Dessert

Irresistible Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars Recipe

ByZoe Lane October 19, 2025October 19, 2025

Introduction

These soft baked maple donut bars are a delightful treat that combines the comforting flavors of cinnamon and maple syrup in every bite. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, they’re easy to make and irresistibly tender.

The image shows a white plate with five rectangular cake bars topped with a smooth, light brown glaze. The cake bars have two layers: a golden-brown base layer with a soft texture and a shiny, creamy glaze layer on top. The plate is on a wooden table with a white marbled background. In the background, there is a white tea set with a cup, teapot, and saucer, along with more cake bars cooling on a dark wire rack. The lighting is soft, and the scene looks warm and inviting. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup milk (whole or non-dairy)
1/4 cup melted butter (cooled)
For glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar
For glaze: 2 tbsp milk

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.
Step 3: In another bowl, beat the eggs, maple syrup, milk, and melted butter until smooth and fully blended.
Step 4: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined; avoid overmixing.
Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
Step 6: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Mix the powdered sugar with milk to create the glaze and drizzle it over the cooled bars.

Tips & Variations

For a dairy-free version, substitute melted butter and milk with coconut oil and almond milk respectively.
Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the batter for extra texture and flavor.
Ensure eggs are at room temperature to help the batter mix more evenly and rise better.
Use pure maple syrup for the best authentic flavor instead of imitation syrups.

Storage

Store the donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to enjoy a warm, soft treat. The glaze may absorb some moisture over time but will still be delicious.

How to Serve

A white plate with a grey floral pattern is filled with seven square pastry pieces, each topped with a smooth, light tan icing that covers the entire surface. The pastries have a golden brown base visible along the edges, showing a soft, slightly textured dough underneath the icing. The plate is set on a warm wooden table, and in the background, there is a white teapot with a floral design, a white cup filled with a dark beverage, and a cooling rack holding more pastries. The overall scene is cozy and inviting, with natural light highlighting the shiny, glossy icing. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different size baking dish?

Using a dish slightly larger or smaller than 8×8 inches is possible, but it may affect baking time. If your dish is larger, the bars will be thinner and cook faster; if smaller, they may need extra time to bake through.

Can I make these bars vegan?

Yes, you can replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg) and use plant-based butter and milk alternatives to make a vegan version.