Spring is a time of new beginnings and growth. It's also the perfect time to whip up pastel-hued cupcakes for the entire family—including the pups! And we have just the recipe for your furry friends: delicious, pink cupcakes for dogs.
This springtime "pup-cake" dog treat recipe calls for simple, safe-for-dogs ingredients, like carrots, pure canned pumpkin and all-natural, xylitol-free peanut butter. And the best part? These dog cupcakes are decorated with a tasty frosting dogs are sure to drool over.
Springtime Pup-cake Dog Treat Recipe
Yield:
36 Servings
Serving size:
One mini pup-cake
Prep time:
10 minutes
Frosting time:
15 minutes
Baking time:
25 minutes
Cool time:
15 minutes
Total time:
80 minutes
Ingredients
2-3 medium size carrots
1/3 cup of all-natural peanut butter
1/2 cup of pure canned pumpkin
1 large egg
1 cup of quick oats
1 cup of whole wheat flour
¼ cup of melted coconut oil
Frosting
1/4 cup of beet juice
1/2 cup of cranberry juice
3/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt
3/4 cup of tapioca starch
3 packets (approximately 3 tbsp.) of unflavored gelatin
Any brand of bite sized dog treat (like Blue Buffalo)
Supplies
Mini muffin tin
Measuring spoons
Measuring cup
3 small mixing bowls
Large mixing bowl
Whisk
Rubber scraper
Spoon
Grater
Pastry or basting brush
Piping bag
Rose piping tip
Ice-cream scoop (approximately 1 tbsp.)
Instructions
1Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2Grate enough carrots to yield 1 cup of shredded carrot.
3Lightly grease the mini muffin tin by brushing it with coconut oil.
4In the large mixing bowl, combine the remaining coconut oil with the shredded carrots, peanut butter, pumpkin and egg.
5In the small mixing bowl, combine the oats and whole wheat flour.
6Gradually mix the oats and whole wheat flour mixture into the large mixing bowl.
7Using the ice-cream scoop, spoon the mixture into the lightly greased mini muffin tin.
8Bake for 25 minutes.
9Cool for 30 minutes.
Frosting
1To make frosting, whisk the unflavored gelatin with the beet and cranberry juice at room temperature in a small mixing bowl.
2Set it aside for 5 minutes.
3In another small mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt with the tapioca starch.
4Combine the juice mixture with the yogurt mixture until it has an even consistency.
5Using a spoon, fill the piping bag and pipe rose shapes onto the cooled pupcakes.
6Top with a training treat.
And serve to your little ray of sunshine.
To ensure proper food safety, refrigerate prepared cookies and consume within 3-4 days or transfer to a freeze-safe container and store for up to 1 month.
How Much to Serve Your Dog
As you would with any other treat, serve your pooch a small amount. Treats should only constitute a small percentage of your pet’s daily dog food. We’re talking no more than 10 percent of your pet’s diet (and if your pet is overweight, even less than that).
For example, if your pet needs 600 calories per day, they should have no more than 60 calories from treats. Feeding too many treats can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
Health Benefits of These Dog Cupcakes
A dog-friendly spin on traditional cupcakes, these tiny treats feature ingredients that provide the following health benefits, according to Dr. Victoria Carmella, DVM, and director of veterinary services at Blue Buffalo Co. Ltd. in Wilton, Connecticut:
- Peanut butter and egg are high-quality protein sources.
- Carrots and pumpkin serve as antioxidants.
- Pumpkin is a good source of fiber.
- Yogurt contains probiotics to support your pup’s digestive health.
- And should you opt for Blue Buffalo Blue Bits training treats, they contain DHA to help support cognitive development in puppies.
This dog cupcake recipe was dog-tested and dog-approved to received two paws up!
More dog-friendly recipes:
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