Canadian parents are in overwhelming agreement that raising caring and generous children is one of their top priorities. This, along with other key insights, was gathered through Minute Maid Moments poll conducted earlier this year in partnership with Leger, an independent research firm. Data revealed despite obvious time constraints, Canadian parents are dedicated to instilling generosity in their kids from a young age, both through what they say and how they act.
The poll revealed that 83% of Canadian parents want their kids to behave generously. Some of the ways that parents want their children to give to others include:
– Through random acts of kindness, like writing friendly surprise notes for friends and family (77%);
– By offering to help neighbours in simple ways, such as carrying groceries (67%);
– Through acknowledging their friends’/family member’s birthdays with little gestures like a phone call or handwritten card can go a long way (53%);
– By making gifts for others, including baked treats and homemade crafts (43%).
And Minute Maid is here to help Canadian parents with fun, new ways to teach generosity. By partnering with the Canadian Living Test Kitchen, Minute Maid has developed recipes that are perfect for gifting. Also, these recipes are sure to bring a smile to neighbours, friends and family members’ faces, while also giving parents one more tool they can use to instill goodness – one moment at a time.
Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Icing
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp salt
Pinch each ground cloves and ground nutmeg
1 cup grated carrots
1/2 cup Chilled Minute Maid® Original 100% Orange Juice
Cream Cheese Icing:
1/4 cup cream cheese
4 tsp Chilled Minute Maid® Original 100% Orange Juice
1/2 tsp vanilla
1-1/2 cups icing sugar
In large bowl, beat butter with brown sugar until combined; beat in eggs, one at a time, and vanilla. In separate bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, ginger, salt, cloves and nutmeg. Stir into butter mixture; mix in carrots. Stir in Chilled Minute Maid® Original 100% Orange Juice. Scrape batter into parchment paper–lined 8-inch (2 L) metal cake pan. Bake in 325°F (160°C) oven until cake pulls away from side of pan and cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan; let cool completely.
Cream Cheese Icing: In bowl, beat together cream cheese, Chilled Minute Maid® Original 100% Orange Juice and vanilla until smooth; beat in icing sugar, one-third at a time, until thick, but smooth. Spread over cake. Cut into bars.
Mini Mixed Berry Crisps
Ingredients:
4 cups frozen mixed berries
2/3 cup Chilled Minute Maid® Mixed Berry
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp cornstarch
Topping:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick-cooking (not instant) rolled oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, melted
In large bowl, combine berries, Chilled Minute Maid® Mixed Berry and vanilla; sprinkle with cornstarch and toss to combine. Divide among eight 1/2-cup (125 mL) canning jars. Topping: In bowl, whisk flour, oats, sugar and cinnamon; drizzle with butter, tossing with fork until in coarse crumbs. Top berry mixture in each jar with some of the topping. Place jars on baking sheet. Bake in 350°F (180°C) oven until topping is golden and crisp and filling is bubbly, about 35 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
For more info and recipes, Canadian Parents can visit www.minutemaid.ca.