Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (for a lighter texture, you can substitute 1 cup with whole wheat pastry flour)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 3/4 cup whole milk (or almond milk for a dairy-free option)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup pure maple syrup, divided
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for the glaze)
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon for a warm spice note, just like Mama Lou’s secret touch
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon if using. This dry mix will create the structure for your bars.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, and 1/3 cup of the maple syrup until fully combined.
- Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. I remember Mama Lou always saying, “Let the batter breathe a little!”
- Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The edges should be golden, and the top slightly springy to the touch.
- While the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, prepare the maple glaze by mixing the powdered sugar with the remaining 1/3 cup maple syrup. Adjust the consistency with a teaspoon of milk or more powdered sugar if needed. The glaze should be smooth and pourable but not too runny.
- Drizzle the maple glaze generously over the warm bars. The glaze will soak in slightly, creating that luscious maple sheen that makes these bars irresistible.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into squares. This resting time helps the glaze set and makes cutting cleaner—something I learned watching Ouma’s precise hands at work.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
