Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Maple Donut Bars are everything you love about donuts, elevated with a luxurious maple glaze that adds a perfect balance of sweetness and richness. The yeast dough gives the bars a light, airy texture, and the maple glaze ties it all together with its warm, comforting flavor. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, a special treat, or just because, these donut bars will quickly become a go-to recipe in your kitchen. Plus, the fact that they’re made from scratch makes them even more special!
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 1/2 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 3/4 cup warm milk
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 5 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Maple Glaze:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp corn syrup
- 2 tsp maple extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Froth the Yeast:
In a small bowl, combine the warm water, warm milk, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 10 minutes, until foamy. - Mix the Dough:
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, salt, remaining sugar, the foamy yeast mixture, and eggs. Using a dough hook, mix on medium-high speed until the dough starts to come together. Add the softened butter and continue mixing for about 8 minutes, until the dough is smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky. - First Rise:
Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size. - Punch Down and Second Rise:
Punch the dough down, reshape it into a ball, cover it again, and let it rise for another hour or until doubled in size. - Roll and Cut:
On a floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle about 3/4 inch thick (approximately 15×17 inches). Cut the dough into 12 equal bars using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife. Place the bars on a floured baking sheet and let them rise for 30 minutes. - Fry the Donut Bars:
Heat about 2 inches of vegetable or corn oil in a heavy pot to 360-375°F. Fry the bars for a few minutes on each side until golden brown. Once cooked, remove them from the oil and drain on paper towels. Let them cool completely. - Prepare the Maple Glaze:
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, milk, and corn syrup. Bring it to a gentle simmer, then remove from heat. Stir in the maple extract and powdered sugar until smooth and fully combined. - Glaze the Donut Bars:
Once the donut bars are cool, dip them into the maple glaze, coating one side. Place them on a wire rack to allow the glaze to set.
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Servings: 12 donut bars
Variations
- Flavor Add-ins: For an extra twist, add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough to infuse a warm, spiced flavor into the donut bars.
- Glaze Variations: Instead of using maple extract, try vanilla extract for a classic glaze or experiment with adding a splash of bourbon for a unique adult version.
- Baked Option: If you prefer not to fry, you can bake the donut bars at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown, though they may have a different texture.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: These donut bars are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you plan to store them for longer, refrigerate them for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, simply microwave the bars for a few seconds or place them in a warm oven (350°F) for a few minutes to restore their softness.
FAQs
Can I make the dough the night before?
Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before. Let it rise once, then punch it down and refrigerate overnight. The next day, let it come to room temperature before shaping, cutting, and frying.
Can I use a different type of milk?
Yes, you can use any type of milk (whole, 2%, almond, or oat milk) in this recipe. Just be sure to use warm milk to activate the yeast.
Can I use a different kind of glaze?
Yes! If you’re not a fan of maple, you can substitute the maple glaze with a chocolate glaze or a vanilla glaze. Just adjust the flavorings accordingly.
Can I freeze these donut bars?
Yes, these donut bars can be frozen. After glazing, allow them to cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months. To thaw, let them sit at room temperature for a few hours or microwave them for a few seconds.
What can I use if I don’t have maple extract?
If you don’t have maple extract, you can use maple syrup in place of the extract, though the consistency of the glaze may change slightly.
Can I make these donut bars without yeast?
You can make a similar version using baking powder or soda, but the texture will be more cake-like than yeast-based.
How can I make these donut bars more festive?
For a seasonal twist, add colorful sprinkles or edible glitter on top of the glaze, or sprinkle the bars with cinnamon sugar for a holiday vibe.
How do I get the glaze to set properly?
Make sure the donut bars are fully cooled before dipping them into the glaze. Let them sit on a wire rack after glazing so the glaze can firm up as it cools.
Can I use a stand mixer for the dough?
Yes, a stand mixer is the perfect tool for mixing and kneading the dough. Just use the dough hook attachment to make the process easier.
What oil is best for frying these donut bars?
Vegetable oil or canola oil works well for frying these donut bars because they have a neutral flavor and a high smoke point.
Conclusion
These Maple Donut Bars are the perfect homemade treat to enjoy for breakfast, dessert, or a snack any time of the day. The fluffy yeast dough, coupled with the rich and sweet maple glaze, creates a mouthwatering combination that is simply irresistible. Whether you’re making them for a family gathering or just to satisfy your sweet tooth, these donut bars are sure to be a hit. Don’t forget to share with others – though, you might just want to keep them all to yourself!
Maple Donut Bars From Scratch
Maple Donut Bars are soft, fluffy, and made from scratch with a yeast dough, topped with a rich maple glaze. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 12 donut bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
1/2 cup warm water (about 110°F)
3/4 cup warm milk
2 tsp active dry yeast
1/2 cup + 1 tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
5 large eggs
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Maple Glaze:
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tbsp milk
1 tbsp corn syrup
2 tsp maple extract
2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, warm milk, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let sit for about 10 minutes, until foamy.
- In a stand mixer, combine flour, salt, remaining sugar, foamy yeast mixture, and eggs. Mix on medium-high speed with a dough hook until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Add softened butter and mix for another 2 minutes until no longer sticky.
- Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough, reshape into a ball, cover again, and let rise for another hour.
- Roll dough into a rectangle about 3/4 inch thick. Cut into 12 bars and place on a floured baking sheet. Let rise for 30 minutes.
- Heat oil to 360-375°F. Fry bars for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels. Let cool completely.
- In a saucepan, melt butter for glaze. Stir in brown sugar, milk, and corn syrup. Bring to a simmer, remove from heat, and stir in maple extract and powdered sugar.
- Dip cooled donut bars into glaze and place on a wire rack to set.
Notes
Add cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a spiced flavor.
Try a vanilla or chocolate glaze as an alternative to maple.
For a baked option, bake the bars at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Freeze donut bars for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or microwave to warm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
