Detroit-Style Baked Blueberry Donut Bars
Moist and tender baked bars inspired by Detroit’s famous donut shops, filled with fresh blueberries and topped with a simple glaze. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 9, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking pan.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt until evenly combined.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Add 2 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 5: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and 1/3 cup whole milk in three parts, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined.
- Step 6: Carefully fold in 1 cup fresh blueberries to avoid breaking them.
- Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Step 8: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges are golden.
- Step 9: While bars bake, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 tbsp lemon juice until smooth to make a glaze.
- Step 10: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan, then drizzle the lemon glaze evenly over the top before cutting into squares and serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Detroit-Style Baked Blueberry Donut Bars take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Detroit-Style Baked Blueberry Donut Bars?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Detroit-Style Baked Blueberry Donut Bars?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Detroit-Style Baked Blueberry Donut Bars for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 9 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 9). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Detroit-Style Baked Blueberry Donut Bars?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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