A quick and easy dog cupcake recipe with peanut butter frosting. Celebrate your dog’s birthday or special day with homemade pupcakes!
Calvin is now officially one year of age so I really wanted to do something special and bake up a homemade dog cupcake recipe.
(For the complete ‘Easy Peanut Butter Cupcakes for Dogs’ recipe, scroll down to the bottom of the page).
I also had to take some time looking back at old photos and seeing how he’s grown since last spring.
In the blink of an eye, Cal’s transformed from this helpless little bitty …
into this strong, strapping 23-pound beagle.
So I guess this will be my last chances to call him a “puppy.”
At the ripe old age of One, Calvin has already has already “seen it all.”
He’s “hiked” the White Mountains in the fall…
…learned to love the snow (we got heaps of it for Cal’s first winter)…
…enjoyed his first Christmas…
…which was a little too much excitement for Calvin…
…too many gifts to explore and too many unfamiliar holiday sights and smells completely wore him out.
Life is tough for this beagle.
By now, Calvin knows what he likes…
…sneaking into Chris’s duffel bag to steal his hockey tape (Cal’s favorite chew toy)…
…taking a comfortable seat on the day bed (perfect for watching all the activity going on outside the window) while pulling all the stuffing from each of his stuffed toys, until they’re entirely destroyed…
…and claiming that day bed as his own for naps in the sun…
His big (sometimes goofy) personality has earned him a long list of nicknames:
Cal-Cal,
Calvie,
Cal-Bean,
Bumble,
and Bubble, to name a few.
To commemorate a full year in the life of Calvin, I had to take a look back at the first photos I took.
From this tiny…
…soft…
…sweet little 4-pound cutie…..
…to this full-grown beagle with a very healthy appreciation of dog cupcake recipes!
I wanted to make something a little unique and special to celebrate Calvin’s first year of life.
So I came up with a homemade birthday dog cupcake recipe.
The cupcakes are very simple to make and quick to prepare in about 15 minutes.
As they should be.
Calvin eats any treats that are handed to him in under .4 seconds flat.
For these “pupcakes,” I used brown rice flour.
But any type of flour you have on hand should work.
And, since peanut butter is one of Cal’s all-time favorites, they have a special peanut butter frosting.
He heartily approved of his “pupcakes.”
Very heartily approved – he adores these!
Here’s the recipe for Easy Peanut Butter Cupcakes for Dogs:
* Always consult your veterinarian before introducing any new ingredients into your pet’s diet*
Print
Happy Birthday Puppy! Easy Peanut Butter Cupcakes for Dogs
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 cupcakes 1x
- Category: Dog Treats
Description
A quick and easy dog cupcake recipe with peanut butter frosting. Celebrate your dog’s birthday or special day with homemade pupcakes!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown rice flour (or substitute whole wheat flour or rye flour)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup organic applesauce
- 1 organic, pastured egg
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 3 Tablespoons organic plain yogurt
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon organic/all-natural peanut butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a mixing bowl, stir the flour, baking powder, vegetable oil, applesauce, egg, and honey until well combined.
- Insert cupcake liners into a muffin or cupcake pan. Spoon mixture into cupcake liners, filling each about halfway.
- Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of cupcake comes out clean.
- Allow cupcakes to cool to room temperature.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl, stir yogurt and peanut butter until mixture is smooth and creamy. Use a small spatula or butter knife to smooth thin layer of the frosting over each cupcake.
Notes
Storage: cupcakes should hold up for 4-5 days if stored in an airtight container in a cool, shaded, dry spot. Frosting should be stored separately, covered, and refrigerated. Frost cupcakes immediately before serving.
Always consult your veterinarian before introducing any new ingredients into your pet’s diet.
For More Dog Treat Recipes, Check Out:
LOVE the photos. He is so adorable. I can’t believe how big he is now 🙂
Thanks Jen. I still want to see the day when Dora and Calvin meet! 🙂
Awww what a cute little puppy!! I’ll have to pass this recipe on to my friend with dogs!
You’re so adorable .. and so is he. Cupcakes for dogs … how sweet is that. Love your gallery of him. Maybe not a puppy, but he are cute as one … I think dogs should always be puppies .. and cats kittens. I wonder why I haven’t got your other notices .. for you posts. Ages since I heard anything from you.
Here I can see .. you have posted quite a few.
I don’t like that you have gone to another planet. Give him a new 4 sec flat treat from me. *smile
IT’s so adorable you made him a cupcake! You can call your baby a puppy for forever, I think!
Awwwwwwwww!!! I love beagles!! Happy Birthday Puppy!
GAH! He is just the cutest! Happy birthday to your little darling. These pupcakes are adorbs!!!!
Calvin is the cutest, love that you celebrated with dog cupcakes!
Happy 1st birthday to Mr Adorable my friend he is such a cutie 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
He is gorgeous!
