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

A stack of moist, square buttermilk donut bars topped with a sweet vanilla glaze, showing the cakey interior.
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Make these Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars for a nostalgic, soft, and cakey treat. They feature a rich buttermilk base and are topped with a decadent brown butter maple vanilla bean glaze.

Ingredients

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  • 3 1/2 cups cake flour
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 4–6 cups high heat oil for frying (or use baking method)
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 6 tablespoons salted butter, browned
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla paste
  • Pinch of salt for glaze

Instructions

  1. Whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and baking soda in a large bowl.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and melted butter until combined.
  3. Beat in the eggs and egg yolk one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
  4. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the wet mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
  5. Chill the dough for at least 1 hour.
  6. If frying: Heat oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C). Roll the dough out to 1/2 inch thickness and cut into bar shapes. Fry in batches for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
  7. If baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Press the dough into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until lightly golden. Let cool slightly before cutting into bars.
  8. Prepare the glaze: Brown the 6 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until nutty and fragrant. Let cool slightly.
  9. Whisk the browned butter, powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, vanilla paste, and a pinch of salt until the glaze is smooth.
  10. Dip or drizzle the cooled donut bars generously with the brown butter maple vanilla bean glaze. Allow the glaze to set before serving.

Notes

  • For a truly old-fashioned texture, use cake flour. If you do not have cake flour, remove 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and replace it with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch for every cup of flour required.
  • You can make these bars ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
  • If you prefer a thinner glaze, add milk one teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/buttermilk-donut-bars-old-fashioned-recipe/