July 6, 2019
Easy Pupcakes!
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Easy dog friendly pupcakes for your furry friends with banana and peanut butter and a cream cheese topping!
Dog friendly pupcakes!
So recently my beautiful golden retriever fur child Rolo turned three years old, and I am still fully and utterly obsessed with how cute he is. We got him as an 8 week old ball of golden fluff, and he is still just as gorgeous now, even if he is a lot bigger.
For his first two birthdays I wanted to make him dog friendly cupcakes (puppy + cupcakes = pupcakes), and I either haven’t had time, or have got him some other treats… but this year I was determined to actually make them. And I am so glad I did, because they are 100% his favourite treat ever.
Pupcakes!
Some people may have read this post and thought “why on earth are you giving your dog human food” or “I thought these would be dog themed cupcakes but for humans” but no… they are in fact perfectly edible cupcakes, but pupcakes.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think dogs should be given much ‘human’ food at all, but every now and again (and in the correct form) it doesn’t hurt. Most dog food or treats have flour or other ingredients in to make them actually what they are anyway!
Rolos diet
I feed Rolo Royal Canine golden retriever food and we always have done since we got him – we weigh it out each day, and he is a healthy and happy boy. His mostly eaten treats are in fact vegetables or fruit. We would be perfectly happy with giving him the ‘raw’ diet, but the cost factor of it and storage of the food is what put us off!
Rolo adores carrots, cucumber, banana and such like. Don’t worry, he doesn’t eat loads of each, but they’re much better than actual dog treats! Occasionally he’ll have bonios, or gravy bones, but he bloody loves a piece of cucumber.
So, because we are quite strict, we thought that some Pupcakes couldn’t hurt – and he is OBSESSED with them! Honestly, if my hand goes anywhere near the tub with them in, his eyes light up and he looks like a puppy again! Those begging eyes are irresistible.
Ingredients
The actual pupcake mixture itself only has eight ingredients, which may sound like a lot.. but when you break it down, the ingredients are actually perfectly fine! These could be eaten by humans as there is nothing in there that we wouldn’t eat either!
Banana, peanut butter, wholemeal flour, oats, egg, honey, water and baking powder. Nothing sinister in there! They are essentially just a very healthy banana bread recipe, which is good! They’re so easy to make as well, as it’s basically just mushing everything together in a bowl and baking!
Topping
I chose to top mine with a small dash of cream cheese, and this may be a shock to some people – but the tiniest amount of cream cheese is fine for the dog. It’s mainly just there to make it look a bit more cupcake like, and be able to stick a biscuit down on!
As with any type of food that isn’t a common thing for a dog to eat, they should only be eaten in small quantities, and that’s why Rolo would only eat one in the day (and maybe two if he’s been really very very good) and I am happy with that.
Peanut butter
One thing I must point out however, and many of you dog owners will already know that with peanut butter you must make sure it does NOT contain Xylitol as it’s very dangerous for our furry friends – this only tends to be in cheaper and not as nice peanut butters anyway – and I tend to buy peanut butters that are 100% peanut! You also need to make sure there is no added salt. For you UK people, I use the Meridian brand!
Inspiration
I was inspired by the recipe from Primrose Bakery Christmas book, but altered them to be larger (as I found them to bake much better this way), and also a few more, so Rolos furry friends could have them too! You can easily half the recipe to only make 6! I hope your furry friends enjoy! x
Easy Pupcakes
Ingredients
Pupcakes
- 2 ripe bananas
- 150 g peanut butter (SEE NOTES BELOW)
- 2 medium eggs
- 75 g honey
- 100 g wholemeal flour
- 75 g rolled oats
- 1 tsp baking powder (optional)
- 125 ml water
Topping
- 12 tsps cream cheese
- 12 Dog biscuits
Instructions
- Preheat your Oven to 180C/160C Fan and get 12 cupcake cases ready - I use the Iced Jems ones!
- Add your banana to a bowl and mash up.
- Add in the peanut butter, eggs, and honey and mix together until combined.
- Add in the flour, oats and baking powder and mix until combined - it will be quite thick.
- Add in the water a little at a time until all mixed in!