He looks so different – from his colouring of his ears to those adorable pink pads on his paws! What a good looking fella Jen. It reminds us all why photos are so precious x
OMGOSHHH how cute is that little pup? My pup actually turns two in a couple days so I’m really glad to see this recipe! She is also a lover of peanut butter (as is every dog).
xo Jackie
Such a sweet doggie! 🙂 Happy Birthday little guy!
That little puppy face is just too cute!
What a cute idea! I will have to make these for my dog’s birthday in July! 🙂
I have to admit that this is about the sixth time I’ve been to this post. Every time I needed a lift yesterday and today, I stopped by and left with a huge smile! Thanks!!!! Calvin is as cute at one year as he was when he was a puppy. What a loving family that would make him his own cupcakes. 🙂
What a great idea! Happy birthday Calvin!
Aww what a sweet little pup! I love Beagles so much. Does he bark/howl a lot? My boyfriend and I might get a dog when we move in together and I want to lobby hard for a beagle, but he says they bark too much. I say that’s just upbringing though.
He is so adorable!
We have a beagle too and I know how obsessed they are with food, youCalvin him the best birthday gift ever!!
So cute! I don’t have a dog but if I did he looks like he would be the perfect puppy.
He is still very cute and what a fun recipe! Looks like it’s Calvin–approved!
I messed up this year. My dog Julius is tres jealous: https://www.facebook.com/JuliusChenwald
Happy Birthday to your sweet puppy, he’s always adorable!
Oh my goodness — absolutely adorable! So, so cute! These cupcakes are such a great idea and your puppy photos are beyond cute. I love the wrapper hanging from his mouth.
Oh my goodness! These pictures are adorable. I love the doggie cupcake idea…I’d love to see more of our friendly companions’ treats in the future!
xo, Vinni
masalaandmissoni.wordpress.com
Thanks for sharing his birthday…he certainly has grown from that adorable puppy into a beautiful dog.
Oh these pictures are adorable – too cute!
I found your website through my daughter, Stephie, who has the Eat Your Heart Out food blog (found you on twitter). You have a beagle! We have two of these babies–my 5th and 6th beagles; my husband’s second and third beagles. Ours are both rescues through Midwest BREW, and they are our babies (since we are empty-nesters). I’m always looking for beagle goodies and goodies for ourselves, too, so I’m glad I found your blog! Your baby is so cute. 🙂
I found your blog while searching for healthy dog treats for the 2nd anniversary of our puppy’s arrival home and am so glad that I did. They were a breeze to make but, more importantly, he absolutely loved them. You managed to calm my Jack Russell puppy for as long as he sat down and licked the frosting off of his paws. Thank you!
He is so precious! My Boxer named Penny is going to be a year old in a couple of days. I will make these for her.
Happy birthday to Penny – – I hope she enjoys! 🙂
What a sweetie pie! Happy Birthday!
so cute my dog is turning a year in October, so I’m definitely making these for his 1st. birthday
That’s great – I have no doubt he will love you for it! 🙂
Hey great recipe….I will be baking these for my old guy he will be a ripe old age of “13” on October 31st umm still thinks he’s a puppy though! He will love the peanut butter frosting as peanut butter is his favorite too…oh and cheddar cheese…hey maybe I will throw in a little bit of cheese too in the cupcake batter he totally deserves it…lol Thanks for a great recipe! 🙂
Well I think Calvin would be 100% in favor of your cheddar cheese idea! Hope your ‘birthday boy’ thoroughly enjoys!! 🙂
I just made the cupcakes for the graduation of my beginner agility course class. They were the hit with everyone!!! my two mixed breed went crazy over them. Even the picky miniature poodle was thrilled! I even tried a little bit of the frosting and cake and was quite please with the flavor. My instructor almost ate one by accident!!! I did change the recipe to have soy flour instead of grain because so many pets have grain allergies, it did great! thanks for the easy, wonderful recipe!
What a great comment – I loved reading this 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know how these “pupcakes” turned out for you!
Hi I just love him. I have four beautiful beagle girls, Maddison & Molly are 12 years and Charlotte & Clare are 8 years. That get even more gorgoeous as they get older. Thanks for you great recipes. Can’t wait to try them out on the girls.
all the best and have great fun with Calvin.
deb
I’m already thinking about getting a second now that Calvin is almost two – beagles are the best 🙂 Hope your four love their treats!
