Dog Cake Recipe: Easy Carrot Peanut Butter Birthday Cake
A dog birthday cake is a small, lightly sweetened cake made with dog-safe ingredients: whole wheat or oat flour, an egg, peanut butter, pumpkin or banana, and grated carrot, topped with a plain yogurt and peanut butter frosting. Below is a 6 inch carrot peanut butter cake with exact amounts, a pupcake version, three dog-safe frostings, safe decorations, and how big a slice to serve, because dog cakes are richer than most treats.
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Helpful tools for dog cakes:
6-inch cake pans, Silicone cupcake liners, Dog birthday cake mix, Dog-safe frosting mix, Xylitol-free peanut butter for dogs, Dog birthday party set.
Quick Answer
- Cake: 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 egg, 1/4 cup xylitol-free peanut butter, 1/2 cup plain pumpkin, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 cup grated carrot. Bake in a 6 inch pan at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Frosting: 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt mixed with 2 tablespoons xylitol-free peanut butter.
- Calories: about 1,450 for the whole frosted cake, or about 180 per slice if cut in 8.
- Serving: a thin sliver for small dogs, a regular slice only for large dogs. Save the rest.
- Never: chocolate, xylitol, raisins, sugar frosting, sprinkles or food coloring.
Carrot Peanut Butter Dog Cake (6 Inch)
Serves: one dog party, about 8 slices | Prep: 15 min | Bake: 25 to 30 min
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat flour (or oat flour)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup xylitol-free peanut butter
- 1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree or unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
- 1 cup finely grated carrot
Steps
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 6 inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment.
- Whisk the flour and baking soda in a bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk the egg, peanut butter, pumpkin and oil until smooth.
- Stir the wet mix into the flour, then fold in the carrot.
- Spread into the pan and bake 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a rack and cool completely before frosting.
Pupcake Version
Make the same batter and divide it among 6 greased or lined muffin cups. Bake at 350°F for 18 to 22 minutes. Each frosted pupcake is about 240 calories, so cut them in halves or quarters for most dogs. For mini cups, use a mini muffin tin and bake about 12 to 15 minutes.
Dog-Safe Frostings
| Frosting | Ingredients | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Yogurt peanut butter | 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt + 2 tbsp xylitol-free peanut butter | Easiest. Keep refrigerated. |
| Mashed potato | 1 cup plain mashed potato (no butter, salt or milk) + a spoonful of yogurt | Pipes like real frosting. Lower fat. |
| Sweet potato | 1 cup plain mashed sweet potato | Bright orange, naturally sweet. |
| Cream cheese (sparingly) | 1/4 cup plain cream cheese + 1/4 cup plain yogurt | Higher in fat. Skip for dogs with sensitive stomachs. |
Don’t use regular frosting. It’s mostly sugar and butter, and some “sugar-free” products contain xylitol.
Safe Decorations
- Fresh blueberries or sliced strawberries
- Shredded carrot or carrot coins
- A small homemade dog biscuit on top (see our homemade dog biscuits)
- Banana slices
- A sprinkle of crushed plain dog treats
Skip: sprinkles, food coloring, chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, candles your dog can reach, and any decoration made with xylitol.
How Much Cake to Serve
This cake is a once-a-year treat, not a meal. Cut small and save the rest.
| Dog size | Serving | About |
|---|---|---|
| Toy and small (under 20 lb) | A thin sliver, 1/16 of the cake | 90 calories |
| Medium (20 to 50 lb) | About 1/12 of the cake | 120 calories |
| Large (50 lb and up) | About 1/8 of the cake | 180 calories |
Cut your dog’s regular dinner a little on cake day. Skip rich frosting for dogs with a history of pancreatitis or a sensitive stomach.
Storage
- Fridge: up to 4 days, covered. Yogurt and cream cheese frostings must stay chilled.
- Freezer: freeze unfrosted slices up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and frost before serving.
Swaps
| Instead of | Use |
|---|---|
| Whole wheat flour | Oat flour (use about 1 1/4 cups) or chickpea flour for grain-free |
| Peanut butter | Plain sunflower seed butter, or more pumpkin |
| Pumpkin | Mashed banana or unsweetened applesauce |
| Egg | 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water |
| Carrot | Finely grated apple (no core or seeds) or zucchini |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I put in a dog cake instead of sugar?
Nothing extra is needed. Pumpkin, banana, applesauce and carrot add natural sweetness dogs enjoy. Skip honey, sugar and all sugar substitutes.
Is baking soda safe in a dog cake?
Yes, in the small amount a recipe uses (about 1 teaspoon for a whole cake). Large amounts eaten straight from the box are harmful, so store it out of reach.
Can I use a boxed cake mix?
No. Regular cake mixes are high in sugar and may contain chocolate or other unsafe ingredients. Use a dog-specific recipe or mix.
How far ahead can I make a dog cake?
Bake the cake up to 2 days ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Frost it the day of the party.
The Short Version
- Flour, egg, peanut butter, pumpkin, oil and carrot in a 6 inch pan at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Frost with plain Greek yogurt and xylitol-free peanut butter.
- Decorate with fruit and carrot, never chocolate, raisins or sugar frosting.
- Serve small slices and refrigerate the rest.
More Dog Party Treats
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