- Split evenly between the 12 cases, and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until browned on top.
- Leave the pupcakes to cool fully, and remove from their cases (so the furry friends don't eat them!)
- Spread over a teaspoon of cream cheese per pupcake, and add on a dog biscuit!
Notes
- IMPORTANT - You MUST make sure your peanut butter does NOT contain Xylitol - it's poisonous for dogs. It's also best to use one with no added salt.
- I use the smooth Meridian peanut butter!
- This recipe was inspired by the Primrose Bakery Christmas book!
- You can half the recipe to make six pupcakes, or split half into twelve if you have a smaller dog who eats less! Bake them for 10 minutes if they are smaller.
- I store these in the fridge with or without the cream cheese when its hot - but if it was Winter, and there wasn't any cream cheese on them yet, then room temperature is fine.
- These freeze well!
ENJOY!
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J x
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Would be nice if you could list regular measurements
Grams are regular measurements…
hi just wondering do you have to add honey or can you leave it out
thanks
OMG, I made these they are amazing. I used gluten free flour instead and I made Mashed Banana/ peanut butter topping perfect and had dog chocolate Gingerbread men on top, went down a treat
I have just made a batch for the first time. I was wondering about oil, there is no oil in this recipe?
Hiya! No there is not, follow the recipe or the best results! How did they turn out? x
Hi Jane,
Would I be able to use this recipe to make an actual cake (not cup-cakes). If so, how long will I need to bake for?
Many thanks xx
Hiya! Yes this should work fine, but I have personally never tried this so am unsure about the baking time! Hope this helps, ket me know how it goes! x
Hi does it have to be wholemeal flour
Hiya! No it doesn’t. Hope this helps! x
Im making these next weekend for my puppy who turns 1 on bonfire night!
I’ve bought Jumbo Rolled Oats instead of regular ones by accident – will this matter?
Thanks 🙂
Hiya! This should be fine, happy birthday to your puppy! x
With the cream cheese on top how long would you say these need consumed by? Can they be left in the fridge with the cream cheese on for 2-3 days? Max?
Hiya! Yes they should be fine – if not, you could top them with peanut butter or something similar! Hope this helps! x
I could only get self raising whole meal flour will that be ok? Also could I add a little peanut butter to the cream cheese?
Generally it is best to use plain flour as some dogs cannot consume raising agents, but you can add in peanut butter to the frosting! Hope this helps! x
Could you make this into a cake rather than cupcakes? And can you use this recipe for babies as well, 1 yr old birthday cake?
can you use gluten free flour instead of wholemeal? My dog has a sensitive stomach.
Hiya! I personally haven’t tried this – however it’s worth a go! Let me know! x
Hi, would love to make these for my families pups! If I was to freeze these and then drive with them (my family live 30/40 mins away) in a cool bag, would they be okay? Would they then need to put them back in the freezer or fridge afterwards? Thanks!
I’ve made these once before and my doggy went mad for them! I want to make them again, but am wondering if I can substitute the honey for yoghurt? If not, what could I use as a substitute?
Do you have a recipe for the doggie bone treat on top of the cake? I have been looking all over for one just like that!
Hey, unfortunately I do not x
My doggy absolutely loved these!
Thank you 🙂
I got mine from Tesco, their own brand but you can get them in Homebargains or local pet shop 🐶
They are called gravy bones x you can get them in some supermarkets or pet shops 👍🏻
I use gravel bones! Can get them in post pet stores!
What are the measurements in tablespoons or cups not grams?
Made these for our Lab BlackBerry’s 2nd Birthday! He loved them! I only had wholemeal bread flour but having investigated there is only whole wheat flour in and nothing else I used it and they were fine.
Made these for our Mulligan’s 2nd birthday. I used mini muffin tin instead and it made 21. (Let her try one today to be sure she likes them. I tasted them too. Lab approved!) Going to mix cream cheese with plain Greek yogurt so I can pipe a fancy top to hold some mini dog treats. Taking them to the dog park to share with her friends.
Hi! Was just looking at the ingredients & wondered what you thought about taking out the honey? Do you think it would affect the bake?
You would need to use something in place that is safe to eat for dogs x
Can this recipe be used to make as a small birthday cake size 6″ tin?
