Maple Donut Bars: A Sweet, Sticky Delight

If you’re a fan of donuts and the rich, sweet flavor of maple, then Maple Donut Bars are about to become your new favorite treat. These soft and fluffy donuts are shaped into bars, fried to golden perfection, and then coated in a luscious maple glaze. The combination of a tender donut texture with the sweet, sticky glaze will make you fall in love with every bite. Perfect for breakfast or as a sweet snack, these Maple Donut Bars are sure to satisfy your cravings.

Whether you’re new to homemade donuts or an experienced baker, this recipe will guide you step by step to make these delicious treats. If you’re a fan of maple flavor, don’t forget to check out Taste Atlas for more maple-infused recipes, and for additional donut inspiration, explore Serious Eats for expert tips on frying donuts at home.

• Taste Atlas – Maple Recipes
• Serious Eats – How to Fry Donuts

Basic Recipe: Ingredients and Instructions

Maple Donut Bars are made with a simple dough that’s shaped into bars and fried until golden. The real magic happens when you dip them in the sweet maple glaze, creating a perfectly balanced treat with a wonderful mix of textures and flavors.

Maple Donut Bars Recipe: Sweet, Fluffy, and Glazed Perfection

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• Author: Jennifer Mitchell
• Total Time: 2 hours (including rise time)
• Yield: 12-14 donut bars 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Maple Donut Bars are soft, pillowy, and lightly sweetened, topped with a rich maple glaze that adds the perfect touch of flavor. These donuts are baked, not fried, making them a lighter alternative but just as delicious. They’re perfect for breakfast or dessert!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Donuts:

• ½ cup warm water
• ¾ cup warm milk
• 2 tsp dry active yeast
• ½ cup + 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 5 large eggs
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 5 ½ cups all-purpose flour

For the Maple Glaze:

• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 3 tbsp milk
• 1 tbsp corn syrup
• 2 tsp maple extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar

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Instructions

Activate the Yeast:

• In a small bowl, combine the warm water, warm milk, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Stir to dissolve, then add the dry active yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes bubbly and frothy.

Prepare the Donut Dough:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining sugar, salt, and flour.
• Melt the butter in a microwave or over low heat and allow it to cool slightly. Add the butter to the flour mixture, then add the yeast mixture and eggs.
• Stir the dough mixture with a spoon until a dough starts to form. Once it’s rough, knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-8 minutes until smooth and elastic.

First Rise:

• Place the dough in a greased bowl, covering it with a clean towel. Let it rise in a warm area for about 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

Shape the Donut Bars:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about ½-inch thickness.
• Cut the dough into rectangles or bars (about 2 inches by 4 inches) and place them onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each donut bar.

Second Rise:

• Cover the shaped donut bars with a towel and let them rise for an additional 20-30 minutes, until puffy.

Bake the Donut Bars:

• Bake the donut bars in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown on top.

Prepare the Maple Glaze:

• While the donut bars bake, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, milk, and corn syrup. Bring to a gentle boil and stir for about 2-3 minutes until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
• Remove from heat and stir in the maple extract and powdered sugar. Whisk until smooth and well-combined.

Glaze the Donut Bars:

• Once the donut bars are done baking, let them cool for a few minutes. Then, dip the top of each donut bar into the maple glaze or drizzle it over the top using a spoon.

Serve:

• Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving. These maple donut bars are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days.

Notes

• Maple Extract: If you don’t have maple extract, you can use real maple syrup for a different flavor, but the glaze might not set as thick.
• Flavor Variations: You can also add a dash of cinnamon to the donut dough for added flavor.
• Freezing: These donut bars freeze well. Simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to a month. Reheat before serving.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes (excluding rise time)
• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Baked Goods
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 donut bar
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 180mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 37g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: Maple Donut Bars

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, warm milk, and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Stir gently and sprinkle the yeast over the mixture. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, until the yeast becomes foamy and bubbly.
2. Make the donut dough: In a large bowl, mix together the remaining granulated sugar, salt, eggs, and butter. Add in the yeast mixture once it’s ready, then stir in the flour, a little at a time, until a soft dough forms. You may need to use your hands toward the end to knead the dough.
3. Knead the dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place the dough into a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
4. Shape the donut bars: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/2 inch thick. Cut the dough into rectangles (or bars) about 3 inches by 2 inches. You can use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to get clean, even cuts.
5. Heat the oil: In a deep pot or deep fryer, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Make sure the oil is deep enough to submerge the donut bars completely.
6. Fry the donut bars: Carefully lower the donut bars into the hot oil, a few at a time, and fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the donuts and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
7. Make the maple glaze: While the donuts are cooling slightly, make the glaze. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, milk, and corn syrup, stirring until the mixture is smooth and begins to bubble. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes, then remove it from the heat. Stir in the maple extract and powdered sugar, whisking until smooth.
8. Glaze the donuts: Once the donuts are cool enough to handle but still warm, dip each bar into the maple glaze, ensuring it’s fully coated. Place the glazed bars on a wire rack to allow the glaze to set.
9. Serve and enjoy: Let the glaze firm up for a few minutes, then enjoy your sweet and sticky Maple Donut Bars!

