Maple Bar Donut Recipe

If you’ve ever craved that pillowy, maple-glazed goodness from your favorite donut shop, this Maple Bar Donut Recipe delivers pure, nostalgic bakery magic—right in your own kitchen. Imagine a fluffy, tender bar of fried dough coated with sweet, rich maple icing, perfect with hot coffee or as a morning treat that turns any day special!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this Maple Bar Donut Recipe are beautiful in their simplicity, each one playing a starring role in flavor and texture. Even the pantry staples shine, helping create those cloud-soft donuts and irresistibly glossy maple icing.

• Warm Water: Just the right temperature wakes up your yeast and gets the dough going.
• Active Dry Yeast: The magic behind that lofty, pillow-like rise!
• Granulated Sugar: A touch feeds the yeast, and more sweetens the dough.
• Butter-Flavored Shortening: Gives a light, tender crumb and subtle rich flavor, but plain shortening works too.
• Egg Yolks: Add golden richness and extra tenderness—don’t skip these!
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances both the dough and icing with warm, deep notes.
• Bread Flour: Offers the ideal chewy-yet-soft bite (all-purpose also works for a lighter, less chewy result).
• Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and brings out every flavor nuance.
• Baking Powder: A little boost for extra fluffiness.
• Peanut Oil: For deep frying—choose a neutral, high-smoke-point oil for that golden crisp edge.
• Powdered Sugar: The heart of that shiny maple icing.
• Light Corn Syrup: Your secret to glossy, smooth glaze that sets beautifully.
• Maple Extract: This is where the “wow” comes in—pure, aromatic maple flavor!
• Hot Water: For smoothing the icing to the perfect dippable consistency.

Variations

This Maple Bar Donut Recipe is a fantastic canvas for creativity—don’t be shy about making these donuts your own! Let your craving (and your pantry) guide you toward fun flavor twists or dietary swaps.

• Chocolate Icing: Sub out the maple extract for pure cocoa and a splash of milk for a decadent chocolate bar donut.
• Baked, Not Fried: For a lighter version, you can bake the shaped bars at 375°F for 10-12 minutes; they won’t be quite as pillowy, but still delicious.
• Vegan Maple Bars: Replace egg yolks with flaxseed “eggs” and use vegan shortening for a plant-based treat.
• Maple-Bacon Topping: Crumble cooked, crispy bacon over the wet maple glaze for a sweet-salty twist!

How to Make Maple Bar Donut Recipe

Step 1: Develop the Yeast Dough

To start your Maple Bar Donut Recipe, let your yeast and a little sugar bloom in warm water until delightfully frothy—this step sets the stage for that bouncy, cloud-like dough. Beat in more sugar, shortening, egg yolks, and vanilla until the mixture looks creamy but not totally smooth. Add flour, salt, and baking powder a bit at a time, making sure everything is well mixed for the perfect tender crumb.

Step 2: Knead, Shape & First Proof

Knead the dough until it’s soft and springy, then pat it into a 6×6-inch square on a floured surface. To help the dough reach its full pillowy potential, let it rise in your own homemade “proofing box”—just a turned-off oven with a pan of steaming water. In an hour, you’ll be greeted by a doubly puffy, beautifully risen slab!

Step 3: Roll, Cut & Second Rise

Next, turn the risen dough out (gently, so it stays light!) and roll it into a big, soft rectangle. Use a pizza cutter to slice out twelve even bars, and arrange them with plenty of space on floured baking sheets. Give them a cozy second rise with the humid oven trick again—this is when that signature bar shape and extra height really develop.

Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection

When your bars look puffed and ready, heat peanut oil to a steady 350°F. Carefully slide two or three at a time into the oil, and watch as they turn golden and rise even more—just a short fry on each side does the trick! Let them drain on paper towels while you finish frying the batch.

Step 5: Mix and Dip the Maple Icing

Whisk up your maple icing by combining powdered sugar, corn syrup, salt, vanilla, maple extract, and hot water until luxuriously smooth and pourable. Taste and add extra maple if your heart desires! Dip the top surface of each cooled donut into the icing, let it drip for a moment, and set the bars on a rack so the glaze can set up with a gorgeous shine.

How to Serve Maple Bar Donut Recipe

Garnishes

The classic look is hard to beat, but for a special touch, sprinkle your freshly glazed donuts with crunchy chopped pecans, toasted coconut, or a scattering of crisp bacon bits. Even a drizzle of extra maple syrup or chocolate can upgrade their wow factor for brunch guests or family celebrations.

Side Dishes

Pair these sweet Maple Bar Donuts with a robust cup of coffee, cold brew, or creamy chai. For brunch, fresh fruit salad or a tangy citrus compote helps cut the sweetness and rounds out the table beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking the donuts in a tower with parchment between for a fun breakfast centerpiece, or slice each Maple Bar Donut in half to create donut “sammies” with whipped cream and berries. For a brunch spread, lay them out on a rustic wooden board, dusted with a little powdered sugar for sparkle.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Maple Bar Donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days—they’ll stay tender and delicious. If you’re in a humid climate, a sheet of parchment inside the container can help avoid sticky surfaces.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze these maple bars! Once they’re completely cool and the glaze is set, wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to two months. Defrost at room temperature for an easy treat anytime.

Reheating

To refresh your Maple Bar Donut Recipe, simply microwave a thawed donut for about 10 seconds, or warm in a low oven (250°F) for a few minutes. This revives their pillowy softness—though the icing may get a little stickier (but still delicious!).

FAQs

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about the first bite of a homemade Maple Bar Donut—pillowy, golden, and dripping with maple sweetness. I hope you’ll treat yourself and your loved ones to this Maple Bar Donut Recipe. It’s a delicious way to bring coffee-shop coziness right to your kitchen, and the kind of recipe you’ll want to make again and again. Happy baking and happy munching!

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