As much as I love to cook and bake (especially One Bowl Brownies), bringing food to parties—particularly parties where I’m meeting people for the first time—completely stresses me. When people hear that I’m a food blogger, I assume their expectation is that a beam of heavenly light will shine from above upon their first bite. It’s the sort of pressure that causes me to speak unnaturally loud when introducing myself, forget the name of my own blog, or even overbake my most perfect and foolproof batch of Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies. Fortunately, these maple bourbon bars are a tried-and-true recipe that has always placed me in good standing with new neighbors.
Maple bourbon bars have the soft and chewy texture of a blondie (like these Cinnamon Blondies).The distinctly fall flavors of maple and brown sugar.The rich, toffee flavor of browned butter (Brown Butter Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies are also another surefire hit with new neighbors).Walnuts that add subtle warmth and crunch.AND oh yes—the bourbon (the piece de resistance)!
PLUS, with strong notes of vanilla, oak, and caramel, the flavor of bourbon pairs splendidly with the maple syrup, so I took the liberty of spiking the bars and drizzling a maple bourbon glaze over the top. (Bourbon fans will also enjoy these delicious Bourbon Balls.)
How to Make Maple Bourbon Bars
With a heavenly combination of maple, walnuts, brown sugar, bourbon, and browned butter, maple bourbon bars will quickly have your neighbors calling you the “bourbon bar” girl/dude. (There are worse nicknames, I suppose.)
The Ingredients
Butter. The smell alone of the browned butter bubbling in your kitchen may have you second-guessing sharing these maple bourbon bars.Brown Sugar. For extra depth, I recommend using robustly flavored dark brown sugar for maple bourbon bars.Flour. A 50/50 blend of white whole wheat flour and all purpose flour gives these bars body while still keeping them light. (It’s a blend I’ve used in countless Well Plated baking recipes).Maple Syrup. Offers some natural sweetness and intense maple flavor that pairs beautifully with the bourbon.Bourbon. The smooth vanilla and caramel flavor of the oaky bourbon enhance EVERYTHING about these boozy bars (as well as this Gingerbread Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce).Vanilla. Balances and mellows out the sweetness of the bars.Eggs. Add moisture and provide tenderness.Walnuts. For just the right amount of crunch.
The Directions
Storage Tips
To Store. Keep leftover bars well-wrapped in the refrigerator or at room temperature for up to three days.To Freeze. Maple bourbon bars may also be wrapped individually in plastic and kept in the freezer for up to three months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Light is definitely shining from above now…or, given the bourbon, would the light more appropriately shine from below?
More Boozy Bourbon Recipes
Boozy Apple Pie SmoothiesBourbon Cream Cheese Stuffed French ToastHot Buttered Bourbon
