Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars are the perfect treat when you want all the cozy flavor of a maple donut in an easy, oven-baked bar form. These tender bars are rich, lightly spiced, and topped with a smooth maple glaze that melts into every bite. If you love bakery-style maple desserts, this recipe delivers comfort and sweetness without the fuss of frying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars are incredibly soft, moist, and packed with warm maple flavor. They’re simple to prepare, family-friendly, and ideal for breakfast treats, brunch spreads, or afternoon snacks. No deep frying required, and the glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the maple notes.
Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars
Ingredients
For the Bars
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup butter softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon maple extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
For the Maple Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon maple extract
- 2 –3 tablespoons milk as needed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla extract, and maple extract.
- Mix in sour cream and milk until smooth. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
- Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- To make the glaze, whisk powdered sugar, melted butter, maple syrup, and maple extract. Add milk slowly until pourable.
- Spread glaze evenly over cooled bars. Allow to set before slicing.
- These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars bake up fluffy and tender every time.
Notes
Ingredients
For the Bars
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon maple extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
For the Maple Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon maple extract
- 2–3 tablespoons milk (as needed)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla extract, and maple extract.
- Mix in sour cream and milk until smooth. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
- Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- To make the glaze, whisk powdered sugar, melted butter, maple syrup, and maple extract. Add milk slowly until pourable.
- Spread glaze evenly over cooled bars. Allow to set before slicing.
These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars bake up fluffy and tender every time.
Tips & Tricks
- Use room-temperature ingredients for a smoother batter.
- Do not overmix; this keeps the bars soft and light.
- Swap sour cream with plain Greek yogurt if needed.
- For stronger maple flavor, use dark or robust maple syrup.
Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12–16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Vegetarian, halal-friendly
Notes
These bars pair beautifully with coffee or tea. You can cut them into rectangles for a donut-shop look or squares for easy serving. Add a pinch of nutmeg for extra warmth if desired.
Nutrition (Approximate per serving)
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fat: 14g
FAQ
Can I make Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars ahead of time?
Yes, they taste even better the next day once the flavors settle.
Can I freeze maple donut bars?
Yes, freeze unglazed bars for up to 2 months. Glaze after thawing.
What kind of maple syrup works best?
Pure maple syrup gives the best flavor. Avoid pancake syrup.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, substitute dairy-free butter, sour cream, and milk alternatives.
Why are my bars dense?
Overmixing the batter can cause density. Mix just until combined.
Storage
Store Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat briefly in the microwave for a fresh-baked feel.
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Conclusion
These Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars are a must-bake for maple lovers. With their tender crumb, rich glaze, and simple preparation, they bring bakery-style comfort right into your kitchen. Once you try them, they’ll quickly become a favorite for every season.