OMG! I have a 3 year old Golden Retriever named Rolo too!!! He’ll be 4 at the end of the month so I will def make these for him!
how long can you keep these in the freezer for ?
I usually say anything can freeze 3+ months!
Hey!
I was wondering if I could make one big cake rather than pupcakes?
Thanks 🙂
It can but I’m not sure on timings!
Hi Jane I am going to bake these for my mini dachshund’s first bday on Friday. Just want to know – do they HAVE to have flour in? Thanks!
The flour is quite an important part of the recipe, yes.
Hi Jane,I made these with wholemeal bread flour, it was the only flour that said wholemeal on it in my local supermarket. Will they still be ok for the dog to eat?
I cannot answer that I’m afraid as I don’t want to say something that could be wrong in to what is safe or not for a dog.
Hi Jane,
Thank you for this recipe! I was just wondering if there was a way to substitute for the eggs used as my pup is allergic to them?
I haven’t tried it, but you can tried 1/2 a mashed banana per egg!
Hi did you ever try these without an egg as I was hoping to do the same thanks
Hi, could you leave out the peanut butter when you make these? Or substitute it? Xx
I would substitute it with maybe another banana or some grated carrot or something!
Made these today, such an easy recipe to follow and full of yummy flavors for our fur babies!! Looks delicious 😋
What brand cream cheese can be used?
Any! Just make sure there are no nasty additives x
22.11.2020 made these today for my puppy. Easy recipe, my dog loved them
Made these pupcakes for my 6 month old maltipoo. (Made 12 with half the ingredients) She loves them. Thank you 😊
Baked today for our Bert’s 1st Birthday… I’ve photos I can send if you drop me an email. We altered the recipe ever so slightly, by using two small (finely grated) carrots and one over-ripe banana. They’re absolutely brilliant, and taste really good – we had one with him! 😋
Hey! My dog Enzo loved these for his first birthday on Sunday! (He’s loves bananas!) I was wondering how long they last in the fridge.
I would say up to 5 days in the fridge, but they freeze well too!
These worked a treat, easy peasy for a beginner like me and the dogs loved them!! Thank you 😊
https://youtu.be/RV9HyPOhOpY
My son reviewed your recipe for our dog, 10/10 would recommend. Hope you enjoy the video!
That’s so cute!! Yay!
How long do these last in the fridge, do you know? I only have one small dog and I made 12 because we didn’t use the ingredients it called for anyway lol.
Hi jane i was going to make these next weekend for my dog but unsure if its self raising or plain flour to use. In these comments i notice youve put both plain and self raising in reply to people asking the same question so i was just curious which it is you use 🙂
You can pretty much use either as it’s just for the doggo, but I have only ever used plain wholemeal x
These are awesome, are they cat friendly too?
I’m unsure as I’ve never had a cat, sorry!
Hi Jane! Making these next week and just wondered – is the wholemeal flour, plain or self raising?🐾x
Plain x
Is it ok to use almond butter in stead of peanut?
As long as your dog is okay with almonds (some can be intolerant) and the almond butter has no additives – it should be okay!
Hiya what peanut butter brand exactly would you use?
Hey! I mention this in the post – I use the meridian brand, but any that are pure peanut butter with no added salt/xylitol etc is fine! You can find it in pet shops too!
I made some for my dog to celebrate his gotcha day this weekend. I couldn’t get wholewheat flour so I blended the equivalent weight of oats and used that instead & it worked perfectly. Also couldn’t get cream cheese (everyone seems to be baking and making cheesecakes in lock down I think) so I just topped with a wee bit of PNB & a gravy bone . I used sun pat smooth, it doesn’t have xylitol in, I contacted them and checked to be sure before I went ahead.He really loves it, thank you for the recipe Jane
Would it be possible to use this recipe to make a cake?
Yes it should be fine!! I’d bake it into an 8″ tin, but I’m not 100% sure on baking time – probably at least 30 minutes or so!
amazing!!!!
Making these for the first time, they are in the oven as we speak.
I did scroll across the page but I couldn’t find how long these pupcakes last at room temp. I also wondered how long their freeze life is?
