Pillowy Apple Pie Maple Donut Bars

Serves 12
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Directions

  1. 1Activate yeast by combining warm milk, 1 tbsp granulated sugar, and yeast; let it sit until frothy.
  2. 2In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, and salt, then set aside.
  3. 3Pour the activated yeast mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer.
  4. 4Add the remaining sugar, Greek yogurt or sour cream, butter, eggs, vanilla, and the flour mixture to the stand mixer.
  5. 5Attach the dough hook and mix on low speed for 1 minute until barely combined, then rest for 5 minutes.
  6. 6Mix on medium speed for 5-7 minutes until the dough is elastic and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  7. 7Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl.
  8. 8Cover and let the dough rise in a warm environment for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  9. 9Prepare the apple pie filling: In a large saucepan, add butter, diced apples, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, apple pie spice (optional), and salt.
  10. 10Cook until the apples soften, stirring occasionally (about 10 minutes).
  11. 11Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry.
  12. 12Pour the slurry into the apple mixture, stir, and cook until the mixture thickens (1-2 more minutes).
  13. 13Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, then set aside to cool completely.
  14. 14Cut out 12 rectangles of parchment paper and spread them across two baking sheets, lightly dusting each with flour.
  15. 15Once the dough has doubled, punch it down and turn it onto a lightly floured surface.
  16. 16Roll the dough out to a 10x12-inch rectangle.
  17. 17Cut the rectangle in half lengthwise (from the 10-inch side) to create two 5x12-inch strips.
  18. 18Cut each strip into 6 bars, resulting in 12 total bars, each approximately 2 inches in width.
  19. 19Place the donut bars onto the parchment paper rectangles.
  20. 20Loosely cover and proof for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
  21. 21Heat about 2 inches of avocado oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot to 350-365°F.
  22. 22Line a wire cooling rack with a thick layer of paper towels.
  23. 23Carefully transfer the donut bars into the hot oil, 2-3 at a time.
  24. 24After 10-15 seconds, pull the parchment paper away.
  25. 25Fry for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown.
  26. 26Remove the donut bars from the oil and transfer them to the cooling rack with paper towels.
  27. 27Let the fried donut bars cool almost completely.
  28. 28Prepare the maple glaze: In a large bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, melted and slightly cooled salted butter, vanilla paste or extract, and a large pinch of salt until smooth.
  29. 29Transfer the cooled apple pie filling into a piping bag fitted with a round tip.
  30. 30Once the donut bars are ready, use the back of a small spoon to make a small hole on the short side of each.
  31. 31Dip the top of each donut bar into the maple glaze and place it onto a cooling rack.
  32. 32Fit the nozzle of the piping bag with the apple pie filling into the side of a donut and squeeze until the center begins to puff up; repeat for the other side.
  33. 33Serve and enjoy the Pillowy Apple Pie Maple Donut Bars.

Ingredients

  • 0.75 cup milk
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar
  • 2.5 tsp active dry yeast
  • 0.5 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 0.5 cup salted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla paste or extract
  • 4 cups bread flour (sub: AP flour)
  • 1.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • avocado oil
  • 4 tbsp salted butter
  • 4 medium apples or small apples
  • 0.5 cup light brown sugar
  • 4 tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp apple pie spice
  • large pinch salt
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tsp vanilla paste or extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 0.5 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp salted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla paste or extract
  • large pinch salt

Equipment

small bowlglass measuring cuplarge bowlwhiskstand mixerdough hook attachmentlarge saucepansmall bowlparchment paperbaking sheetsrolling pinpizza cutterheavy-bottomed potwire cooling rackpaper towelspiping baground tip

Tips

  • Serve warm and dunked into a hot cup of coffee.
  • Don't add too much flour to the dough, you want it to be slightly sticky.
  • Use a thick layer of paper towels to drain excess oil from the fried donuts.