maple leaf

Maple Leaf Cupcakes Make an Easy and Delicious Canada Day Treat

June 29, 2015 by Kathryn 41 Comments

I love cooking up special treats for special occasions, and with Canada Day coming up so quickly, I couldn’t resist making something tasty to celebrate our country! The Kraft Canada website is always a go-to resource for me when I want delicious Canada Day recipes and its Jell-O based Flag Cake is a treat I’ve made many years in the past. But this year I decided to switch things up a bit and make cupcakes instead! To keep with the theme, I used Red Velvet cake mix and a tasty cream cheese frosting.

Maple Leaf Cupcakes

Simple red and white cupcakes perfect for Canada Day

Course Dessert

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 24

Author Kathryn

Ingredients

1 box Red Velvet cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1/3 cup oil
4 oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese softened
1/2 cup butter softened
3 cups icing sugar
1/2 cup sliced strawberries

Instructions

Prepare cake mix using eggs, milk and oil. Pour into paper-lined muffin tin and bake according to package directions.
Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and butter together until fluffy. Gradually beat in icing sugar.
Cool cupcakes completely and frost with cream cheese icing.
Arrange strawberry slices on top to resemble maple leaf.

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Fuel Yourself Up with New Maple Leaf Natural Selections #PROTINIS-Giveaway

June 19, 2014 by Kathryn 149 Comments

I am a huge fan of protein and when I start to feel a little bogged down or low on energy, my first reaction is always to cut out simple carbs and increase the amount of protein, fruits and vegetables in my diet. But there are times when I’m rushing around away from home and the only option for filling my stomach is a takeout burger that’s bound to do my body no good at all. So what’s a busy mom in need of a snack to do? Grab new Maple Leaf Natural Selections PROTINIS, of course!

I recently got the chance to check out these handy snack packs featuring oven-roasted chicken with either sweet fruit on the side or savoury seasoning. Being a huge fan of mango, I decided to try the PROTINIS Chicken and Mango variety. Containing oven-roasted chicken breast strips and dried mango slices, it was two of my favourite foods in one handy little package. [Read more…]

Come Join in the @MapleLeafPrime #BreakUpWithGroundBeef Twitter Party May 15, 9pm EST

May 8, 2013 by Kathryn 16 Comments

I love a big juicy burger. In fact, homemade burgers fresh off the barbeque are one of my favourite things about summer. But did you know that many of the most popular recipes featuring ground beef, including those tasty barbequed burgers, can be just as delicious when made with ground chicken or turkey? That’s why Maple Leaf Prime, with the help of special guest Chef Bob Villeneuve, wants to show you how deliciously satisfying it can be to break up with ground beef!

Now don’t panic. We all love ground beef, and that’s not going to change. But surely there’s room in our hearts (and stomachs) for more, and summer is no time to be exclusive! Come join us on May 15th, 2013 at 9pm EST for the #BreakUpWithGroundBeef Twitter party and get some tips on how you can liven up your meals with Maple Leaf Prime Ground Chicken and Ground Turkey. [Read more…]

Come Join in the Sun-Maid #SunMaid100 Twitter Party November 28, 9pm-10pm EST

November 18, 2012 by Kathryn 6 Comments

Who doesn’t remember Sun-Maid’s Raisin Cinnamon Swirl Bread that we all used to love as a toasted treat from our childhood? I knew Sun-Maid raisins had been a popular Canadian food for decades, but I was surprised to learn that Sun-Maid is actually celebrating its 100^th anniversary this year! To commemorate this amazing accomplishment, Maple Leaf Foods® is throwing a fabulous birthday celebration Twitter Party!

On Wednesday, November 28, 2012 from 9pm-10pm EST we’ll be chatting about making celebrations easy and fun and reminiscing about favourite childhood foods at the #SunMaid100 Twitter Party. Host Kathy Buckworth will be keeping the conversation going with lots of lively talk about how you celebrate special moments in your family! [Read more…]

Create the Ultimate Sandwich with Maple Leaf Deli-fresh Sandwich Meat-Giveaway

November 16, 2012 by Kathryn 166 Comments

I have to say that overall, I really like making lunches every day, even if I do sometimes flounder for ideas a bit. Zackary is pretty easy to please as far as lunch is concerned; he likes fresh fruit, granola bars and sandwiches loaded with meat. As a result, we go through a lot of deli meat and I always have my eye out for the newest variety to hit the shelves. So I enthusiastically agreed when I was given the chance to try new Maple Leaf Deli-fresh sandwich meat.

maple leaf deli fresh collection As it happens, my small town has a local butcher shop that sells the most amazing beef jerky, sausage and sandwich meat, among other things. Having the meat freshly sliced to order makes a huge difference in the taste and so I was very curious to see if Maple Leaf Deli-fresh sandwich meat could compare.

Maple Leaf Deli-fresh comes in four different varieties and I decided on the Oven Roasted Chicken Breast and Sirloin Roast Beef to review. I sent Zackary off to school with a chicken sandwich on rye, but I knew that to really judge the quality of the meat, I would have to whip up a sandwich for myself too! [Read more…]

Come Join in the @Dempsters #BreakfastReady Twitter Party October 4, 9pm-10pm EST

September 29, 2012 by Kathryn 26 Comments

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but with a little planning, breakfast can be the most delicious meal of the day too. And to help you get some tips and tricks for making your morning meal fun and easy, Dempsters® and Maple Leaf Foods® are throwing a fabulous breakfast-themed Twitter Party! With Dempsters® bread products providing key nutrition and irresistible Maple Leaf Foods® bacon adding its mouth-watering taste, breakfast is sure to be a delight!

