There’s nothing quite like the sweet, comforting aroma of freshly made donuts. These Homemade Maple Donut Bars bring the classic bakery experience right into your kitchen. This recipe delivers perfectly fluffy, golden-brown bars with a rich, velvety maple glaze that will have everyone reaching for a second. Forget the morning donut run; this is the only recipe you’ll ever need.
We’ve designed this guide to be simple and straightforward, perfect for both seasoned bakers and enthusiastic beginners. Get ready to create the most delicious maple long johns you’ve ever tasted.
Why This Homemade Maple Donut Bars Recipe is a Must-Try
This isn’t just another donut recipe; it’s a game-changer for your breakfast and dessert rotation. It’s crafted for the home cook who craves bakery-quality treats without the fuss.
- Incredibly Fluffy Texture: The dough is soft, airy, and rises beautifully, creating a light and chewy donut bar that melts in your mouth.
- Rich & Authentic Maple Flavor: We use pure maple syrup in the glaze for a deep, authentic flavor that is leagues above artificial alternatives.
- Simple, Step-by-Step Instructions: From activating the yeast to glazing the final product, our clear instructions ensure your success.
- Versatile Cooking Methods: While classic frying yields the most authentic result, we also provide instructions for a baked version for those who prefer it.
–
–
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Maple Donut Bars
Creating these delightful treats starts with simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Donut Dough
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural foundation for our light and airy donut bars.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides a touch of sweetness and helps activate the yeast.
- Active Dry Yeast: The leavening agent that gives the donuts their signature rise and fluffy texture.
- Whole Milk: Adds richness and moisture to the dough. Ensure it’s lukewarm to properly activate the yeast.
- Unsalted Butter: Contributes to a tender crumb and rich flavor.
- Egg: Acts as a binder and adds to the richness of the dough.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
For the Maple Glaze
- Powdered Sugar: The base for our smooth, sweet glaze. Sift it to avoid lumps.
- Pure Maple Syrup: The star of the show! Use a quality pure maple syrup for the best, most authentic flavor.
- Milk or Cream: Thins the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency.
- Vanilla Extract: Complements the maple flavor beautifully.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Homemade Maple Donut Bars
Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of irresistible maple bars. This process is broken down to make it easy and enjoyable.
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. In a separate smaller bowl, dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. Pour the yeast mixture into the dry ingredients, then add the melted butter and egg. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead on a lightly floured surface for 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Shape the Bars
Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a rectangle about 1/2-inch thick. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, slice the dough into rectangular bars, approximately 4 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. Place the shaped bars on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover them loosely, and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes until they are puffy.
Step 3: Fry the Donut Bars
While the bars are rising, heat about 2 inches of vegetable or canola oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place a few bars at a time into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 1-2 minutes per side, or until they are a beautiful golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the donuts from the oil and place them on a wire rack to cool slightly.
Step 4: Make the Maple Glaze & Finish
While the donuts cool, prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, pure maple syrup, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add a little more milk. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar. Dip the top of each warm donut bar into the glaze, letting any excess drip off. Place the glazed bars back on the wire rack to allow the glaze to set. Serve warm and enjoy!
Prefer a Baked Version? Here’s How
For a lighter, no-fry option, you can bake these Homemade Maple Donut Bars. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). After shaping the bars and letting them complete their second rise, place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Once baked, let them cool slightly before dipping them in the maple glaze as instructed above. For another fantastic baked good, try our Libby's Pumpkin Roll Recipe.
Pro Tips for Bakery-Quality Results
A few expert tips can elevate your homemade donuts from good to absolutely unforgettable.
- Check Your Yeast: Ensure your yeast is fresh and properly activated. If it doesn’t get foamy in the warm milk, it’s best to start over with new yeast.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Frying too many donuts at once will lower the oil temperature, leading to greasy, undercooked results.
- Watch the Oil Temperature: Use a thermometer to keep the oil temperature consistent. If it’s too hot, the outside will burn before the inside cooks. If it’s too cool, the donuts will absorb too much oil.
- Glaze While Warm: The glaze will adhere best to the donut bars when they are still slightly warm from the fryer.
Storing Your Homemade Donut Bars
These maple donut bars are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are made. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The glaze may become slightly sticky, but they will still be delicious. If you’re looking for another comforting recipe, our Old-Fashioned Goulash is a family favorite.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maple Donut Bars
These donut bars are best enjoyed the same day they are made for the freshest taste and texture. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
All-purpose flour provides the best balance of structure and tenderness for this recipe. While you could substitute bread flour, it may result in a chewier donut. We do not recommend using cake flour as it may not be strong enough.
The donuts cook very quickly. They are done when they are a deep golden brown on both sides, which typically takes about 1-2 minutes per side. They will also float to the top of the oil when they are ready.
The consistency of the glaze is easy to adjust. If it’s too thin, simply whisk in a little more powdered sugar until it reaches your desired thickness. If it’s too thick, add milk or cream, one teaspoon at a time, until it’s perfect for dipping.
A neutral oil with a high smoke point is best for frying donuts. We recommend using canola, vegetable, or peanut oil for clean-tasting, perfectly golden results.
More Breakfast & Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
If you loved making these donut bars, you might also enjoy our Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls for another delightful breakfast treat. For a savory option, our Ground Beef Casserole is a guaranteed winner.
Homemade Maple Donut Bars
Homemade Maple Donut Bars (The Easiest Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in lukewarm milk and let it foam for 5 minutes. Pour the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg into the dry ingredients. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place it in an oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
- Gently punch down the risen dough. Roll it out to a 1/2-inch thickness and cut into 4x1.5 inch rectangular bars. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover loosely, and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy.
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the bars for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown. Do not overcrowd the pot. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack to cool slightly.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Dip the top of each warm donut bar into the glaze. Return to the wire rack to let the glaze set. Serve warm.
Notes
Tip 2: For a richer flavor, you can brown the butter for the dough before adding it.
Tip 3: Don't skip the second rise! This step is crucial for achieving a light, airy texture in the final product.
Share Your Creation!
We are so excited for you to try this recipe! If you make these Homemade Maple Donut Bars, we would love to see them. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below or tag us on Pinterest. Happy baking!
