Description

Enjoy the comforting and classic taste of Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Bars made with plant-based ingredients. These bars feature a tender, moist crumb enhanced by a natural gelling agent for the perfect soft bite. Ideal for breakfast, dessert, or a nostalgic snack, they combine traditional donut flavors in an easy-to-make bar form that delivers warmth and satisfaction in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (natural)
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (natural)
1 teaspoon natural gelling agent

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup plant-based butter, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 cup natural buttermilk (plant-based)
1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (natural)
1 tablespoon grape juice

Instructions

Prepare Your Pan and Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the donut bars. Gather and measure all ingredients so that you can work smoothly during mixing.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and the natural gelling agent. This step helps distribute the spices and leaveners evenly throughout the batter for consistent texture.
Cream Plant-Based Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer or a sturdy whisk, beat the softened plant-based butter and light brown sugar together until the mixture is fluffy and creamy. Aerating the mixture contributes to a tender crumb in the finished bars.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the natural buttermilk (plant-based), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, vanilla extract (natural), and grape juice. This flavorful liquid base enriches the batter with moisture and complexity.
Incorporate Wet and Dry Mixtures: Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding gently to keep the batter light and airy. Avoid overmixing to maintain a soft texture.
Transfer Batter and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top evenly. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Slice: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the donut bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, lift them out using the parchment paper and slice into squares. The natural gelling agent helps set the texture during cooling.

Notes

Use room temperature plant-based butter and buttermilk (plant-based) for smooth, even mixing.
Fold ingredients carefully to avoid overmixing and dense bars.
Line your pan with parchment paper to facilitate easy removal and clean edges.
Test doneness with a toothpick to avoid overbaking and ensure moist, tender bars.
Adjust cinnamon and nutmeg to your preferred spice level, adding gradually.
To make gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend containing a natural gelling agent.
If buttermilk (plant-based) is unavailable, mix plant-based milk with 1 teaspoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, let it sit for a few minutes to thicken.
Optional glazing: drizzle with a glaze made from natural powdered sugar and grape juice for extra sweetness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 180
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 27g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: buttermilk donut bars, plant-based donut bars, old-fashioned donut bars, vegan donut bars, gluten-free donut bars, breakfast bars, dessert bars