Maple Bars (Chocolate too!)

Note:  Pic is from original blog site www.djsfavoriterecipes.blogspot.com

as is the recipe.

I found baked donut perfection yesterday.  Nirvana achieved.  Don't change a thing .. I mean it.  I'll know...

Bars

1 1/2 cups milk
1/3 cup shortening
4 Tablespoons granulated sugar (divided 3 tbls and 1 tbls)
 2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup lukewarm water
2 envelopes yeast (4 1/2 tsp)
2 large eggs, beaten
4 3/4 cups flour (plus more if dough is sticky)

In a medium saucepan scald milk (bring to almost a boil with bubbles forming at edge of pan); add shortening, 3 tablespoons sugar, salt and cinnamon.  Stir to combine and set aside to cool to lukewarm.

In a large bowl mix yeast and lukewarm water.  Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and stir lightly.  Let sit for about 5 minutes until it starts to bubble and become foamy.  Add eggs to yeast and stir to combine.   Stir in the lukewarm milk mixture until well combined.  Gradually add in the flour.  Add more flour until dough is no longer sticky.  Knead for 3 to 5 minutes.  Turn dough into a greased bowl.  Let it raise for about an hour or until double in size.

Punch down and roll out into a large rectangle about 1/2 inch thick.  Cut into rectangles about 5"x 2". Should make about 2 dozen.  Place on greased baking sheet(s).  Let raise for 30 minutes.

Turn on oven to 425'.  Bake the bars for 7 to 8 minutes or until light golden brown.  Remove from pan and place on wire rack to cool for 5 minutes before frosting.

Making icing while the bars are baking (I made both at the same time: it wasn't difficult.)

Maple Icing

1/3 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp maple flavoring

In a small sauce pan mix butter and brown sugar and milk.  Bring to a boil on medium heat.  Simmer for 3 minutes, stir occassionally.  Remove from heat and cool for 15 minutes (IMPORTANT - Don't skip cooling!)  Add maple flavoring and powdered sugar.  Whisk until smooth.  Spread liberally on bars.  Icing will set in about 15 minutes.

Chocolate Icing (not as sweet) (from Alton Brown 2004)

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
2 tsp vanilla
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate - chopped coarsely
2 cups powdered sugar

Combine butter, milk, corn syrup and vanilla in medium sauce pan and heat over medium heat until butter is melted.  Decrease heat to low, add the chocolate and whisk until melted.  Take off heat and add the powdered sugar whisking until smooth.  Drizzle over bars until coated thoroughly.  Glaze will set in about 30 minutes ... if they last that long.