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2026 Maple Donut Bars with Real Maple Glaze

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3.9 from 52 reviews

Delight in homemade Maple Donut Bars made from scratch with a fluffy yeast dough and a rich, glossy maple glaze that melts in your mouth. Perfectly golden fried bars bring a comforting taste of classic American sweets with a luscious finish of sweet maple flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough

  • 1 cup Warm Water (activates yeast; ensure it’s warm but not too hot)
  • 1 cup Warm Milk (adds moisture and richness; substitute with almond or soy milk for a dairy-free option)
  • 3 tablespoons Sugar (provides sweetness and feeds the yeast; coconut sugar can be used for a healthier alternative)
  • 2 teaspoons Yeast (the leavening agent that gives fluffiness; check for freshness for best results)
  • 4 cups Flour (essential for structure; all-purpose flour works well, or try bread flour for a chewier texture)
  • 1 teaspoon Salt (enhances flavor; sea salt recommended)
  • 2 large Eggs (binds ingredients together; flax eggs for vegan substitute)
  • ½ cup Softened Butter (adds buttery flavor and moisture; unsweetened applesauce for lighter alternative)

For Frying

  • 4 cups Vegetable or Corn Oil (necessary for frying; peanut or canola oil are good substitutes)

For the Glaze

  • 1 cup Brown Sugar (sweetens the glaze; both light and dark brown sugar will work)
  • ¼ cup Milk (contributes creaminess; dairy-free milk can be used)
  • ½ cup Corn Syrup (provides shine and prevents crystallization; honey as a substitute)
  • 2 teaspoons Maple Extract (delivers signature maple flavor; real maple syrup can be used instead)
  • 2 cups Powdered Sugar (functions as sweetener and thickener for the glaze; sift for smooth finish)

Instructions

  1. Froth the Yeast: Mix warm water, warm milk, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes foamy and bubbly, ensuring the yeast is activated for fluffy donut bars.
  2. Mix the Dough: In a stand mixer, combine flour, salt, the remaining sugar, and the frothy yeast mixture. Add in the eggs and softened butter, kneading for about 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and stretchy.
  3. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and set in a warm spot. Let it rise for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
  4. Punch Down and Second Rise: Gently punch down the risen dough to release air, reshape it, cover again, and let it rise for another hour until puffed up.
  5. Roll and Cut: Roll the dough into a large rectangle approximately 15 by 17 inches. Cut into 12 equal bars and let them rise for an additional 30 minutes on a floured baking sheet.
  6. Fry the Donut Bars: Heat oil in a deep pot or fryer to 360-375°F. Carefully fry the bars until golden brown, about a few minutes per side. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  7. Prepare the Maple Glaze: In a saucepan, melt butter and stir in brown sugar, milk, and corn syrup. Bring to a simmer, then mix in maple extract and powdered sugar until smooth and glossy.
  8. Glaze the Donut Bars: Once fried bars have cooled slightly, dip them into the warm maple glaze ensuring even coating. Set on a wire rack to allow the glaze to set perfectly.

Notes

  • For added crunch, top the glaze with chopped nuts.

Find it online: https://yumfoodusa.com/2026-maple-donut-bars-with-real-maple-glaze/