You guys. These bars are out. of. freakin’. control.
And they’re my absolute newest favorite. Maybe ever. I’m not afraid to put a ring on it.
This idea, like many of mine, came from my undying love for donuts of all shapes, sizes, and flavors. That, and my Glazed Donut Pie, which continues to be one of the most popular recipes on my site. If you haven’t made it yet, your life is in serious need of an overhaul, spiritual realignment, and a donut pie addition. For real.
So these bars are basically the donut pie if the donut pie made a love child with a coffee cake. It came to me one day while I was salivating over the donut holes in the grocery store. You know, the prepackaged ones, with all their glorious options (powdered, cinnamon sugar, glazed, chocolate…) and their larger, more sophisticated brethren, the donut. I was trying very hard to come up with a reason to buy the donuts besides inhaling them in a single sitting while simultaneously watching Keeping Up With The Kardashians and contemplating my poor life choices. Because let’s be real, that happens on a near daily basis. Sadly. I need a life.
And it was in this pivotal moment when I noticed the coffee cake muffins and an idea struck me over top the head as I slid a handful of donut hole boxes into my cart with unabashed happiness. I would combine donuts with coffee cake, and it’ll be freaking magical.
Friends. Magical it was. My sister and I stood over the pan after I finished photographing these and shoveled piece by piece into our mouths wordlessly, just slow blinking because they taste so effing amazing, as we ate in unison. It was a sisterly bonding moment I’ll cherish forever. Not really.
ANYWHO. You are in sore need of these bars and it’s already high time you made them. They’re sweet, spicy from the cinnamon, crumbly from the thiiiiiick streusel on top and just so comforting. They remind me of a giant bear hug for your belly. And believe you me, your belleh needs a hug.
Hugs.
*adapted from my Glazed Donut Pie recipe
- 2 (15 oz) boxes glazed cake donut holes, cut in half (I used Entenmann's Pop-Ems)
- 1 & ½ sticks butter, melted
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch nutmeg
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- FOR CRUMBLE TOPPING:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Liberally grease a 13x9" baking pan with cooking spray; fill the bottom of the pan with the halved donut holes until they're tightly packed in the pan in an even layer.
- Mix together the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, beaten eggs and vanilla with a whisk until blended; pour the mixture evenly over top of the donut hole pieces, smoothing it over the top if needed so all the pieces are coated. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the crumble ingredients until thick, coarse crumbs are formed. Crumble the streusel mixture over top of the bars as evenly as possible. Bake for approx. 18-22 minutes or until the top is golden and the center appears set and not super jiggly. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
- *NOTE: the bars aren't as solid as say, a brownie. They tend to fall apart as they're dense. You probably won't get super clean cuts from this but you may if it sets longer, such as overnight. Note that this is almost like a casserole bake rather than a definitive bar.
Oh my word. I really don’t have much to say except to MAKE THESE NOW! And then invite me over since we’re such good friends and I introduced you to your newest BFF.
These are so dense, thick and plush from the cake donut holes. They taste like a giant cinnamon-studded coffee cake donut, all rich, fluffy and fabulous. You’ll love the brown sugary streusel on top of the gooey baked donuts. This casserole-ish inspired bar recipe is simply DIVINE.
Have a wonderful, super sweet day!
xo, Hayley
This is evil genius. I love it. Don’t mind if I have one of those for breakfast! 🙂
June – I totally wish I had more! Thanks friend, and Happy Friday!
Want to try this!! when you halve the donut holes and put them on the bottom, should they go face down so they can balance?
Hi Diana! Yes, that’s perfect. There will be a lot of donut holes so you want to really pack them in there so they’re a single, even layer 🙂
You are one brilliant baker, Hayley. What’s a weekend without the perfect sweetness of morning donut coffee cake?! I’m sending a million high-fives your way. Can you imagine how good these would be with a cinnamon dolce latte? Oh boy. 😀
DUDE. These would be AWESOME with a cinnamon dulce latte! AMAZING. Have a great birthday weekend, Erin!
I want a donut pie lovechild. NOW 🙂
Dude. It’ll be your favorite child 😉 Haha!
Have mercy, this is pure diabolical genius!!
Thanks Megan!!
You come up with some of the most amazing combinations! These bars look incredible!
Thanks so much, Jessica – I’m so glad someone else thinks so 🙂 Have a great day!
it’s the breakfast of TRUE champions!!! Donuts & coffee cake and just….ya know….overall yumliciousness
True that, girlfriend! <3
This just might be the best coffee cake EVER! You are brilliant!
Thanks so much, Tonia! You’re making me blush 🙂
This recipe makes my heart happy! I love these types of breakfasts for weekends on my cheat days! This recipe is a public service. 🙂
You and me both, sista! Thanks Shawn 😀
Woah Hayley, I praise your bakery! I’m not an expert so surely my first ten attempts will be a complete fail but… the eleventh? That one…! 😉
Oh Lily, you make me smile 🙂 I’m sure they’ll turn out perfect the first time!
I’m not sure what makes these sound more irresistible to me the donut or the crumble, heck yes!
Emily – RIGHT!? They’re INSANITY. Thanks friend! xoxo!
This is out of control!!
Thanks Laura!!
Thanks for sharing this post,. It is really very good post. I love to eat any things, which is related to coffee. I am a big coffee lover. I love to eat this also.