Scratch-made Maple Bars

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 TBSP milk
• 1 TBSP corn syrup
• 2 tsp maple extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Directions

1. 01

   Combine 1/2 cup warm water, 3/4 cup warm milk along with 1 tbsp sugar and 2 tsp yeast. Give it a quick whisk and wait till it gets foamy. About 10 minutes.

2. 02

   In the bowl of a stand mixer add 5 1/2 cups of flour(spooned and leveled off with a knife) , 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 cup sugar, the frothy yeast mixture, and 5 large eggs. Using the hook attachment, mix everything together on medium-high speed.

3. 03

   When the donut dough begins to come together add 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter. Continue mixing on medium-high speed for about 8 minutes or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic and no longer sticks to the sides of the stand mixer.

4. 04

   Place the donut dough in a greased bowl and cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Then let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size. ( I like to speed it up in the oven on the “proof” setting).

5. 05

   After the dough rises punch it down, reshape it, and let it rise again until it becomes twice the size (about an hour),

6. 06

   Now remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a well-floured baking sheet, roll the dough out to fit the sheet, should still be about 2/3" thick.

7. 07

   Now cut out the 12 donut bars using a pizza cutter and let them rise another 30 minutes.

8. 08

   Pour about 2 inches of corn or vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot and let the oil come to 360-375 degrees Fahrenheit (or use a deep fryer). Now fry each side of the donut for 1:35 per side or until golden brown.

9. 09

   Transfer to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to absorb any extra oil. Let them cool completely.

10. 10

    To make the glaze melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter in a saucepan. Then add 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3 TBSP milk, and 1 TBSP corn syrup. Turn the heat to medium and let it come to a simmer.

11. 11

    Then turn the heat off and add 2 tsp of maple extract and 2 cups of powdered sugar. Stir until smooth.

12. 12

    Then dip the cooled donuts into the maple glaze and let them set on a cooling rack.