Step by step recipe for delicious, melt-in-your-mouth maple bars.
Place yeast in small bowl and add the warm water, warm milk, and 1 Tbsp. of sugar. Mix to combine and let stand approximately 10 minutes until yeast activates and becomes frothy.
In bowl of stand mixer, combine flour, salt, and the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar. Make sure to use the hook attachment. Pour in activated yeast mixture, add eggs, and mix on medium speed until dough is fully combined. This should only take a few minutes. Add in butter and continue mixing until butter is fully incorporated and dough no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl. (Feel free to add a little flour if necessary, but no more than a few tablespoons.) Take dough out of the bowl and quickly grease the bowl with a little oil to prevent sticking. Place the dough back into the bowl, cover with a kitchen towel and place in the warmest area of your home. Let rise approximately 1 hour until dough has doubled in size. Punch down dough, reshape into ball and let rise a second time. (Letting the dough rise a second time is what's going to make these donuts light and airy on the inside.)
After second rise, punch down and place dough on lightly floured surface and with a rolling pin roll out to form a large rectangle that's 3/4" thick. Use a knife or pizza cutter and cut dough along the middle lengthwise, then across to make 12 bars. Place cut pieces onto floured baking sheets and let rise 30 minutes.
Heat oil in a large cast iron pot or dutch oven. (Oil should be at least 2 inches deep) When it reaches 360ยบ, or when it's very hot, but not smoking, begin frying maple bars. Let them turn golden brown before flipping them over and frying the other side. Remove from oil and place on rack lined with paper towels so that excess oil can drain. Once all maple bars are fried, let them cool completely.
To make glaze, heat a large skillet or saucepan on the stovetop over medium high heat and melt butter, brown sugar, milk and 1 Tbsp. of syrup, stirring the whole time. When fully melted, add in powdered sugar and continue mixing until left with a smooth glaze. Immediately remove from heat, and mix in 2 tsp. maple extract. Once fully combined, pour glaze into dish large enough to fit maple bars, and begin dipping each maple bar one at a time, top side only. Return glazed maple bars to rack and let set. And enjoy!
*Note, if glaze thickens, return to heat and feel free to add a little more milk to thin out.AAlso, you may want to double recipe for glaze, if you plan to coat bars heavily.