Description
Indulge in tender, old-fashioned buttermilk donut bars topped with a rich brown butter maple vanilla bean glaze. Perfect for brunch or a sweet treat!
Ingredients
Scale
Donut Bars:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze:
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped (or 1/4 tsp vanilla bean paste)
- 2–4 tablespoons milk, or more as needed
Instructions
Donut Bars:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze:
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue to cook, swirling occasionally, until the butter is golden brown and has a nutty aroma (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean seeds.
- Gradually whisk in the browned butter until smooth.
- Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the glaze reaches your desired consistency.
- Once the donut bars are completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top. Let the glaze set before cutting into bars and serving.
Notes
- Tip: For the best flavor, use pure maple syrup and vanilla extract.
- Variation: Add a pinch of cinnamon to the donut batter for a warm spice.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: donut bars, buttermilk donuts, brown butter glaze, maple glaze, vanilla bean, baking, dessert, homemade donuts