I learned some unhealthy habits from my dad such as constant chewing of Doublemint Gum, having a little coffee in my morning cream and sugar, putting peanut butter on and in EVERYTHING (including meatloaf!) and indulging regularly on maple bars.
What is a maple bar?
If you don’t live on the West Coast, you may be wondering what a maple bar is. I used to think that these rectangular, maple glaze topped donuts were available everywhere. On an internship in Burlington, Vermont, however; I discovered that you can’t get them on the East Coast. Not even in Vermont, a state known for its maple syrup!
Maple Bar Mania!
I’ve now replaced the habits I learned from my dad with healthier vegan alternatives. Normally I’m fine with this, but on Sunday my husband asked me if I wanted to check out a coffee shop in San Diego that had vegan maple donuts. My cravings came flooding back and with visions of maple bars dancing in my head, off we went.
When my husband and I arrived at Dark Horse Coffee Roasters, I was delighted to see that they had a variety of vegan baked goods, including a maple doughnut. I ordered this and tried to order an almond milk latte, but was told that they don’t make espresso drinks. So I just ordered a regular coffee.
The maple doughnut was tasty, but I was still disappointed. For one thing, it was round instead of rectangular. This would have been okay if it had at least been a raised doughnut, but it wasn’t. It was a cake-style doughnut, something I’ve never been a fan of.
Vegan Maple Bar Recipe
Now it’s Thursday and I’m still craving a maple bar. I searched online this morning, and I found a promising Vegan Maple Bar recipe from Hell Yea it’s Vegan! I’m sure this would satisfy my craving, but do I really need the indulgence?
Vegan Maple Bars from Hell Yea it’s Vegan!
If you know of a healthy maple recipe that might satisfy my craving, I’d love to hear it!
Photo of maple bars at top of post courtesy of pinfoody.com.
Honk If You're Vegan 
Oh man. I could really go for one… or maybe six of those right now.
I have a few times mentioned my weakness for maple long johns! That is what we call them here! I love the vanilla cream inside and the maple flavoring outside. I am glad to know you have this weakness, too! Glad to know I can pass the vegan version on to my younger daughter who may bless me with one of these someday! Smiles, Robin
Hehe, I didn’t know they were called long johns in other areas. No mater the name, they sure are delightful!!! Have a great weekend Robin. Celeste 🙂
“having a little coffee in my morning cream and sugar” lol. When I lived on the east coast I couldn’t believe the indulgences with maple syrup and such slathered over breakfast, which is ideally meant to be a healthy set-up for the day.
Whenever my husband and I travel, we typically eat the free breakfast offered by hotels. We usually eat oatmeal and fruit, but when we look around at what the other guests are eating it’s usually rich, fatty, syrup slathered stuff. Maybe people only eat like that when they’re on vacation, I don’t know. Of course, we splurge on occasion too, so who am I to judge. Have a great weekend! Celeste 🙂
Only another California girl can fully appreciate the love for a good maple bar! And you’re right, they are impossible to find on the East Coast. I once had a poor imitation at a Dunkin Donuts, ick… I don’t know if I want to know how to make them though.. Might be too dangerous 😉
It’s been years since I’ve had a proper maple bar! I’ve been craving one, but like you I don’t know if I want to start making them. I might just let the craving pass – we’ll see!! Have a great weekend! Celeste 🙂
I am sooooo jealous. I love maple syrup and maple uh EVERYTHING. I can’t get anything even remotely close to it here in North-east Brazil. Might be in Canada at the end of June/beginning of July. I will definitely have to stock up while I’m there. Usually I bring back 1 jug of it with me. I think I just may pick up 3 (or 30) this time. Ok, not 30. My hubby would kill me.
=)
Staci
Really? No maple syrup? I haven’t traveled much, so I typically assume that most things I eat here are available in most places. Ignorant, I know! And don’t you think that you want something more when you know you can’t have it? I’m sure 30 jugs of maple syrup would last you for a few weeks – hehe! Have a great weekend Staci! Celeste 🙂
I know. Can you believe it? Boohoo. And I’m only in Canada every two years or so. My habit now is to always make sure I get maple syrup and pure vanilla extract.
You have a great weekend too.
Blessings =)
I LOVE maple! When I was very young, my dad used to take me out every Sunday for maple long johns. I, too, would love a recipe! Thank you, my dear.
