Introduction

These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars offer the perfect blend of tender cake-like texture and rich maple flavor. They’re an easy treat to enjoy any time of day, bringing a warm, comforting sweetness to your kitchen.

The image shows four rectangular, golden-brown cakes stacked on a white plate with a dark blue abstract line pattern. Each cake has a thick, light tan glaze smoothly covering the top and slightly dripping down the sides. In the background, there is a white cup and saucer filled with light brown coffee, and behind that, another white plate with more glazed cakes sits on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup milk (whole or non-dairy)
1/4 cup melted butter (cooled)
For glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar
For glaze: 2 tbsp milk

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, maple syrup, milk, and melted butter together until the mixture is smooth.
Step 4: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly with a spatula.
Step 6: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Mix the powdered sugar and milk to create the glaze, then drizzle it over the cooled bars.

Tips & Variations

Use a combination of half whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor and added nutrition.
Swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice or nutmeg for a different warm spice profile.
For extra maple flavor, add a teaspoon of maple extract to the glaze.
If using non-dairy milk, almond or oat milk work wonderfully and keep the texture moist.

Storage

Store the maple donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to enjoy the soft texture.

How to Serve

Four rectangular golden-brown cakes with a slightly crispy edge are stacked on a speckled white plate, placed on a black metal cooling rack. Each cake is thickly covered with smooth, light beige glaze that drips gently down the sides, giving a shiny, creamy texture on top. In the background, there's a white cup with dark rim filled with more glaze, sitting on a wooden table with a soft focus flower on the side. The whole scene rests on a white marbled texture surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder for best results.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The bars are done when they are golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft.

Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 144 reviews

These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars are a delightful treat combining the comforting flavors of maple syrup and cinnamon in a moist, cake-like bar. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, they feature a tender crumb with a sweet maple glaze that adds a perfect finishing touch.

Author: Cleo
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Yield: 9 bars (cut into 3x3 grid) 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

2 large eggs (room temperature)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup milk (whole or non-dairy)
1/4 cup melted butter (cooled)

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until well combined.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat the eggs, pure maple syrup, milk, and cooled melted butter until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, folding gently and stirring just until all components are combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the texture tender.
Bake the Batter: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool Bars: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
Prepare and Apply Glaze: Mix powdered sugar with milk to form a smooth glaze. Drizzle this glaze over the cooled bars using a spoon or piping bag for an elegant finish.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, use a non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk and substitute butter with a plant-based alternative.
Ensure eggs are at room temperature to help the batter mix more evenly.
Don’t overmix the batter to keep the bars soft and fluffy.
Allow bars to cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting into the bars.
These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for longer freshness.

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