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!
Originally posted June 11, 2015 – Updated pictures post and recipe August 9, 2020 with new photos and FAQ’s.
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.
Paddy’s usually not so bold when it comes to stealing food. His begging is fairly polite and as soon as we tell him ‘no’ he gives up, but I guess even good boys break every now and then.
Fortunately, both times they were cakes that were made with harmless ingredients for dogs. In case you’re looking for a dog-approved cake for humans, this coconut flour cake has the approval of both humans and dogs in our house.
Nowadays, the only cakes our silly long boy gets to eat are his very own
How to Make: 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
- an 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 & Things to Keep in Mind
What kind of peanut butter? Is crunchy ok?
- 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.
Can I use 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.
Can you 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!
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Don’t forget to tag #asaucykitchen on instagram if you these make these dog cupcakes for your pooch! I love seeing what you make & I especially love seeing pictures of your pets! You can also post your pictures to my facebook page!
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.
Kate says
Hi, how would you store the cupcakes.
Sarah Nevins says
Hi Kate! I recommend store them in an airtight container – you can keep them at room temperature for about 2-3 days or up to a week in the fridge.
Carla says
Just wondering how do they come out as cupcakes or anything without flour?
Sarah Nevins says
Hi Carla! The egg and the peanut butter do a lot of the heavy lifting here! While it is helpful, flour isn’t always necessary when it comes to baked goods. The main difference you’ll find when it comes to flourless cakes like this one and regular cupcakes made with flour is the overall texture. Flourless bakes are usually a lot denser/richer/more moist. Flourless chocolate cake is a good example of this if you’re familiar.
Anne says
These came out super well! I grated the apple and also added a bit of grated carrot, and “frosted” them with some extra PB. The dogs are obsessed!
Sarah Nevins says
Aww! Love to hear it! Thanks so much for coming back to let me know what the dogs thought – give them some extra pets for me 🙂
Jill Jones says
I just made these today for my golden retrievers 3rd birthday. What a huge hit. She absolutely loved it! My 26 year old son said I should have made more, lol. Thank you for the wonderful recipe. I will be making her this every year on her birthday, and probably throughout the year.
Sarah Nevins says
Lol – glad to hear how well they went down 🙂 Thank you so much for your kind comment! Please give your golden some extra ear scratches for me!
Sylvie says
These are great, super easy and my dog loved them! I cooked for 18 mins and it worked.
Sarah Nevins says
Yay! So happy to hear that – thanks Sylvie!
Analise says
I have already made these cupcakes for my pup last year and his birthday is coming up again so Im making them again. I was wondering if instead of apples I can use blueberries, as lately he doesnt eat apples as much? Thanks
Sarah Nevins says
Aww – happy birthday to your dog! Blueberries will work too – the resulting cupcake might be a bit more moist than if it had apple, but I don’t think your pup would mind.
I might try making these with blueberries next time for my dog next time – I think he’d love it!!
Analise says
They came out great he could not stop eating them 😍
Sarah Nevins says
Aww! So glad he enjoyed it! 🙂
Carol Broussard says
I make these for my lab, Aldous, for his birthday every year and he absolutely loves them!
I use a mini muffin tin to make several at once and store them in a Tupperware container to keep them fresh.
Thanks for the wonderful recipe!!
Sarah Nevins says
Awww! Thanks Carol – give Aldous some love from me 🙂 (Great name by the way!)
Bianca says
I made this today for my Teddy’s 1st birthday! I used 3 ingredients instead: 1 egg, 1/2 medium banana and 3 tbsp of peanut butter! HE LOVESSSSS IT! Thank you so much for this recipe! 🙂
Sarah Nevins says
Aww yay! So happy Teddy enjoyed it! Please give him some extra pets for me 🙂
Sue says
I have been making this for Marley’s birthday each year since I found the recipe and she loves it!
Sarah Nevins says
Aww! Glad to hear she’s enjoyed these!
Emily says
OMGGGGG only single serving recipe I could find for my dog’s birthday! Thank you! Also, the ‘hands free mode’ button is genius, never seen that before. Thanks SK!
Sarah Nevins says
Yay! So glad you found it all helpful! As much as I know my dog would LOVE to eat a dozen muffins, I know it wouldn’t be great for him 😂 Thanks so much for coming back to leave behind your kind words!!