Name: Maple Donut Bars From Scratch Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 3 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup warm water; 3/4 cup warm milk; 2 tsp dry active yeast; 1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp granulated sugar; 1/2 tsp salt; 5 large eggs; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 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

Jump to Recipe

If you’ve ever longed for bakery magic in your own kitchen, you absolutely must try these Maple Donut Bars From Scratch. Imagine pillowy yeast-raised bars, freshly fried to golden perfection, each luxuriously dipped in a silky-sweet maple glaze that bursts with authentic coziness. They’re a nostalgic classic transformed by homemade care, where every bite is fluffy, glossy, and utterly irresistible. This recipe isn’t just delicious—it’s your invitation to create something truly special, even on a lazy weekend morning.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Maple Donut Bars From Scratch Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Baking Maple Donut Bars From Scratch is surprisingly straightforward, especially when you realize how pantry-friendly the lineup is. Each ingredient serves a purposeful role, contributing its own unique character to the dough’s loft, the glaze’s shine, and that iconic maple flavor.

Warm Water: Gently activates the yeast for a tender, springy texture.
Warm Milk: Adds rich flavor and extra softness to the dough.
Dry Active Yeast: The essential ingredient for fluffy, airy donuts.
Sugar (Granulated & Brown): Sweetens both the dough and glaze, while the brown sugar deepens the frosting’s flavor.
Salt: Balances sweetness and brings out the nuanced flavors.
Eggs: Add richness and structure, making the bars extra tender.
Unsalted Butter: Makes the dough extra luscious and brings a satiny sheen to the glaze.
All-Purpose Flour: The base that holds everything together for the perfect bite.
Corn Syrup: Ensures a glossy, smooth glaze that sets beautifully on top.
Maple Extract: Delivers that signature, nostalgic maple flavor.
Milk (for glaze): Creates a creamy, pourable icing.
Powdered Sugar: Gives the glaze its classic, silky finish.
Corn or Vegetable Oil (for frying): Provides a neutral, crisp fry without overpowering the other flavors.

How to Make Maple Donut Bars From Scratch

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Begin your adventure by mixing warm water, warm milk, a little granulated sugar, and the dry active yeast together in a bowl. Give it a quick whisk—just enough to dissolve everything—and let it rest for about 10 minutes until a frothy layer forms on top. This step sets the stage for the soft, pillowy lift in your Maple Donut Bars From Scratch, so don’t rush it!

Step 2: Combine Dough Ingredients in a Stand Mixer

In the bowl of your stand mixer, add flour, salt, remaining sugar, the bubbly yeast mixture, and eggs. Using the dough hook, let the mixer work its magic on medium-high speed until the dough just starts to come together—don’t worry if it looks a little sticky at first, that’s a sign you’re on the right track.

Step 3: Enrich the Dough with Butter

Now it’s time to add softened unsalted butter to the dough. Continue mixing on medium-high speed for about 8 minutes, or until the dough is supple and pulls cleanly from the sides of the bowl. This step gives the bars their signature richness and tender crumb, so give it enough time to develop the perfect texture.

Step 4: First Rise

Transfer your beautiful dough to a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size—usually about an hour. If your kitchen runs cool, try letting it rise in a gently warmed oven. This hands-off step rewards you with luscious, airy dough.

Step 5: Punch Down and Second Rise

Once the dough has puffed up, punch it down to deflate and reshape it into a round. Let it rise again until doubled in size a second time, another hour or so. Two rises mean even lighter, more delicate Maple Donut Bars From Scratch—absolutely worth the wait!

Step 6: Roll, Cut, and Final Proof

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and shape it into a large rectangle, about 3/4 inch thick (aim for around 15×17 inches). Cut the dough into neat bars with a pizza cutter and transfer each piece to a flour-dusted baking sheet. Let them rise for another 30 minutes, just enough for a final lift before frying.

Step 7: Fry to Perfection

Heat 2 inches of corn or vegetable oil in a heavy pot to 360 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Fry each donut bar for a few minutes per side, turning when they’re beautifully golden. After frying, move them to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain and cool completely.

