Maple Donut Bars Recipe
Introduction
These Maple Donut Bars offer a delightful twist on traditional donuts, baked in a convenient bar form. With a tender crumb spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and a luscious maple glaze on top, they’re perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack.

Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 1-2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
- Extra maple syrup for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk the dry ingredients together until well mixed.
- Step 3: In another bowl, whisk the melted butter, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup until the mixture is smooth.
- Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold the mixture with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. A few lumps are okay—avoid overmixing.
- Step 5: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan using a spatula.
- Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges are lightly golden.
- Step 7: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Step 8: While cooling, prepare the maple glaze. In a medium bowl, mix powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk, whisking until smooth.
- Step 9: Add more milk a little at a time until the glaze is thick but pourable—coating the back of a spoon.
- Step 10: Stir in 2 tablespoons of maple syrup for extra flavor.
- Step 11: Once the bars are fully cooled, place them on a serving platter.
- Step 12: Drizzle the maple glaze evenly over the bars using a spoon or small spatula.
- Step 13: Optionally, drizzle extra maple syrup over the glazed bars for added sweetness and presentation.
- Step 14: Let the glaze set for 10-15 minutes before slicing the bars into squares or rectangles.
Tips & Variations
- Use parchment paper to line the pan for easy removal and cleaner edges.
- For a richer flavor, substitute half the milk with buttermilk.
- Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the batter for extra texture.
- Adjust the glaze thickness by adding more powdered sugar or milk as needed.
- Serve warm with a drizzle of warm maple syrup for a comforting treat.
Storage
Store leftover donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. To refresh, warm them briefly in the microwave before serving. The glaze may soften when refrigerated, so let the bars come to room temperature before eating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of flour?
All-purpose flour works best for the right texture, but you can try whole wheat flour for a denser, nuttier bar. If using whole wheat, consider mixing it with all-purpose flour for a lighter result.
How do I make the bars dairy-free?
Substitute the whole milk with a plant-based milk like almond or oat milk, and use a dairy-free butter alternative or coconut oil in place of butter.
Print
Maple Donut Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 12–15 bars 1x
Description
These Maple Donut Bars combine the comforting flavors of classic donuts with the convenience of bar form. Soft, moist, and packed with warm spices, the bars are topped with a luscious maple glaze that adds the perfect touch of sweetness. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful snack, they are easy to prepare and sure to please any crowd.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
Maple Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (for glaze)
- Extra maple syrup for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Whisk these together until well mixed.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, whole milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold the mixture together using a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined, leaving a few lumps to avoid overmixing.
- Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and edges are lightly golden.
- Cool: Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Maple Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon milk until smooth. Add additional milk as needed to reach thick yet pourable consistency. Stir in 2 tablespoons maple syrup for flavor.
- Glaze Bars: Once the bars are completely cooled, drizzle the maple glaze evenly over the top using a spoon or small spatula.
- Optional Extra Drizzle: For added sweetness and presentation, drizzle extra maple syrup over the glazed bars.
- Set Glaze: Allow glaze to set for 10-15 minutes before slicing into squares or rectangles and serving.
Notes
- Ensure the bars are completely cooled before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting and running off.
- You can substitute whole milk with a plant-based milk for a dairy-free option, but it may slightly affect texture.
- For a stronger maple flavor, increase the maple syrup in the batter or glaze slightly.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These bars can also be frozen before glazing; thaw completely before adding glaze.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: maple donut bars, baked donut bars, maple glaze bars, breakfast bars, easy baked donuts, maple dessert

