Maple Frosted Baked Donuts

Who needs the calorie-packed fried version when these maple frosted baked donuts are perfectly moist, sweet, and flavorful?

If you’re from the Pacific Northwest, you likely know the heaven that is a maple bar. If that’s the case, go ahead and skip ahead to the recipe.

If you’re unlucky enough to have never had a maple bar, let me enlighten you. A maple bar is a donut: The fluffy fried kind, coated with a generous layer of rich, flavorful maple frosting. There aren’t even adequate words to describe how perfect they are. Unfortunately, now that we live in Mississippi, I’m forced to eat my annual allotment during the few weeks out of the year we’re in Oregon.

Because I spend a good portion of my time pining for all things maple, I’ve taken to using it in baked goods. Last year, I made chocolate chip pumpkin scones with maple glaze. This year, it’s these maple frosted baked donuts. While they aren’t quite like eating a genuine maple bar, they’re a pretty darn good substitute.

Maple Frosted Baked Donuts

adapted from Cooking Classy

Ingredients

For the Donuts

1/4 c. butter, melted
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp maple extract
2/3 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 c. milk

For the Frosting

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
3 tbs butter, melted
1 tsp maple extract
2 tbs milk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine butter, vegetable oil, and sugar. Mix until well incorporated. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, and then add the extracts and mix again. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add a third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix just until combined. Repeat with the milk, and then with half of the remaining flour, and then the rest of the milk, and then the last of the flour.

Spoon the donut batter into greased donut pans and bake for 6-8 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove to a cooling rack. While the donuts cool slightly, prepare the glaze by whisking together all the ingredients. Swirl the top of each donut in glaze and set back on the cooling rack to set.

Notes

I highly recommend the donut pan I have. It’s high quality and affordable.

The recipe doubles easily, making it perfect for baking up to treat your coworkers.

Are you in need of more fall sweets? I’ve got beautiful frosted cranberry white chocolate cookie bars and cinnamon roll cupcakes.

Don’t forget to pin these Maple Frosted Baked Donuts for later!

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