Hiya! They should be fine for 3+ days, and freeze for up to 3 months! Hope this helps! x
Is wholemeal strong bread flour okay as that’s all I could get?
I’m afraid I haven’t tried these with bread flour before! Regular flour can be substituted, as well, but I haven’t tried bread flour!
Hi. Just wondering if I would be able to use the dog peanut butter for these? Instead of actual peanut butter?
Thanks
I don’t see why not!
Hi I love this.. I haven’t made them yet but just wondered how long they should be kept for after being made? If put in the fridge like you suggested will they last a couple days or not?
Thank you
Yep, they’ll last a few days! And they need to be in the fridge if you’ve used the cream cheese.
Great recipe! So easy to do – and my pup couldn’t get enough of them! Thank you!
Does it matter if the wholemeal flour is plain or self raising? x
Hiya! No this doesn’t matter. Enjoy! x
Amazing!! My dogs absolutely loved these!
Hi Jane, thank you for sharing this recipe -good to think of the doggos too!
Do you think the recipe would also work as a cake?? Xx
I don’t see why it wouldn’t!!
Hi! Is there anything instead of peanut butter you think I could use?
Thanks!!
You can use another nut butter that is safe for dogs, such as almond butter – but you need to make sure it doesn’t have any additives in such as mentioned in this post!
My doggy absolutely loved these!
Thank you 🙂
Just made these for our dog as we’re having a lil baking day in isolation! Our dog is very small but he loves them, how long would you recommend keeping them without freezing them? Thank you!
It’s best to keep them in the fridge with the topping on – but probably 4-5 days I’d say!
Hi, i’m going to make these for my puppy, she is 1 next Thursday 🙂 can you use porridge oats instead of rolled oats?
Yes they should be fine!
My pup loved these for his first birthday! no one could come to his party because of isolation but these made his day!
Ahh I’m so glad – all pups deserve pupcakes!
My Pupster rates these as 5*
Loved his 1st birthday breakfast this morning
Ohhh that’s so cute! Yay!
Can you use regular flour?
Yes, generally for dogs though I use wholemeal as it’s healthier.
Is the cream cheese just cream cheese topping? ….
It’s just cream cheese as it says.
Hi Jane , how long will these keep for if not freezing them ?
Thank you xx
Made a batch of pupcakes to add to our MacMillan Coffee Morning in work- they were the first ones to sell out! The feedback was great and 2 people actually thought they were ordinary cupcakes🤣 Thank you for the recipes 👍
Hahaha amazing! I’ve had a few of my friends eat them, without the dog biscuit of course!
Hi. Is the whole meal flour self raising or plain?
Going to make these for my boys 12th Birthday.
Thanks
I use self raising!
I’m planning to make these this week as our pup turns 9 on Saturday and I’m away (Fur-mumma guilt! Although Dad will be with her).
How would you recommend wrapping them for the freezer? I think it’d be nice to have something that I can pull out for a little treat that’s not full of rubbish!
Ohh how cute! And personally I would add them into a freeze proof container like a plastic tub, and then they should be fine!
Hi Jane, I use your recipes all the time and absolutely love them. This one looks just as fab for my puppa! Just a little edit I’d recommend though, can you make it a little clearer that the Peanut Butter needs to be xylitol free? Maybe in the ingredients put it in brackets next to the Peanut Butter? Incase people don’t read the notes! I have a pet supply business and it’s so common for people still not to know about xylitol or that it’s in some Peanut Butters! 😩 I can’t wait to try the recipe for my pooch! Thank you! x
Thank you so much for this recipe. Just made a batch and the dogs absolutely love them❤️ I have a feeling that some of the humans might also snack on them😂
Ahh yay!!
Oh Jane, this has made me smile. Rolo sure enjoyed his treats, he is a beautiful boy. My boy patch is on the rainbow bridge but would have loved these. I will however make them for my dog nieces 🙄😂😂. Thank you for posting this it really has made me smile.
Michelle x
Pure genius Jane. Cannot wait to make these for my dogs. You have one cute dog there x
Thank you – he is very cute!!
Can theses be made using dog peanut butter?
Thanks 😃
Yes absolutely! Enjoy! x