Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars with Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze Recipe
If you are craving a nostalgic treat with a twist, these Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars topped with the Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars with Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze are just the answer. This glaze, with its rich caramel notes from browned butter, the deep sweetness of pure maple syrup, and the delicate, aromatic touch of real vanilla bean, elevates the simple buttermilk donut bars into pure bliss. Each bite offers a perfect balance of tender cakey texture and a luscious, glossy finish that will have you reaching for seconds, maybe even thirds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity and quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in bringing that moist, flavorful donut bar to life, while the Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars with Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze wraps it all up with a decadent shine and taste.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure for tender yet sturdy bars.
- Baking powder & baking soda: These leavening agents ensure your bars rise just right, light and fluffy.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds a warm, classic donut-shop aroma that’s indispensable here.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing sweet and savory notes.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Brings richness to the dough and, when browned, adds a nutty depth to the glaze.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens without overpowering, helping create the perfect crumb.
- Eggs: Bind everything together for a tender crumb and moist texture.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses subtle warmth and aroma into the bars.
- Buttermilk: Adds tang and moisture, resulting in that irresistible tender crumb.
- Powdered sugar: Key for a smooth, sweet glaze that melts gently on top.
- Pure maple syrup: Provides natural sweetness and depth, essential for the Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars with Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze.
- Vanilla bean paste: Adds those wonderful vanilla specks and an intense vanilla flavor to the glaze.
- Milk: Adjusts the glaze consistency so it’s pourable but thick enough to cling to the bars.
How to Make Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars with Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze
Step 1: Prepare the Donut Bar Base
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13-inch pan or lining it with parchment paper. It’s all about ensuring nothing sticks and your bars slide out perfectly. Whisk together your dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt—because that nutmeg will soon fill your kitchen with a warm, inviting aroma. Separately, cream the softened butter with sugar until it’s fluffy and light, then add eggs one at a time for that dream-soft texture. Alternate mixing in your dry ingredients and buttermilk gently, remembering not to overmix. Pour the batter evenly into your pan, and bake for about 22 to 25 minutes until the bars are golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool completely before moving on.
Step 2: Make the Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars with Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze
Here’s where the real magic begins. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter and let it cook, swirling occasionally, until it turns a rich golden brown and releases a nutty aroma — this is your flavor jackpot. Be vigilant because browned butter can go from perfect to burnt in seconds. Remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar, pure maple syrup, and vanilla bean paste until smooth. If the glaze seems too thick to pour, add a tablespoon or two of milk to achieve that perfect consistency that will coat your donut bars beautifully.
Step 3: Glaze the Bars
Once your bars are completely cooled, pour the warm Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars with Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze evenly over the surface. Spread gently with a spatula if needed. Let the glaze set at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes so it firms up just enough but remains irresistibly soft to the touch. Then slice into generous rectangles, just like an old-fashioned bakery — and prepare to indulge.
How to Serve Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars with Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze
Garnishes
You can keep it classic with a light sprinkle of finely chopped toasted pecans or flaky sea salt crystals on top of the glaze for a hint of crunch and contrast. A dusting of cinnamon or an extra drizzle of pure maple syrup right before serving can also add an extra flavor boost that’s simply heavenly.
Side Dishes
These glaze-topped donut bars are fantastic alongside a steaming cup of black coffee or chai tea, whose slight bitterness balances the sweet glaze perfectly. For a brunch spread, pair them with fresh seasonal fruit or a creamy yogurt parfait to mix textures and keep the meal feeling fresh and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, try serving the bars warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a drizzle of extra Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars with Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze. Alternatively, cut the bars into bite-sized squares and serve on a decorative platter as a crowd-pleasing dessert or snack at your next party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for about a week. Keeping the glaze-covered surface intact is key—try to avoid stacking them directly on top of each other to prevent sticking.
Freezing
If you want to save these for a longer time, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They freeze beautifully for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheating
For that freshly baked vibe, warm the bars briefly in a microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or in a low-heat oven for about 5 minutes. This warms up the butter in the glaze slightly, bringing back that melt-in-your-mouth sensation.
FAQs
Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean paste in the glaze?
Absolutely! While vanilla bean paste adds a lovely speckled appearance and a deeper vanilla flavor, vanilla extract works perfectly well and won’t compromise the delicious taste of the glaze.
Is it possible to make this glaze dairy-free?
Yes! Swap the butter for a plant-based substitute and use a dairy-free milk for thinning. The glaze’s flavor will still be rich and wonderful, though the browned butter aroma will naturally be missing.
How thick should I make the glaze?
The glaze should be pourable but thick enough to coat the bars without running off. If it’s too thick, add milk a little at a time; if too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar until you reach the perfect consistency.
Can I double the glaze recipe for extra coverage?
Definitely! If you prefer your donut bars extra glazy or want some extra to drizzle on top when serving, simply double the quantities. It’s hard to have too much of something this delicious.
Why does the glaze need to be poured warm?
Pouring the glaze warm helps it spread evenly and soak slightly into the bars for more flavor penetration. If it cools and thickens too much, it becomes harder to work with and may not create that smooth, shiny finish you’re aiming for.
Final Thoughts
These Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars with the Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars with Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze are a nostalgic delight with an elevated, modern touch that you’ll want to make again and again. The glaze is truly the star, wrapping the tender bars in a caramel-kissed, vanilla-scented hug that brings smiles with every bite. Trust me, once you try this glaze, it will become your new favorite topping for everything from donuts to cakes and beyond. Go ahead, treat yourself—you deserve it!
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Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars with Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12–16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars are a nostalgic treat featuring a tender, cakey base spiced with nutmeg and topped with a rich brown butter maple vanilla bean glaze. Perfectly soft and bursting with classic donut-shop flavors, these bars are an easy-to-make dessert that combines the best of cake and donut worlds in one pan.
Ingredients
Donut Bars
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup buttermilk
Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
- 1–2 tbsp milk (for thinning, as needed)
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground nutmeg, and salt until evenly combined.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Then, add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Add the Buttermilk and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add the dry ingredient mixture and buttermilk into the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently just until combined to avoid overmixing and developing toughness.
- Bake the Donut Bars: Pour and spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely before glazing.
- Make the Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, cooking it until it turns golden brown and emits a nutty aroma. Immediately remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla bean paste. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk to achieve desired glaze consistency.
- Glaze the Bars: Pour the warm glaze evenly over the cooled donut bars. Let the glaze set for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing into generous rectangles or smaller pieces as desired.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened, not melted, for creaming to achieve the ideal texture.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding dry ingredients to keep the bars tender.
- The nutmeg adds a classic donut-shop aroma—do not omit.
- Watch the butter closely when browning to prevent burning the glaze.
- If the glaze is too thick, add milk one teaspoon at a time to thin it.
- These bars are best served at room temperature after the glaze sets.
- You can store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (assuming 16 bars)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: buttermilk donut bars, old-fashioned donut bars, brown butter glaze, maple glaze, vanilla bean glaze, easy baked donuts, classic donut recipe
