On the old show Strawberry Shortcake, there was a character named Huckleberry Pie. It just so happened that Huckleberry’s dog was cleverly named Pupcake, which sounded delicious to me as a child. I have since found various recipes to make “Pupcakes,” although these pupcakes are not for humans, they are for dogs.
That’s right! A pupcake is a cake baked with ingredients that are safe for dogs to eat! Many pet owners are so attached to their pets that they consider them part of the family. And when a family member’s birthday is drawing near, you know it’s time to get a cake!
There are many great pupcake recipes out there including one called “Bacon Chicken Layer Cake.” Although this may not sound appetizing to us, our furry friends love the flavor of meat in any of these K-9 recipes. You can even make your friend a simulated chocolate chip cake! This recipe calls for carob chips, or fake chocolate chips, that are sold at various health food stores. Even some pet supply stores carry them as tasty treats for dogs.
Here is a list five popular pupcake recipes. Most ingredients are things we would normally eat or cook with everyday, but some ingredients must be replaced for dogs including the replacement of chocolate with carob. Remember never to use real chocolate chips in your dog’s birthday cake.
1) Peanut Butter Carrot Cake
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 egg
Mix flour and baking soda. Add remaining ingredients. Pour into greased 8″ round cake pan and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Let cool. Puree cottage cheese in blender for icing. Decorate with more peanut butter and carrots (Uptown).
2) Bacon Chicken Layer Cake
- 3 cups flour
- 1 T. baking powder
- 1/2 cup margarine, softened
- 6 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup corn oil
- 2 jars strained chicken baby food
- 2 cups finely shredded carrots
- plain or vanilla yogurt
- 2 or 3 strips of bacon, fried crisp, then crumbled, or use bacon-flavored jerky strips, cut into bits.
Generously grease and flour two 8″ round cake pans; set aside. Combine flour and baking powder; set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat softened margarine until smooth. Add eggs and corn oil; mix well. Add strained chicken, and shredded carrots and mix until smooth. Add flour mixture and mix thoroughly. Pour batter into the 2 prepared 8″ cake pans. Bake at 325° for 60 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes before removing from pans. Cool completely on wire racks.
Place one layer on a serving plate and spread yogurt over top. Place second layer on top, then spread yogurt on top and sides of entire cake. Sprinkle crumbled bacon or bits of jerky strips over top. Use “Pupperoni” sticks for candles (Uptown).
3) Carob Chip Bundt Cake
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/3 cup honey (optional)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup carob chips (carob is a chocolate substitute)*
Mix the dry ingredients. Add the remaining ingredients and mix quickly. Bake in a greased ring mold at 350° for 40 minutes. Drizzle melted carob over cake when cooled. Store in the refrigerator.
* Do not use chocolate chips. If you cannot find carob chips, make the cake without them (Uptown).
4) Ginger Banana Party Cake
Banana and ginger combine to make an aromatic cake that’s not too sweet for dogs. Well chopped nuts make it a festive cake.
- 2/3 cup mashed bananas
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 cups Unbleached Flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tsp ginger
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Beat together mashed banana and butter until creamy. Add eggs and water. Beat well. Stir in dry ingredients. Beat until smooth, Add nuts. Spoon batter evenly into oiled and floured bundt pan. Bake at 350° for about 35 minutes. Cool on wire rack 5 minutes, remove from pan, replace on rack and cool (Uptown).
Banana & Mock-Choc Frosting:
- 2 cup mashed banana
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 6 tablespoon powdered carob
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3 tablespoon unbleached flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Blend thoroughly and spread on cooled cake. Sprinkle with well-chopped pecans (Uptown).
5) Jerky Cake for Pups
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 cup soft butter
- 1/2 cup corn oil
- 1 jar strained beef baby food
- 4 eggs
- 2-3 strips of beef jerky
Preheat oven to 325°. Grease and flour an 8x5x3 inch loaf pan. Cream butter until smooth. Add corn oil, baby food, and eggs. Mix until smooth.
Mix dry ingredients into beef mixture until batter is smooth. Crumble beef jerky and fold into batter. Pour batter into loaf pan. Bake 1 hour and 10 minutes. Cool on wire rack 15 minutes. Frost with plain yogurt, cream cheese or cottage cheese. Crumble another strip of beef jerky and sprinkle on top of icing. Store in refrigerator (Uptown).
The ingredient, carob, can also be melted down to use when decorating or drizzling on top of the cake. Some ingredient ideas for frosting include cream cheese, peanut butter, yogurt, Neufchatel cheese or cottage cheese, and Stiffen icing with meringue powder. Try to use organic ingredients when necessary and your dog will only need a few bites of cake at one time to avoid him getting sick (Uptown).
Who said you had to stop at cake, though? Your dog’s birthday is special, and what better to go with cake than ice cream? Before your guests arrive, be sure to grab some Frosty Paws ice cream for dogs and give him a birthday that will have him licking his chops for days to come.
Uptown Dog Club Inc. Dog Birthday Party Guide. www.dogbirthdaysandparties.com