On Thursday, October 4, 2012 from 9pm-10pm EST we’ll be chatting about ways to make breakfast more delicious at the #BreakfastReady Twitter Party. Whether you’re a hard-working commuter looking for ways to grab a quick and nutritious meal to go or a busy mom with a house full of hungry mouths to feed every morning, this is a party that will have you inspired to add more “yum” to your morning. And special guest Kathy Buckworth is going to be joining us too! [Read more…]

Taste the Goodness of the New Freshly Baked Dempster’s Bagels!

March 14, 2012 by Kathryn 2 Comments

Have you heard the legend of the bagel? There is an old story about a ruler who, centuries ago, was looking for new sources of income and decided to charge a tax on the ovens that bakers used to make their bread. One innovative baker decided that to avoid the tax, he would cook his bread dough in boiling water instead of baking it. And so the bagel was created. In fact, some people even claim that the ruler was so delighted by the new, chewy delicacy that he cancelled the tax on the bake ovens!

Dempster's 12 Grains Bagels Whether or not this story is true, there is one part of it that almost every person agrees with: bagels are delicious! And recently Dempster’s has made the already-popular bagel even better with a brand new recipe that is baked fresh every day! I am a huge bagel lover and so I was very excited when I received some coupons to try out the new bagels for myself.

The bagels come in eight tasty varieties and I decided to choose the Sesame Bagels and the WholeGrains 12 Grain Bagels for my family. I love these varieties because my husband can satisfy his sweet tooth with a jam-topped bagel while I indulge in a savoury snack by topping my bagel with smoked salmon cream cheese!

I tried the Dempster’s Sesame bagels first and I immediately noticed how soft and chewy they seemed compared to most bagels. They really did have a fresh look and feel. I popped one in the toaster and when it popped up and I had topped it with butter, I took that first bite.

The outside of the bagel had toasted to crispy perfection, but the inside of the bagel was just as soft and chewy as it had been when I took it out of the bag. I really loved the soft texture of these bagels; I sometimes find bagels can be a little tough after toasting, but the new Dempster’s bagels weren’t tough at all!

The 12 Grain bagels were even better in my opinion; I loved that they had flax in them. And to make my son’s lunches a little more interesting, I decided to send him to school with a bagel sandwich for a few days too. He devoured his turkey and cheese bagels and I loved that he was getting all the benefits of the different grains in the bagel every day! If you love bagels, why not treat yourself to a bag of freshly baked Dempster’s Bagels? The new recipe is so tasty and has such a great soft and chewy texture that you’re sure to fall in love with bagels all over again!

Buy It: Dempster’s Bagels are available at major grocery stores across Canada

mommy kat and kids RP

Maple Leaf Top Dogs-Review and Giveaway

August 21, 2011 by Kathryn 49 Comments

Nothing says summer like a hot dog and for hot dogs with great flavour and only the best ingredients, Maple Leaf Top Dogs are always a great choice. But how do you “do” your dog? Are you a hot dog purist who swears by the classic ketchup and mustard covered bun? Or do you like to get fancy with gourmet cheese and bacon stuffed hot dogs or maybe even hot dog and vegetable shish kabobs?

Recently, Maple Leaf asked Canadian to show off their most original Top Dog creations on the Maple Leaf Facebook Page. The entries are in and the judges are now busy determining the top ten finalists, who will be flown to Toronto at the end of August to compete in a live cook-off. The winner of the competition will walk away with a cool $25,000 and the title of “Canada’s Next Top Dog!” I can’t wait to see which tasty Top Dog treat wins the grand prize!

My own personal Top Dog creation might not be very fancy, but it’s a fabulous kid-pleaser and it’s so easy…the Top Dog Octopus!

Making these couldn’t be easier; just cut the Top Dog in quarters lengthwise, but only cut about two-thirds of the way through the dog so that the top is still whole. Then cut each quarter in half. Finally, cook the Top Dog in boiling water or on the barbeque. The legs will curl up to resemble an octopus’s tentacles!

maple leaf top dog octopus — "He's a king!" Zackary exclaimed when he saw his lunch.

I like to display the Top Dog Octopus on half of a hamburger bun topped with my kids’ favourite fixings. Sometimes I keep it simple with ketchup, mustard and cheese. Other times I might add lettuce and tomato. And today, just for fun, I added a fun crown made out of a baby beet! (He is a “Top” Dog Octopus after all!)

Maple Leaf Top Dogs make one fabulous octopus, but what I love most about them is the fact that they use premium ingredients and have a flavour that’s absolutely unbeatable. And with six varieties to choose from, there’s sure to be one that’s perfect for your family! I’ve always favoured the 100% Angus Beef Top Dogs in the past but I decided to give Original Top Dogs a try this time and they were just fabulous. We may just have a new favourite in our household!

And to help you tap into your own inner “Top Dog chef,” Maple Leaf is very generously offering two lucky Mommy Kat and Kids readers three Top Dogs complimentary product coupons so that you can come up with your own special creation! So fire up the barbeque and raid the fridge; you and your kids are sure to have a blast creating your very own signature Top Dog!

Buy It: To purchase Maple Leaf Top Dogs, check the meal aisle of your local grocery store or mass market retailer

Win It: Two lucky readers are going to win three Top Dogs complimentary product coupons from Maple Leaf

To Enter (mandatory): Leave a blog comment about your favourite hot dog toppings, then let me know you did using the Rafflecopter form below

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