Maple Bars are everyone's favorites!!! For a Celebration of Life for our Nana, I made a ton of these (only miniature versions).
Ingredients: Bars/Glaze
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup slightly warm milk
1 teaspoon salt
4 egg yolks
1/3 cup organic vegetable shortening or butter (melted)
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon maple extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I just use all maple!!)
Directions: Bars/Glaze
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl if doing by hand), dissolve yeast in milk and allow to sit for about 5 minutes until bubbly. Beat in eggs and sugar, then butter and salt until combined. Add flour a cup at a time until it comes together into a smooth dough. Place in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and place in warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours. (Alternatively, you can refrigerate the dough overnight.)
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle roughly 1/2 an inch thick and 10x12 inches. Cut into 10 bars (about 5 x 2 1/4in) and place bars on clean tray in a warm lace to rise for about 45 minutes.
While the bars are rising stir you'r glaze together. Whisk syrup, vanilla, milk, and salt in a medium bowl. Add powdered sugar a cup at a time and stir until smooth.
Heat about 3 inches of oil in a large high-sided skillet or pot to 350 degrees F (180 C). Gently lift 2 to 3 bars at a time and drop carefully into oil. Fry on each side for 35 to 45 seconds until golden then flip and repeat on other side. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to gently lift them out and place on a plate lined with paper towels.
Dip bars in glaze while still warm and place them on a wire rack to dry for a few minutes before serving.