Yep! We went out for donuts every Sunday after church. Anyway, I hope you give the recipe a try. I’m still not sure if I’m gonna make them or not. Maybe I’ll wait until my parents come for a visit. Have a great weekend Stacey! Celeste 🙂
Oh my gosh, they sound AMAZING! I hope you find a healthy recipe that you can make and feed back, I would love to experience the maple bar one day! I hope you are well Celeste!
So you’ve never had a maple bar? Well, if you ever get out to California I’ll make this recipe and we can share a little indulgence. Thanks so much for reading Poppy and I hope you have a fab weekend! Celeste 🙂
Nope, and never even heard of them before Celeste! I’m never losing faith that once I’m no longer a poor student I will get out to California and have a baking day with you!
I hope you have a great weekend too, I’m having my two big sisters over for lunch tomorrow so am looking forward to that! 😀
Oh wow these sound so good! I must try these one day!
Please let me know if you do!!! Have a great weekend! Celeste 🙂
OH my! These look delicious Celeste!
craving maple now ughhh those are beautiful
Never heard of a maple bar!! It’s amazing how we can live in the same country and have such different culinary regions!
I know!!! I was so surprised that I couldn’t find maple bars on the East Coast. I bet you’ve never had an It’s-It bar either. That’s another thing I missed when I moved away from California. Have a great weekend! Celeste 🙂
Definitely have not!!! What is it?!
Why don’t I know about maple bars, I’m Canadian, maple goes on everything! 😉 They sound awesome. I hope you make them!
You’d think that maple bars would be all the rage in Canada (and Vermont, where the maple syrup I buy comes from), but no. When I couldn’t find them on the East Coast, I did some research and found that they’re only popular in Northern California, Oregon and Washington. Even where we live in Southern California, they’re hard to find. Of course, I haven’t looked for them because they’re not vegan (or healthy). Anyway, I might wait to make this recipe when my parents come for a visit. That way, my dad can have one too. Have a great weekend! Celeste 🙂
That’s really interesting that they are only popular in Northern California, and not even in Southern California. Well, when you do make them, please share! Have a lovely weekend as well, Celeste. 🙂
Currently laughing out loud because you put peanut butter on your meatloaf! This sounds like something I would do…These sound amazing Celeste! I’ll definitely have to try them sometime! Xx
Hehe – yes, my dad really did make peanut butter meat loaf. It’s a running joke in my family. Thanks so much for stopping by chica! Celeste 🙂
From the pictures, I would argue you might need the indulgence. Although, two hours is a long time to wait…. 🙂
Hehehe! Okay, if I’ve got your blessing. Celeste 🙂
yummy
These pictures look absolutely delicious. I think the indulgence might be a wonderful treat. Why not spoil yourself here and there?! 🙂
I just might give in, we’ll see!!! Anywho, thanks so much fro reading – I appreciate it! Have a great weekend. Celeste 🙂
Enjoy your weekend as well 🙂
Oh no, this is my weakness! A vegan version means I’m not safe! These look amazing!
I’m not safe right there with you Laura!!!!! Oh well, as long as it’s just once in a while a little indulgence is okay. Have a great weekend! Celeste 🙂
These look absolutely scrumptious! I’m a sucker for doughnuts – they are definitely one of my weaknesses. Maple doughnuts, especially – which I imagine to be similar to your maple bars. Lovely post 🙂
Reblogged this on Wolf Is My Soul and commented:
Looks delicious!! =)
Never tryed it, but sure looks tasty 🙂
Wonderful 😀
Look delicious, thanks for sharing.
Looks and sounds very tempting indeed. No wonder you are craving it girl! I have never tried one so thanks for sharing with us. I’m gonna have to put this on my to try food list. 😉 Is it possible to make it gluten-free??
I also love this blog a lot & the tasty recipes too, of course! x MMMMM! Another must try!
I have never heard of or tried a maple bar, but man it sounds amazing to me! Anything maple flavored I would love and of course I LOVE donuts!!!
I love maple bars esp the ones at Voodoo Donuts! I would choose maple bars first when it comes to ordering vegan donuts!
Aye, ya got me. I’ve been guilty of going crazy on Krispy Kreme donuts earlier this month.
It will soon be maple syrup season here in Ontario. We live a half hour drive from the “World’s Largest One Day Maple Syrup Festival” – wish they serve vegan donuts glazed with maple syrup!
♥ carmen
http://www.elmiramaplesyrup.com/
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