicker?
Add more powdered sugar until you reach your desired texture.

Can I serve them warm?
Yes! Slightly warm bars taste incredible with melty glaze.

🏁 Conclusion

These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars are everything cozy mornings and sweet cravings dream of — golden, buttery bars draped in a silky maple glaze that melts in your mouth. Whether served with coffee or shared at brunch, every bite is a hug of warm, nostalgic sweetness. 🍁🍩✨