Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars

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

Get ready to indulge in the delightful world of Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars with Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze. This recipe brings back the nostalgic flavors of classic donut shops into your kitchen. Soft, fluffy, and perfectly sweetened, these bars are easy to make and even more enjoyable to eat. Whether it’s a weekend treat or a special occasion, these donut bars will impress everyone!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick & Easy: Simple steps mean you’ll have these delicious treats ready in no time.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for family gatherings, brunches, or any sweet tooth craving.
• Unbelievably Delicious: The combination of buttermilk, brown butter, and maple will make your taste buds dance!
• Unique Texture: These donut bars are fluffy and soft, setting them apart from regular donuts.
• Customizable: Feel free to add your own twists, like different spices or toppings!

Ingredients Needed

For the Donut Bars:

• 3 1/2 cups (440g) cake flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons (10g) baking powder
• 1 teaspoon (6g) salt
• 3/4 teaspoon (1g) nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon (2g) baking soda
• 1/2 cup (120g) brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (110g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (58g) salted butter, melted
• 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup (180ml) buttermilk (or a mix of 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice with 3/4 cup milk)

For the Glaze:

• 1 1/2 cups (190g) powdered sugar
• 6 tablespoons (85g) salted butter, melted and browned
• 1/3 cup (113g) maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) milk of choice
• 1 teaspoon (4g) vanilla extract or paste
• Pinch of salt

For Frying:

• 4-6 cups high heat olive oil or avocado oil

How to Make Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars

1. Prepare the Dough:

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and baking soda. Set aside.

1. Mix Wet Ingredients:

• In another large bowl, whisk both sugars and melted butter together. Add the eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla, whisking until smooth. Then gradually whisk in the buttermilk.

1. Combine Ingredients:

• Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Fold gently until just combined. The dough will be sticky! Cover the bowl and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 to 60 minutes.

1. Shape the Donuts:

• Once the dough is chilled, generously flour your work surface and hands. Transfer the dough onto the floured surface, sprinkle with more flour, and gently roll it into a rectangle (about 18×3.5 inches and 1/2 inch thick).

1. Cutting the Bars:

• Flour a bench scraper or knife and slice the dough lengthwise in half. Again, using the bench scraper, make 8-9 cuts widthwise to create 16-18 small bars. Lightly press down the center of each bar lengthwise to create a slight indentation for that classic look.

1. Fry the Donuts:

• In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F-370°F. Line a wire cooling rack with a thick layer of paper towels.
• Carefully lower the bars into the hot oil, 3-4 at a time, starting with the bottom side down (indentation side up). Fry for 1-2 minutes until golden, flip gently, and fry for another 1-2 minutes until perfectly golden. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the donuts to the paper towel-lined rack.

1. Make the Glaze:

• While the donuts cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, browned butter, maple syrup, milk, vanilla, and a pinch of salt in a large bowl until smooth. If the glaze seems too thick, add more milk a teaspoon at a time.

1. Glaze the Bars:

• Dip each cooled bar, top side down, into the glaze. Set them on a cooling rack until the glaze sets.

1. Serve and Enjoy!

Serving and Storage Tips

These Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars are best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days. If you have leftovers, you can reheat them in the oven at a low temperature to restore their softness!

Helpful Notes

• Make sure to chill the dough; it helps improve texture and makes it easier to work with.
• Feel free to experiment with different toppings or glazes to suit your taste.

Conclusion

These Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars with Brown Butter Maple Vanilla Bean Glaze will surely become a favorite in your home. Their delightful flavor and easy preparation make them a perfect treat for any occasion. If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and a star rating! We would love to hear your thoughts and any variations you tried! Share your delicious experience on social media—who wouldn’t want to show off these fabulous donut bars?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes! You can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 3/4 cup of regular milk and letting it sit for a few minutes.

How do I know when the oil is hot enough for frying?

You can use a thermometer to check the temperature, or drop a small piece of dough into the oil—if it sizzles and rises to the top, the oil is ready!

Can I freeze these donut bars?

Absolutely! Allow the bars to cool completely, then freeze them in an airtight container. When ready to eat, thaw them at room temperature and warm them briefly in the oven.

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

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• Author: chef-ava
• Total Time: 75 minutes
• Yield: 16 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in these soft and fluffy Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars topped with a delicious brown butter maple vanilla bean glaze. Perfect for any occasion!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 1/2 cups (440g) cake flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons (10g) baking powder
• 1 teaspoon (6g) salt
• 3/4 teaspoon (1g) nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon (2g) baking soda
• 1/2 cup (120g) brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (110g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (58g) salted butter, melted
• 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup (180ml) buttermilk
• 1 1/2 cups (190g) powdered sugar
• 6 tablespoons (85g) salted butter, melted and browned
• 1/3 cup (113g) maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) milk of choice
• 1 teaspoon (4g) vanilla extract or paste
• Pinch of salt
• 4–6 cups high heat olive oil or avocado oil for frying

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Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and baking soda. Set aside.
2. In another large bowl, whisk both sugars and melted butter together. Add the eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla, whisking until smooth. Gradually whisk in the buttermilk.
3. Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and fold gently until just combined. Cover the bowl and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 to 60 minutes.
4. Once chilled, flour your work surface and hands. Transfer the dough and roll it into a rectangle (about 18×3.5 inches and 1/2 inch thick).
5. Flour a bench scraper or knife and slice the dough lengthwise in half, then make 8-9 cuts widthwise to create 16-18 small bars.
6. Heat oil in a pot over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F-370°F. Carefully lower the bars into the hot oil, frying for 1-2 minutes until golden. Flip and fry for another 1-2 minutes.
7. In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, browned butter, maple syrup, milk, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Adjust consistency as needed.
8. Dip each cooled bar, top side down, into the glaze. Set them on a cooling rack until the glaze sets.
9. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

These bars are best served fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days. Reheat leftovers in the oven.

• Prep Time: 60 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bar
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 30mg