Carrot-Apple Pupcake is the perfect treat to celebrate your dog-bud’s Gotcha Day, Birthday, Christmas, or because it’s Tuesday, I love you and you melt my heart…. There’s no reason too small to celebrate your loyal companion. And this 6-inch cake is big enough to welcome your pooch’s furry friends, dog neighbors, and four-legged family members to partake in the delicious celebration!
My sweet beagle, Opie, came home from the rescue one year ago today. It started rough (no pun intended) with antibiotics and heart worm treatments. But he’s the toughest, yet most loving, sweet, outgoing, affectionate, (and hungry) little guy around. So, here’s to Opie and our year together! Here’s to many, many more adventures, snuggles, parties, and fun, healthy times ahead!
Carrot-Apple Pupcake Ingredients
Carrot-Apple Pupcakes are made out of whole, nutritious ingredients that are low in cost and probably already in your pantry.
- carrots
- apple
- peanut butter (no xylitol!)
- honey
- olive oil
- eggs
- salt
- cinnamon
- baking powder
- oats
- whole Greek yogurt
A Kitchenaid Food Chopper makes this recipe a snap! But any food processor should work. Just cap the carrots (no need to peel) and cut them in a few large chunks. Toss them into the processor for simple “grated” carrot. Also, no need to peal the apple. Just remove the core and seeds, cut it into a few chunks, and blitz until it becomes applesauce consistency. The same easy process applies to the oats to become oat flour!
For most dogs, pupcake can be part of a well-balanced diet and a fun way to celebrate. If you have concerns, questions, or your dog has special dietary needs, consult a veterinarian before offering pupcake to your dog. And remember, pupcake is a treat. Your furry friend should eat cake in moderation and rely on vet recommended food for the majority of his/her nutrition.
**And of course, check your peanut butter’s ingredient list to make sure it does NOT contain xylitol, which can be harmful to your pet!
Decorate Your Pupcake
This frosting recipe makes plenty to slather between the layers, enrobe the top and sides, and still more to pipe and decorate. Yogurt frosting doesn’t pipe as smoothly as a traditional buttercream for complex piping designs, but so far I’ve logged zero pup-complaints and it adds adorable detail! If you decide to forgo decorating, you may end up with extra frosting. No worries! Add a little more yogurt and it’s a delicious fruit dip for people or Kong stuffer for your fur-bud.
Finish the cake with any of your dog’s favorite treats or foods. Here, I’ve adorned the top with Opie’s favorite, a homemade Peanut Butter Banana Bone. His storebought kibbles are “sprinkles” for the sides.
Carrot-Apple Pupcake
Ingredients
- 2 large carrots, grated or food processed (should equal about 1⅓ cups)
- 1 large apple, cored and food processed (should equal nearly a cup after putting through your food processor until applesauce consistency – grate apples if you do not have a food processor)
- ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter, natural but no-stir type (make sure your peanut butter does NOT contain xylitol, which can harm your dog)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- 2 cups oats (should equal about 1½ cups oat flour after putting through your food processor)
Pupcake Frosting
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter, natural but no-stir type (make sure your peanut butter does NOT contain xylitol, which can harm your dog)
- 1¼ cups plain whole Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Use a food processor to grate carrots, puree apple, and pulverize oats as mentioned in the ingredient list.
- Combine first six ingredients in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, mix together salt, cinnamon, baking powder, and oat flour (food processed oats).
- Add dry ingredients to the carrot-apple mixture.
- Prepare two cake layer pans (six inch size) with a thin layer of olive oil.
- Pour an equal amount of batter into both pans. Smooth layers with a spoon or spatula.
- Bake cakes at 350°F for 35 minutes or until the middle of each cake appears cooked and no longer appears wet or damp.
- Frost and decorate cooled cakes.
