Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars offer a delightful balance of sweet maple flavor and tender texture. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a light dessert, they’re easy to make and deliciously comforting.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (or plant-based butter for vegan version)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs (or 2 flax eggs for vegan version)
• ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup milk (or almond milk for vegan version)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a square baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to combine evenly.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This helps create the bars’ soft texture.
3. Step 3: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and pure maple syrup. Gradually add the milk, mixing gently until the batter is smooth but not overworked.
4. Step 4: Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
5. Step 5: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Step 6: Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into squares. This ensures clean pieces and the best texture.

Tips & Variations

• Use pure maple syrup rather than maple-flavored syrup for the best authentic taste.
• Room temperature ingredients (eggs, butter, milk) make for a smoother batter and even baking.
• Check your oven temperature with a thermometer to avoid overbaking and drying out the bars.
• For a vegan version, substitute unsalted butter with plant-based butter and eggs with flax eggs.

Storage

Store the maple donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to one week or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven to restore softness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these donut bars gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make the bars gluten-free without sacrificing texture.

How do I make flax eggs for the vegan version?

To make one flax egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes thick and gel-like before using in the recipe.

Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 85 reviews

These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars offer a deliciously tender and moist texture infused with the warm flavors of cinnamon and pure maple syrup. Easy to prepare and perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert, these bars combine the comforting taste of classic donuts with the convenience of a baked square. Made with accessible ingredients and adaptable for gluten-free or vegan diets, they promise a delightful treat for any occasion.

• Author: Isla
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Total Time: 40-45 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (or plant-based butter for vegan version)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs (or 2 flax eggs for vegan version)
• ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup milk (or almond milk for vegan version)

Instructions

1. Prep Your Pan and Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a square baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to combine evenly.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key to achieving the bars’ soft texture.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and pure maple syrup. Gradually add the milk, mixing gently until the batter is smooth but not overworked.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
5. Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into squares.

Notes

• Use pure maple syrup, not maple-flavored syrup, for authentic taste.
• Do not overblend the batter to maintain a soft texture.
• Use room temperature ingredients (eggs, butter, milk) for a smooth batter and even baking.
• Check your oven temperature with a thermometer to prevent overbaking.
• Allow bars to cool fully before slicing for clean pieces.

Keywords: maple, donut bars, baked bars, soft texture, maple syrup, cinnamon, breakfast, snack, dessert, gluten-free option