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Maple Bars

Source of Recipe


From "The Neighborhood Bake Shop" by Jill Van Cleave






List of Ingredients



• -- Dough --
  
• 1/2 Tbsp active dry yeast
  
• 2 Tbsp lukewarm water (95º to 110º F)
  
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
  
• 1/2 tsp salt
  
• 3/4 cup milk
  
• 1 large egg
  
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  
• 2-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  
• .
  
• -- Maple Glaze --
  
• 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  
• 1-1/2 Tbsp heavy cream
  
• .
  
• Canola oil for frying
  






Instructions



1. Prepare the dough by dissolving the yeast in the lukewarm water in a small dish. Let proof until bubbly, about 5 minutes.
   
   
2. Combine the sugar, butter and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Heat the milk in a saucepan on top of the stove or in a glass bowl in the microwave oven until hot but not yet simmering, and pour it over the ingredients in the mixing bowl. Stir to dissolve the sugar and melt the butter. Let cool until warm.
   
   
3. Stir the yeast mixture into the warm milk mixture. Beat in the egg and nutmeg. Add the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a soft dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface. Gently knead until the dough feels smooth and elastic, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature to rise until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours.
   
   
4. Return the dough to a work surface and roll it out into a 12 x 8-inch rectangle. Cut the rectangle into twelve 4 x 2-inch pieces and place them on a lightly floured baking sheet. Cover with a towel and let rise for 20 minutes at room temperature. While the doughnuts are rising, prepare the glaze: Stir the confectioners' sugar and maple syrup together in a bowl. Add the cream and whisk until the mixture is smoothly blended, with a thick, spreadable consistency. Cover and set aside while the doughnuts fry.
   
   
5. Fill a high-sided frying pan with 2 to 2-1/2 inches of oil and heat to 365º F as registered on a deep-frying thermometer. Fry the doughnuts, a few at a time, until well browned on each side. (Total cooking time will vary from 6 to 7 minutes. Begin to check each side for doneness after 3 minutes.) Drain on paper toweling. Glaze when the doughnuts are barely warm or room temperature. Let glaze set before serving.
   
   Makes 12 doughnuts.
   
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   "Maple Bars are rectangular raised doughnuts topped with maple glaze, and are a specialty item of bakeries in the Pacific Northwest... and are simply spectacular tasting. Homemade Maple Bars are best when eaten within a few hours of the making. Pure maple syrup can be found in health or gourmet food stores."