Name: Donut Bars 1 Soft, Irresistible Treat You’ll Crave
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/3 cup maple syrup; 1/3 cup brown sugar; 2 eggs; 1/2 cup Greek yogurt; 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp cinnamon; 1/4 tsp salt; ; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2–3 tbsp maple syrup; 1 tsp milk (optional)

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Donut Bars are the soft-baked, maple-glazed treat your mornings have been missing perfectly moist, warmly spiced, and ready in under 30 minutes.

Hi, I’m Jack welcome to my kitchen at Cooks Foody!

If you’re tired of dry, store-bought pastries that lack soul and flavor, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why I developed this Soft Baked Maple Donut Bars recipe rich in cozy maple flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. As the recipe developer and heart behind Cooks Foody, I’ve turned everyday cravings into confidence-boosting kitchen wins. This is one of those wins.

In this post, I’ll walk you through why these donut bars work so well, how to select the best ingredients, how to bake them flawlessly, creative flavor ideas, serving tips, FAQs, and more!

Why These Donut Bars Work

✅ Uses simple pantry staples with bold, nostalgic flavor
🕒 Ready in under 30 minutes perfect for busy mornings
🍁 No frying required baked for a lighter treat
👨‍👩‍👧 Loved by kids and adults alike

Choosing the Right Ingredients for Donut Bars

Best Ingredients for This Recipe

Maple syrup: Real maple syrup gives depth and warmth
Brown sugar: Adds softness and subtle molasses flavor
Greek yogurt or sour cream: For ultra-moist texture

Buying Tips

Use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup
Choose fresh baking powder for the best rise
Look for non-GMO flour for higher quality

Substitutions

No maple syrup? Use honey and increase cinnamon
Swap Greek yogurt with buttermilk or sour cream
Gluten-free? Use a 1:1 GF baking blend

Ingredients & Prep for Donut Bars

Prep Essentials

Grease your baking pan or line with parchment
Mix wet and dry ingredients separately before combining

Wet Beam

1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract

Dry Beam

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt

Optional Maple Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp milk or cream (optional for texture)

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Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Donut Bars

Pre-Baking Prep for Donut Bars

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
Lightly grease or line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper

Baking Method for Donut Bars

In a bowl, whisk together eggs, yogurt, oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, and vanilla
In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon
Gradually mix dry into wet until just combined don’t overmix
Spread batter evenly in pan and smooth top
Bake 18–22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean

Doneness Check for Donut Bars

Cake should spring back when touched
Edges should be lightly golden

Resting for Donut Bars

Cool in pan for 10 minutes
Transfer to wire rack and drizzle with glaze once fully cooled

Pro Tips for Perfect Donut Bars

Avoiding Dry Bars

Don’t overbake check at 18 minutes
Measure flour with spoon-and-level method

Tool Recommendations for Donut Bars

Offset spatula for spreading glaze
Parchment paper for easy removal
Stand mixer for easy batter mixing

Storage & Reheating for Donut Bars

Store at room temp for 3 days
Refrigerate for up to 5 days
Microwave slices for 10 seconds before serving

Flavor Variations for Donut Bars

Flavor Twist	Description
Spicy Maple	Add 1/4 tsp nutmeg and 1/8 tsp cayenne to batter
Keto-Friendly	Use almond flour, stevia, and unsweetened yogurt
Apple Cider	Swap yogurt for apple cider and add apple pie spice

Serving Suggestions for Donut Bars

🍁 Serve with warm tea or fresh-brewed coffee
🍓 Pair with fresh berries or yogurt parfaits
🧊 Enjoy chilled from the fridge for a firmer texture

FAQs for Donut Bars

Can I make these donut bars gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Can I freeze donut bars?
Absolutely. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Can I skip the glaze?
Of course! They’re delicious plain or with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Conclusion

These soft baked Donut Bars are everything a homemade treat should be simple, satisfying, and full of flavor.

Donut Bars 1 Soft, Irresistible Treat You’ll Crave