Introduction

These Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars combine a tender, spiced cake base with a rich brown butter maple vanilla bean glaze. They’re an irresistible treat perfect for breakfast or dessert, delivering classic donut flavors in an easy-to-slice bar form.

Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars with Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup buttermilk
½ cup unsalted butter (for glaze)
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

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt until evenly combined.
Step 3: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and the buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined—avoid overmixing for tender bars.
Step 5: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
Step 6: For the glaze, melt the ½ cup of unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat, swirling occasionally, until it turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla bean paste until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk to reach your desired consistency.
Step 7: Pour the glaze evenly over the cooled bars and let it set fully before slicing into bars. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

Use fresh buttermilk or make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to ¾ cup milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
For a deeper maple flavor, substitute half the granulated sugar in the batter with brown sugar.
Add chopped nuts or cinnamon to the batter for added texture and warmth.
If you can’t find vanilla bean paste, pure vanilla extract works well as a substitute.

Storage

Store these donut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. To enjoy the soft texture, bring them to room temperature before serving. The glaze may firm up when chilled; you can warm the bars slightly in the microwave to soften it.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of flour?

All-purpose flour works best for the right texture, but you can experiment with half whole wheat for a nuttier flavor, keeping in mind the texture may be a bit denser.

How can I make the glaze thinner or thicker?

If the glaze is too thick, thin it with a little milk, one tablespoon at a time. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar gradually until you reach the desired consistency.

Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars with Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 103 reviews

These Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars are a nostalgic treat featuring a tender, moist cake base flavored with warm nutmeg and buttermilk. Topped with a luscious brown butter maple vanilla bean glaze, these bars combine rich, comforting flavors perfect for breakfast or dessert. Easy to make in a single 9×13-inch pan, they bake to golden perfection and are finished with a sweet, glossy glaze that adds a decadent touch.

Author: Isabella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 12 to 16 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Donut Bars

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup buttermilk

For the Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze

½ cup unsalted butter (for glaze)
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

Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground nutmeg, and salt to ensure even distribution.
Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for a tender texture.
Add eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract until combined.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and buttermilk to the creamed mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing.
Bake the batter: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Then, cool the bars completely before glazing.
Prepare glaze: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, cooking until it turns golden brown and emits a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla bean paste until smooth. Thin the glaze with 1–2 tablespoons of milk if needed for a pourable consistency.
Glaze and set: Pour the brown butter maple vanilla bean glaze evenly over the cooled bars. Allow the glaze to set before slicing into bars for serving.

Notes

Be careful not to over-bake the bars to keep them moist and tender.
Ensure the bars are completely cooled before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
For a stronger vanilla flavor, use vanilla bean paste rather than extract.
The nutmeg adds a warm spice note but can be omitted if preferred.
Use real maple syrup for the glaze to enhance flavor authenticity.

Keywords: old-fashioned, buttermilk donut bars, brown butter glaze, maple vanilla glaze, baked donut bars, nutmeg, breakfast bars, easy dessert