Maple Donut Bars Recipe – Homemade, Easy, and Delicious

Growing up, I loved sneaking into the kitchen with my family to bake sweet treats. Maple donut bars quickly became our favorite—soft, sweet, and perfectly glazed, just like the ones from the bakery. This recipe is quick, easy, and family-friendly, perfect for busy mornings or special occasions. Whether you want homemade maple donut bars or the best maple bar recipe to impress, this guide makes it simple, fun, and delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Maple donut bars are one of those irresistible treats that bring the bakery right into your kitchen. Soft, sweet, and perfectly glazed, these homemade maple donut bars are quick, easy, and family-friendly. Whether you’re craving baked maple donut bars for a cozy breakfast or the best maple bar recipe to impress your friends, this recipe delivers every time. The balance of sweet maple glaze and tender donut texture makes these maple bars a comforting indulgence, perfect for busy mornings, weekend brunches, or special occasions. You’ll love how customizable these homemade maple donut bars are—you can bake them for a healthier twist or fry them for that classic soft, airy texture. With every bite of these maple donut bars, you get a taste of warmth and nostalgia, making them the perfect treat for kids and adults alike. Easy, flavorful, and irresistible, this maple bar recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves sweet, soft, and perfectly glazed maple treats.

Ingredients for This Recipe

To make the perfect maple donut bars, it’s important to understand each ingredient and how it contributes to the final result. All-purpose flour provides structure and softness, while baking powder and baking soda help the bars rise and stay tender. A pinch of salt enhances flavor, and ground nutmeg adds a subtle warmth that complements the maple glaze. Granulated sugar sweetens the donuts, while melted butter keeps them moist and rich. Buttermilk balances the sweetness and ensures a soft, airy texture. Eggs bind the ingredients and provide stability, while vanilla extract adds a comforting aroma. The maple glaze combines powdered sugar with pure maple syrup, milk, and vanilla to create a smooth, sweet topping that perfectly coats the bars. This combination of ingredients guarantees that your homemade maple donut bars will be soft, sweet, and irresistible, whether you bake them for a quick breakfast or a special treat.

🛒 Ingredients (for 12 bars):

For the Donuts:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Maple Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
3–4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons milk (adjust for consistency)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Make This Recipe

Making maple donut bars at home is easier than you might think, and understanding each step ensures perfect, soft, and sweet results every time. Start by combining the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg—to give your bars structure and subtle flavor. In a separate bowl, mix melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla for richness and moisture. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients with buttermilk to create a smooth, tender batter. Pour the batter into a prepared pan and bake until golden. While the bars cool, make the maple glaze by whisking powdered sugar, pure maple syrup, milk, and vanilla into a smooth, pourable glaze. Drizzle generously over your cooled maple donut bars to achieve the perfect sweet finish. These homemade maple donut bars are soft, sweet, and irresistibly glazed, making them a favorite for breakfasts, snacks, or special occasions. With this step-by-step maple bar recipe, you’ll enjoy bakery-quality maple bars right at home.

🛒 Steps to Make Maple Donut Bars:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch pan
Whisk together 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 2 ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp ground nutmeg
In a large bowl, mix ¾ cup granulated sugar and ½ cup melted butter
Add 2 eggs and 2 tsp vanilla extract to the sugar-butter mixture
Alternately add dry ingredients and 1 cup buttermilk to create a smooth batter
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 25–30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean
Allow bars to cool completely before glazing
Whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 3–4 tbsp pure maple syrup, 2 tbsp milk, and ½ tsp vanilla for the maple glaze
Pour glaze evenly over cooled bars
Slice into 12 soft, sweet, and perfectly glazed homemade maple donut bars

Expert Cooking Tips

To make the ultimate maple donut bars, paying attention to the ingredients and techniques is key. Using all-purpose flour ensures the bars stay soft but hold their shape, while baking powder and baking soda create the perfect rise. Melted butter adds richness and keeps your homemade maple donut bars moist, and buttermilk balances the sweetness for tender results. Eggs bind everything together and give structure, while vanilla enhances the warm, comforting flavor. The maple glaze is essential—using pure maple syrup ensures a sweet, natural finish. Following these tips will make your baked maple donut bars soft, sweet, and perfectly glazed every time, whether for family breakfasts, weekend brunches, or a special homemade treat. With these expert tips, your maple donut bars will taste like bakery-quality maple bars and become a go-to recipe for any occasion.

💡 Expert Tips for Maple Donut Bars:

Use room-temperature eggs and butter for a smooth, consistent batter
Do not overmix the batter to keep bars tender and soft
Sift the flour and powdered sugar to avoid lumps in your baked maple donut bars
Grease and line your pan to easily remove homemade maple donut bars after baking
Cool bars completely before glazing to prevent the maple glaze from melting off
Adjust maple glaze consistency with milk or maple syrup for a perfect pour
Experiment with frying or baking to customize texture—fried maple donut bars are soft and airy
Store bars in an airtight container to maintain sweetness and freshness

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Making homemade maple donut bars is a simple way to enjoy a bakery favorite right in your kitchen. Soft, sweet, and perfectly glazed, these maple bars are perfect for breakfasts, snacks, or special occasions. Whether you choose baked maple donut bars for a healthier twist or fried for that classic texture, this best maple bar recipe delivers consistently tender and flavorful results. With this recipe, homemade maple donut bars will become a family favorite and a go-to treat any time of year.

Maple Donut Bars

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Soft, sweet, and perfectly glazed, these rectangular Maple Donut Bars are a homemade twist on the classic bakery favorite. Light, airy, and topped with a rich maple glaze, they’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an indulgent snack.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (for 12 bars):

For the Donuts:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, for classic flavor)

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 2 large eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Maple Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 3–4 tablespoons pure maple syrup

• 2 tablespoons milk (adjust for consistency)

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Make the Donut Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg.
In a large bowl, mix melted butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, then vanilla.
Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing gently until smooth.

Step 3: Bake the Bars
Pour batter evenly into prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan.

Step 4: Make the Maple Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Adjust thickness by adding more milk (for thinner glaze) or powdered sugar (for thicker glaze).

Step 5: Glaze the Bars
Once bars are cooled, pour glaze evenly over the top. Let set for 20–30 minutes before slicing into 12 rectangular bars.

Notes

• • Fried Version: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry donut-shaped rectangles for 2–3 minutes per side for a classic texture.

  • Healthy Option: Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour and bake instead of frying.

  • Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert / Breakfast Treat
• Method: Baked (or fried)
• Cuisine: American