Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or 1½ cups flour + ½ cup whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavour)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional but adds a lovely warmth)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled (or substitute with coconut oil for a dairy-free option)
- ½ cup buttermilk (or ½ cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice, let sit for 5 minutes)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup pure maple syrup, divided (⅓ cup for the glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch square baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until well combined. This dry mixture is the backbone of your bars, and I always take a moment here to inhale the cinnamon — it reminds me of those chilly Devon mornings when the kitchen was filled with spice and warmth.
- In a large bowl, beat the sugar and eggs together using a hand mixer or whisk until the mixture is pale and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step adds lightness to the bars, just like the fluffy scones my mum used to make.
- Slowly pour in the melted butter, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and ⅓ cup maple syrup, mixing gently to combine. The maple syrup here is the secret ingredient — it brings that unmistakable richness and depth.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a spatula, being careful not to overmix. The batter should be thick but spreadable — like the first time I folded flour into eggs at dawn, creating something simple but full of promise.
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Pop it into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges start to pull away slightly from the pan, and the top is a warm golden brown.
- While the bars bake, prepare the maple glaze by gently warming the remaining ¼ cup of maple syrup in a small saucepan over low heat. Once warm, brush it over the bars as soon as they come out of the oven. This step gives that glossy, sticky finish that makes these bars truly irresistible.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out with the parchment paper. Cut into 12 generous squares, and try not to eat the whole batch in one sitting — although I won’t judge if you do! These bars always bring back memories of sharing treats around our tiny kitchen table, with laughter and tea steaming in chipped mugs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
