Celebrate your best friend with this single serving dog cupcake made with four canine-friendly ingredients. These ‘pupcakes’ are easy to make, grain-free and will make your pooch’s day!
Cakes for Dogs or Dogs for Cake?
You see that lovely, silly greyhound licking his lips and leering at his cupcake in the background?
He’s stolen two whole cakes before. Not cupcakes. CAKES.
After the second incident I made my way to the store to buy a cake stand with a lid to prevent any future thievery from him. He’s just so tall – he’s got pretty easy access to most food on tables and counters.
To be fair to Paddy he’s typically well behaved and his begging is quite polite. As soon as he hears a ‘no’ he backs off. A true gentleman. Unfortunately no one was here to tell him ‘no’ so fair play, I suppose.
Nowadays, the only cakes our silly, long boy gets to eat are his own.
Homemade Dog Cupcakes
This recipe makes either one jumbo size cupcake, or two regular sized ones. It’s aimed for dog tastes, but it’s certainly edible if you want to share one with your hound.
Altogether this recipe is made up of only four, dog-friendly ingredients:
- peanut butter
- diced apple
- egg
- baking powder
To make, simply mix everything together in a small bowl, then fill a couple of muffin cups, bake and that’s it! Easy, straightforward and basically fool-proof.
FAQ’s & Recipe Tips
What kind of peanut butter?
- Ideally look for a natural or sugar-free peanut butter. Just make sure that your sugar-free peanut butter doesn’t include artificial sweeteners like xylitol. Artificial sweeteners are often potentially deadly to dogs.
- Crunchy peanut butter will work just the same.
banana or pumpkin instead of apple?
- Yes! Instead of apple you can use 1 small banana (or half a medium/large banana). Just mash it up and mix it in.
- Use 1/4 cup mashed/pureed pumpkin in place of apple.
freeze these for later?
- Yes! Just make sure you cool them completely first. Wrap the cupcakes individually in plastic wrap then foil, then store in a zip-lock bag for up to three months.
- To thaw: you can let them thaw in the fridge overnight or in the microwave for about 30-40 seconds.
Do I need to peel the apple?
- Don’t worry about peeling.
- You can grate the apple instead of chopping if you prefer.
- Make sure to remove all the apple seeds. They contain a small amount of cyanide. It’s not likely to cause your dog much harm, but it’s still better to avoid any potential risk.
Whether or not you choose to make these for your pup make sure to give them some extra pets for me! They deserve it.
If you have any more questions please let me know in the comments below!
Single Serving Dog Friendly Cupcake
A dog friendly, single serving cupcake to celebrate the special hounds in your life! Grain free and no added sugar.
Ingredients
- 1/2 small or medium apple, diced into small pieces
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter + more if desired for frosting
- 1 whole egg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (optional)
- bacon bits for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F.
- In a small bowl mix together all of your ingredients until combined.
- Line or lightly grease two holes in a cupcake tin or a small ramekin. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pans.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- Allow the cupcake to cool completely. You can leave it as is, or frost with peanut butter and sprinkle with bacon bits.
Notes
Notes of Safety of Ingredients for Dogs
- Make sure to use xylitol free peanut butter/ peanut butter without artificial sweeteners as they can be poisonous for dogs!
- Make sure to remove all the apple seeds. They contain a small amount of cyanide. It's not likely to cause your dog much harm, but it's still better to avoid any potential risk.
- Baking powder and baking soda can be toxic to dog but typically only in large amounts. According to the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists: " Toxicosis may be seen with ingestion of 10-20 g/kg of body weight. This equates to approximately 2-4 teaspoons per kg of body weight." That's roughly 1 teaspoon per pound of body weight. This recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon altogether which should be safe. If you don't want to take the risk, feel free to leave out the baking powder.
Heather says
Oh my goodness! … this Pack Momma approves!! I agree completely that they are here with us for such a short time and we are their whole world.. they deserve for us to take the time to bring them as much joy as they bring us. For the record, this house would have to shut down if there was no peanut butter in the pantry… my four would probably string me up:) Excellent recipe!!!
Sarah says
Yes!!! Thank you! There have been very few times in my life that I haven’t had dogs and I swear I would be a very different person if I wasn’t surrounded by such unconditional love. So excited for your pups – they’re going to love it!
Gin says
Aw, I love your pics of these being enjoyed!! Pinned to my Derg Treats board, cause I have to make these for the girls. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Sarah says
Aww, thank you, Gin!
Judy Kahansky says
My three pups would be all over these! What a great recipe Sarah – and Happy Birthday to Stanley!
Sarah says
Thank you so much, Judy! I’m sure they would too – make sure to take lots of pictures if you make them any because the reactions are just too cute!
Whitney says
How precious! We celebrate our pups bday too with yogurt cake 🙂
Sarah says
Hi Whitney! That’s so sweet – I bet your dog loves it!
Donna says
This is so cute 🙂 I have made my dog plenty of yummy things in the past, but have never ventured into baking for him 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks, Donna! It was fun making something for the dog – the look of joy on his face was priceless 🙂
Hillary Reeves says
Wow, you will be my dogs’ favorite person now! This is so fun.
Sarah says
Yay! Happy dogs = happy Sarah
Tracy @ Served From Scratch says
Happy Birthday Stanley! Love love these! I can’t wait to try them for our boy Nigel!
Sarah says
It’s so cute watching them eat it – Stanley went through phases where he was a bit unsure if he was allowed to eat them at first, followed by ‘hmmm, I think I’ll sneak a bite”, and then finally he just went full on and devoured it. So cute!
J @ A Hot Southern Mess says
Poor Stanley! His food gets stolen! Good thing he has these yummy looking cupcakes! Spoiled dog! These look so good, I would want to try them myself! 🙂
Sarah says
They’re actually not bad at all funnily enough! He’s so funny because now he just really excited every time I bake – I’ve create a little monster – a very cute monster 🙂
Faye Wilkerson says
One lucky dog.
Sarah says
He is – he’s a very spoiled dog xD
Julia (@Imagelicious) says
Oh, this is too cute! I’ve made dog biscuits before, but I’ve never heard of a dog cupcake. Adorable!
Sarah says
Thanks, Julia! It was fun to make and even more fun to watch him eat it 🙂