I cant get over how adorable your puppy is! I own a Puggle (beagle/pug) and he is turning one tomorrow (February 17) thank you for the recipe my dog LOVES peanut butter so this cake will make his day!(:
Puggles are the cutest! I hope he loved his bday treat 🙂
OMG! I just found this today as my Baby is 4 today (July 4th 2014) & he is definitely a independent boy! I am going to have to make this for his special day. I love your little guy Calvin he is soo cute…I might have to go get “Scotch” a little friend especially since his kitty friend “Baby” died January 14th 2013 & he just adored her, lots of people said: “No, a dog wont get along with a cat but he use to clean her when she couldn’t from old age/pain. I just know he would love a friend like Calvin!!! Seems the smaller the dog or child the more he loves them. lol ;o) He is part Lab/Pit & Boy did I have to eat my words as I use to be afraid of pits but when my son rescued him I just loved him & he has been the best most lovable dog I have EVER owned. In fact at his second training class at Petco a lady & her husband cried caused they wanted him & everybody who sees him falls in love with him & can’t believe he is the most lovey dog ever.
Pamela
xoxo
P.S. I hope you keep us informed of Calvin’s fun times!
Thanks so much for your note – – Scotch sounds like such a sweetie, and I hope he loved his treats 🙂
I’m going to make your doggie treats this afternoon. Thanks for the recipe!!
That’s great, have fun! 🙂
Hello,
The cake looks great! Can I substitute the egg? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Absolutely – you could try 1/4 cup of pureed banana, organic canola oil, OR extra virgin olive oil to replace the egg 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this! I found it on Pinterest and made the cupcakes for my little guy’s birthday yesterday and he loved them! I made sure to blog pictures and gave you credit for the recipe, too. 🙂 Your little one is so cute! I hope he’s still doing well!
Just checked out your link and Benny is adorable – – your photos are fantastic! Glad to see he loved his bday treat 🙂
These were INCREDIBLE! My red min-pin, Kaztiel just celebrated his 4th birthday, and thanks to your recipe, he had the most memorable treat ever! and this is coming from a dog that gets homemade grilled chicken and green beans with his dry food every meal. My wife and I both tried one, and we loved em too!
Author
I love receiving notes like yours – – I can tell Kaztiel is one lucky dog! 🙂
Thanks for the recipe. I thought it was funny that I did a search for a recipe and I saw all these beagle pictures. Too perfect! The cupcakes are for my beagle who is 15 today….and his 14 1/2 yr old buddy who is also a beagle. 🙂
Author
I’d say that I hope he enjoyed his treat but, knowing the appetite of a beagle, I’m already certain he did! Thanks so much for your note 🙂
Do all of the ingredients have to be organic or is that the only way for it to be safe for dogs? Also, is all-purpose flour fine too?
Author
That is completely your choice 🙂 Personally, I prefer organic ingredients because this means that they are produced without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and genetically modified organisms and that they likely do not have additives like artificial preservatives or colors (you will know an ingredient is organic if it has a green circular “USDA Organic” label on it). Non-organic ingredients and all-purpose flour will also work for this recipe. Of course, always check with your vet first if you are concerned about the safety of any ingredient for your pet.
Hello! I’ll be making these this weekend and am going to make a video on them in the process (like a review). I will make sure to link your post to give credit :). Just wanted to let you know beforehand! Feel free to email me if there are any problems.
Thanks,
Natalie
Author
Hi Natalie, That sounds great and yes, please do send a link to your review when you post it! 🙂
Hi Jen! Just following up and letting you know I’ve posted the video. Safe to say it was a big hit with my pups! Thanks again 🙂 http://youtu.be/Y19Xt-ClbHk
Author
The link doesn’t seem to work for me (??), but that’s so great to hear that the cupcakes were a hit! 🙂
Yeah there was an issue with the editing in that video and I didn’t realize :(. But I will be reposting today and will relink – updated link: http://youtu.be/Y19Xt-ClbHk
Loved the pictures of your dog. I have a beagle as well. They’re so sweet and lovable! Can’t wait to make this for him. 🙂
Author
Hope your beagle loves them as much as Calvin does 🙂
Hi everyone! I’ve read in many places that baking powder/baking soda is very harmful for dogs. Is it ok to use in a cake like this (delicious sounding ;p) one? Calvin looks like such a sweetheart. I don’t know when you posted this, but I hope you are having fun with the little guy. Thanks!
Author
Hi Anna! My understanding is that baking powder/baking soda can be harmful if ingested in larger quantities, but just a pinch in a cake recipe should be okay. You could skip the ingredient, but you’d end up with a very dense, moist cake. I’m no expert, just someone who likes experimenting in the kitchen, so definitely always check with your vet first if you have questions about any ingredient 🙂
Thank you so much for this great recipe! I just baked them for my pup and can’t wait to give them to her for her birthday tonight!
He is so cute. I did not know dogs were allowed to have honey. Can they?
Author
Calvin has always been fine eating a little bit of honey, but I’d say to always check with your vet if you’re unsure about any ingredient!
I made the cupcakes for my pup’s first birthday and my two dogs loved it! See https://anarette.wordpress.com/2016/09/18/benji-is-one/