Homemade Maple Bars Recipe with Rich Maple Glaze

If you’ve never made raised donuts at home, these Maple Bars are the perfect place to start. Light, fluffy, and coated with a thick maple glaze, they taste just like a bakery treat—only fresher and made from scratch.

Homemade Maple Bars

We make a lot from scratch at home, and homemade maple bars are one of the most-requested recipes. They don’t take long to prepare, and the results are irresistible—soft, pillowy donuts coated in a rich maple icing that both kids and adults adore.

These maple bars are a great first raised-donut project: the dough is straightforward, the rise times are short, and the maple glaze delivers a deep, familiar flavor. Make a batch for breakfast or a special weekend treat—these donuts disappear fast.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

• Bakery-style at home — Enjoy fresh, raised donuts with a homemade maple glaze.
• Quick rising — Two short rises let you start and finish in about 90 minutes.
• Rich maple icing — Real maple syrup plus maple extract gives the glaze authentic depth.
• Crowd-pleaser — These are always a hit for breakfast, parties, or potlucks.
• Freezer-friendly dough — You can prepare the dough ahead and fry when you’re ready.

Recipe Shopping List

Before you begin, gather these ingredients. Exact amounts are listed in the recipe card below.

• 2% milk — Warmed to help activate the yeast and enrich the dough.
• Active dry yeast — For a light, airy rise.
• Granulated sugar — Feeds the yeast and sweetens the dough.
• Bread flour — Higher protein gives structure and a satisfying chew.
• Salt — Balances sweetness and strengthens the dough.
• Unsalted butter — Adds richness and tenderness.
• Egg yolks — Contribute color, richness, and a tender crumb.
• Powdered sugar — The base for the maple glaze.
• Pure maple syrup — Real maple flavor for the icing.
• Maple extract — Boosts maple aroma and taste in the glaze.
• Vanilla extract — Rounds out the glaze flavor.
• Hot water — Adjusts the glaze consistency for dipping.

How To Make This Recipe

Below is a clear overview of the process so you know what to expect. For best results, follow the full recipe and measurements in the recipe card near the end.

Make the Dough

1. Combine warm milk, yeast, and a little granulated sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Let it sit until foamy, about 10 minutes, to proof the yeast.
2. Add bread flour, salt, softened butter, and egg yolks. Mix on medium speed until the ingredients form a cohesive dough and pull into a neat ball, about 3–5 minutes.
3. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turn to coat, cover, and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled, about 1 hour.

4. Once risen, roll the dough out on a well-floured surface to about 1/2 inch thickness. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the dough into long rectangles for classic maple bars.

Cut & Rise

5. Arrange the cut rectangles on lightly greased parchment or a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Cover loosely with greased plastic wrap so they can rise without sticking. Let rise an additional 20–30 minutes until slightly puffy.

Make the Icing

6. While the bars are rising, whisk together the powdered sugar, pure maple syrup, a pinch of salt, vanilla, and maple extract. Add enough hot water to reach a smooth, pourable consistency suitable for dipping.

Heat Oil & Fry

7. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan to around 350°F (175°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, test with a small corner piece of dough: it should brown in about one minute.
8. Fry the bars in batches, about 1–2 minutes per side, flipping once so they brown evenly. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain oil temperature.
9. Remove to a paper towel–lined tray to drain once they are golden on both sides. While still warm, dip each bar into the maple glaze and set on a rack or pan to dry. For a thicker coating, let the first layer set and dip again once cooled.

The result is a tender, airy donut with a signature maple flavor in the glaze. Serve them warm for the best texture and flavor—the glaze is still slightly soft and the interior is melt-in-your-mouth.

FAQ

Yield: 24 servings

Maple Bars

Raised yeast donuts with a maple icing. This recipe yields approximately two dozen bars depending on size.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Rise Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the donuts

• 1.5 cups warm 2% milk
• 2 packets active dry yeast (about 4.5 tsp)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 5 cups bread flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 egg yolks

For the icing

• 1 lb powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon maple extract
• Hot water, as needed to thin

Instructions

1. Proof the yeast: stir warm milk, yeast, and a little sugar and let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes.
2. Make the dough: add flour, salt, butter, and yolks to the mixer; mix until a smooth dough ball forms, 3–5 minutes.
3. First rise: place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
4. Roll and cut: roll dough to 1/2″ thickness and cut into long rectangles. Place on greased parchment to rise for 20–30 minutes.
5. Icing: whisk powdered sugar, maple syrup, salt, vanilla, and maple extract; add hot water to reach a dip-friendly consistency.
6. Fry: heat oil to 350°F and fry bars in batches, about 1–2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
7. Glaze: dip warm bars in the maple icing, set on a rack to dry, and dip a second time after cooling for a thicker coat.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 238 • Total Fat: 4g • Saturated Fat: 2g • Cholesterol: 37mg • Sodium: 84mg • Carbohydrates: 47g • Fiber: 1g • Sugar: 26g • Protein: 5g

Nutrition data is an estimate. For medical or dietary needs, consult a trusted source.