Rich Maple Butter Bars
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With a shortbread-like crust, a rich creamy topping, and a decadent maple flavor throughout, these Rich Maple Butter Bars are a delightfully sweet dessert that is perfect for fall.
We’re Making Rich Maple Butter Bars
Like many of you, the autumn season has all of my favorite flavors. From pumpkin to apple to cinnamon and everything between, I just can’t get enough. Maple is another favorite and it wouldn’t feel right to let the season pass without whipping up a tasty maple dessert recipe.
That’s why I couldn’t be more excited to bring you these Rich Maple Butter Bars. The base of these bars is a light shortbread-like cookie. They get topped with a rich maple-infused creamy custard that bakes up to pure decadence. The combo of the two works nicely together and with that splash of maple extract, these really suit the season.
I took my rich maple butter bars to the next level by dressing them up with some of my cinnamon sugar pie crust cookies. I had some extra pie dough on hand and I thought it would make these dessert bars look extra special. This additional step is totally optional, however, these cookies are simple to make and add a lovely finishing touch. You can grab the recipe HERE.
Want more maple recipes for fall? Try these:
- Maple Walnut Cupcakes
- Maple Apple Blondies
- Maple Cream Cookies
- Pumpkin Muffins with Maple Glaze
- Maple Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
I also want to mention the platter that I’m serving these on. I’m certain the pattern has a name (let me know if you know in the comments below), but it always reminds me of dinner at my great aunt’s house. I see this pattern all the time at antique stores. It comes in bowls, plates, dinnerware, etc. I finally decided to pick up this larger platter. It works perfectly for serving up tasty fall treats like these bars and adds a touch of nostalgia. Love that!
Before we go any further, I want to quickly mention that today I’m being joined by my Tastes of the Season blogger friends. So, if you too are a huge fan of anything maple, be sure to check out our delicious collection of maple-inspired recipes at the end of this post. You can bet that every recipe is delish. I’ve already added several to my fall baking list.
And with all of that out of the way, let’s get baking!
How to Make:
I’ll walk you through the steps here. I’ve also provided a detailed ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.
- Begin by preheating your oven to 325 degrees F.
- Spray a 9×13 pan with baking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the butter, maple syrup, egg, and vanilla.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until evenly combined.
- Using your hands, press this mixture into your prepared pan.
- With a mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
- Add in confectioners’ sugar, eggs, maple syrup, and maple extract. Beat until smooth.
- Pour this mixture over the base layer in the pan.
- Bake for about 50-55 minutes or until the edges are starting to brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly.
- Optional: Once removed from the oven, immediately top with cinnamon sugar pie crust cookies.
- Allow the bars to cool completely. Slice into 20 small rectangles.
- Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar.
Serve and enjoy the flavors of fall!
Pretty straightforward, right?
I’d like to tell you that you could make this recipe without a mixer, but because you will need to eliminate any clumps in your cream cheese, a mixer will be the best way to do it. Trust me. I tried.
Recipes Notes:
I did mention this above, but I just wanted to remind you that can get the recipe for my cinnamon sugar pie crust cookies HERE. They are totally optional, but I think they add a little something extra to these rich maple butter bars. You can find the leaf cookie cutters I used HERE and HERE.
As these bars sit, the initial sprinkle of confectioners’ sugar will go away. Consequently, I recommend another sprinkle just before serving them. I store a bit of confectioners’ sugar in a container like THIS ONE which makes it fuss-free to add a little shake of sugar whenever you need it.
Enjoy and Happy Baking!
That’s a wrap on another fabulous fall dessert recipe. If you’re looking for a new autumnal sweet, definitely give these rich maple butter bars a try.
Enjoy them? I’d love to know! Be sure to stop back and leave a message and a five-star rating in the comment section below.
Happy Fall Y’all!
Tastes of the Season Maple Recipes:
And if you’re craving more maple goodness (I am!), be sure to visit my blogger friends below. Don’t their recipes look wonderful? I’m confident you’ll find more deliciousness to try.
Maple Butter Twist Bread by Ella Claire & Co. | No-Churn Maple Pecan Praline Ice Cream by Freutcake | Rich Maple Butter Bars by Inspired by Charm
Roasted Maple Spiced Mixed Nuts by Zevy Joy | Easy Homemade Toasted Maple Granolaby Handmade Farmhouse
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Rich Maple Butter Bars
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping:
- 1 ½ package 12 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ cup confectioners’ sugar plus more for sprinkling
- 4 eggs
- ¾ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon maple extract
- 20 cinnamon sugar pie crust cookies*
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 pan with baking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Then, in a medium bowl whisk together the butter, maple syrup, egg, and vanilla.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until evenly combined. Using your hands, press this mixture into your prepared pan.
- Next, with a mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add in the confectioners’ sugar, eggs, maple syrup, and maple extract. Beat until smooth. Pour this mixture over the base layer in the pan.
- Bake for about 50-55 minutes or until the edges are starting to brown and the center is set, but still slightly jiggly.
- Optional: Once removed from the oven, immediately top with cinnamon sugar pie crust cookies.
- Allow the bars to cool completely. Slice into 20 small rectangles.
- Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar. (If needed, sprinkle again with more confectioners’ sugar before serving.)
Is it really 18 oz of cream cheese, or is the “1½” listed amount in the recipe a typo? It seems odd to write it out that way because 12 oz is not a universal quantity for cream cheese to be sold in (I was only able to find 8 oz packages).
I have to provide a sweet for an upcoming Autumn afternoon tea, and would like to make these bars. The recipe says it is 20 servings. Could you please give me an idea of the size of the bars in your photos? Thanks!
These are outrageously delicious! They’ve got a wonderful maple flavor, and are very rich. They also freeze very well. As a maple maniac, these are definitely going in my cookie rotation! Thanks so much for a great recipe!
Hi–I wanted to make these a day ahead–should I store at room temp or in fridge for a day?
Thanks, Karyn
I kept mine in an airtight container at room temperature.
xo Michael
Thanks! I’ll let you know how they turn out!
Oh wow these look amazing! I’m thinking of making these for a get together but then I saw your maple apple blondies and can’t decide. Do you have a favorite or thoughts on which would appeal most to a group? Your desserts are so lovely…thank you!
Never mind…I went with these bars and they were so yummy! Big hit with everyone. Thank you for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed them Julie!
xo Michael
I baked these for my family and everyone was thrilled. They scream fall and the maple flavor is perfect. Another great recipe that is going in our family favorites. Thank you for sharing your culinary talents.
You are so kind, Lisa! Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed the bars.
xo Michael
The platter is Jewel Tea Company Autumn Leaf pattern. It was made from 1933-1978 and is the prize collection of Jewel Tea patterns. It just screams fall.
Thank you so much!!
xo Michael
I’ve never wanted to reach through a screen and grab something so bad. These look mouthwatering! You cake everything so inviting.
You’re the best! Thank you!!
xo Michael