Advanced Techniques

While the basic recipe for Maple Donut Bars is simple, there are a few advanced techniques you can use to elevate the flavor and texture of these delicious treats.

Achieving the Perfect Fry

• Oil Temperature: Make sure the oil stays at a consistent temperature of around 350°F (175°C). If it’s too hot, the donut bars will cook too quickly on the outside and stay raw inside; if it’s too cool, they will absorb too much oil and become greasy. A candy thermometer is helpful for ensuring the oil temperature is just right.
• Frying in Batches: Don’t overcrowd the fryer. Fry a few donut bars at a time to avoid temperature fluctuations and ensure even cooking.

Experiment with Maple Variations

While maple extract is the most common flavoring in the glaze, you can experiment with different variations:

• Maple Syrup: For a more natural maple flavor, replace the maple extract with real maple syrup. This will give your glaze a more authentic and rich taste.
• Brown Butter Glaze: For added depth, try making a brown butter glaze. To do this, melt the butter and cook it over medium heat until it turns a light golden brown. Then, proceed with the remaining glaze ingredients.

Toppings and Mix-Ins

Add some texture and flavor contrast by adding toppings or mix-ins to your donut bars:

• Chopped Pecans: After glazing, sprinkle chopped pecans over the bars for a nutty crunch that pairs beautifully with the sweet maple flavor.
• Cinnamon Sugar: For a warm spice touch, sprinkle the donut bars with a cinnamon-sugar mixture before or after glazing.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted chocolate over the glazed bars for a decadent chocolate-maple combination.

See more advanced recipes, at Mobolux.

Storage, Shelf Life, and Maintenance Tips

Maple Donut Bars are best enjoyed fresh, but with proper storage, they can last for a few days.

Storage Tips

• Room Temperature: Store the donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They will remain soft but may lose some of their crispiness.
• Refrigeration: If you need to store them for a longer period, you can refrigerate the donut bars for up to 4 days. Just be aware that they may become a bit denser and less airy.

Freezing

To freeze Maple Donut Bars, let them cool completely and place them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. They’ll last for up to 2 months in the freezer. To reheat, simply thaw them overnight and warm them in the oven for about 5-10 minutes at 350°F (175°C).

Reheating

To refresh refrigerated or frozen Maple Donut Bars, reheat them in the oven to restore some of their original softness and glaze. You can also microwave them for about 20-30 seconds to warm them up quickly.

Dietary Adaptations and Substitutions

If you have dietary restrictions, there are several ways to adapt this recipe.

Vegan Version

To make a vegan version of Maple Donut Bars, you can substitute:

• Butter: Use plant-based butter or coconut oil instead of dairy butter.
• Eggs: Replace the eggs with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water) or a commercial egg replacer.
• Milk: Use almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk in place of dairy milk.

Gluten-Free Version

For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular all-purpose flour. Ensure that the flour blend contains xanthan gum to help with the structure of the dough. You may need to adjust the liquid amount slightly to account for the differences in absorption with gluten-free flour.

FAQs About The Recipe

Can I make these donuts ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the donut dough ahead of time, let it rise, then refrigerate it overnight. The next day, shape, fry, and glaze the donuts as usual. Alternatively, you can fry and glaze the donuts the day before, then store them at room temperature and enjoy them within 1-2 days.

Can I bake these donuts instead of frying them?

While frying is traditional for donuts, you can bake these Maple Donut Bars in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. They will have a different texture but will still be delicious.

How can I prevent the glaze from getting too runny?

If your glaze is too runny, add more powdered sugar to thicken it. If it’s too thick, you can add a little more milk to achieve your desired consistency.

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

Maple Donut Bars are the perfect balance of rich maple flavor, fluffy donut texture, and a sticky, sweet glaze. Whether you enjoy them for breakfast, brunch, or as an afternoon treat, these donuts will satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you craving more. The recipe is versatile, so feel free to experiment with different glaze flavors, toppings, and fillings to make these donuts your own.

With a few simple steps, you can create a batch of these delectable treats right at home. Happy baking, and enjoy the sweetness of homemade Maple Donut Bars!