Step 8: Maple Glaze and Dip

Make the dreamy maple glaze by melting butter, then whisking in brown sugar, milk, and corn syrup over medium heat until it simmers. Turn off the heat, then add maple extract and powdered sugar. Stir until perfectly smooth. Dip each cooled donut bar into the glaze, letting the excess drip off before setting on a cooling rack to dry and set into that glorious, crackly finish.

How to Serve Maple Donut Bars From Scratch

Garnishes

You can keep things classic with just the glossy maple glaze, but a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or a pinch of sea salt transforms these bars into a bakery showpiece. For an extra-special morning, try a dusting of cinnamon or a drizzle of melted chocolate.

Side Dishes

Pair your Maple Donut Bars From Scratch with seasonal fresh fruit or a bowl of berries for a palette-cleansing bite. They’re heavenly with a hot mug of coffee, spiced chai, or cold brew on the side. For a brunch spread, add scrambled eggs or crispy bacon to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

These bars make stunning dessert platters: slice them in half for maple donut bar sliders filled with whipped cream or berries, or serve on a wooden board with small bowls of glaze and toppings for a donut bar buffet. For special occasions, wrap each bar in parchment and tie with twine for a charming gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Maple Donut Bars From Scratch in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To prevent the glaze from sticking, layer parchment paper between bars or gently wrap them individually for grab-and-go treats.

Freezing

You can freeze the plain, unglazed donut bars for up to one month. Let them cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and place in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature, then glaze and enjoy as fresh as the day they were made.

Reheating

If your donut bars have lost a bit of their cozy warmth, a quick 8-10 seconds in the microwave (unglazed, if possible) will restore their softness. For already glazed bars, reheat briefly in a low oven just to take the chill off and wake up those flavors.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, instant yeast works beautifully in Maple Donut Bars From Scratch! Just mix it directly with the dry ingredients, and you can skip the blooming step—though a bit of warm liquid helps ensure a light rise.

What if my dough doesn’t rise enough?

Patience is key! If your kitchen is chilly, let the dough rise in a slightly warm oven or near a window with sunlight. It also helps to check your yeast’s expiration date, because old yeast won’t give you that billowy dough you want.

Why is my glaze too runny or too thick?

Glaze consistency can change depending on your powdered sugar or humidity. If the glaze is too thin, add extra powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time. If it’s too thick, stir in a little more milk until it’s luxuriously dippable.

Can I bake these instead of frying?

You can! For baked Maple Donut Bars From Scratch, preheat your oven to 375°F, place bars on a parchment-lined sheet, and bake for 10-12 minutes until just golden. They won’t have quite the same crunch, but the flavor and fluffiness are still spectacular.

How do I make the most maple-y glaze?

Amp up the maple flavor by using high-quality maple extract, or add a teaspoon of real maple syrup. For true maple lovers, you can even sprinkle a bit of maple sugar over the still-wet glaze for authentic flavor and crunch.

Final Thoughts

You’re going to fall in love with the homemade comfort (and irresistible aroma) of these Maple Donut Bars From Scratch. Whether you make them for a weekend treat, a family celebration, or just because you crave something magical, I promise they’ll disappear faster than you can say “homemade bakery bliss.” Grab your favorite mug, round up the simple ingredients, and let these donut bars bring a little bakery wonder right to your kitchen!

Maple Donut Bars From Scratch Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 15 reviews

Author: Lila
Total Time: 3 hours
Yield: 12 donut bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Learn how to make delicious Maple Donut Bars from scratch with this easy-to-follow recipe. These fluffy donuts are fried to perfection and coated in a sweet maple glaze for the ultimate treat.

Instructions

Froth up the yeast – Combine warm water, warm milk, 1 tbsp sugar, and yeast. Let it foam for 10 minutes.
Combine everything in a stand mixer – Mix flour, salt, sugar, yeast mixture, and eggs. Add butter and mix until smooth.
Let the dough rise – Allow the dough to double in size for about 1 hour.
Punch and proof a second time – Punch down dough, reshape, and let rise again.
Roll, cut, and proof the donuts again – Roll out dough, cut into bars, and let rise.
Fry the donuts – Fry donut bars until golden brown on both sides.
Make the maple glaze and dip – Prepare glaze with butter, brown sugar, milk, corn syrup, maple extract, and powdered sugar. Dip cooled donuts in glaze.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American