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Home Dog treat recipes

Pupcakes! (Dog cupcakes with “frosting”)

By:Nagi
Published:28 Apr '20Updated:26 Apr '23
363 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

Pupcakes piled high with dog friendly frosting to celebrate Dozer’s 8th birthday! Easy dog cupcakes made with banana and peanut butter – the smell drives them crazy! The crowning glory is fluffy frosting made with no butter, no cream cheese, sugar free. Aren’t you dying to know the secret?? 😉

Close up of Pupcakes - doggie cupcakes for Dozer's birthday with frosting

Pupcakes – dog cupcakes with fluffy frosting!

Dogs eat anything, but in my world, that’s no reason to lower the bar! So these cupcakes are everything you want in YOUR cupcakes – except they’re sugar free and made with dog friendly ingredients 😂:

  • Tender crumb that’s soft and fluffy

  • Moist, not dry – no pooch will ever choke from dry cake in MY house!

  • Peanut butter banana smell that dogs go crazy over

As for the frosting? The secret ingredient is potato made creamy with yogurt and sweetened with honey! Far better for dogs than using copious amounts of butter, cream cheese and icing sugar used in normal fluffy frostings.

The thought of potato frosting mightn’t appeal to US. But pooches love it!

Dozer the golden retriever - waiting to eat Pupcakes

Showing moist, tender inside of Pupcakes

What you need for pupcakes

Here’s what goes in these cupcakes – these are all dog friendly ingredients. It won’t upset your dogs’ stomache and you won’t have a mess to clean up on your lawn tomorrow (sorry to gross you out 😂).

Dozer ate 5 of these yesterday, and 4 the day before (many photo and video retakes!) and it didn’t affect his digestion at all.

What goes in Pupcakes - dog cupcakes

How to make dog cupcakes

The making part is no different to making your favourite blueberry muffins – ie super duper easy. Except you might have extra unwanted “help” in the kitchen if you let your pooch get involved…. (wait until you see Dozer “helping” in the recipe video!!)

Frosting for dog cupcakes

The secret ingredient in the creamy, fluffy frosting you see on these cupcakes is potato. A proven hit used in last years’ birthday cake for Dozer’s birthday!

You’ll see plenty of dog cakes and cupcake recipes online with sky-high swirls of frosting made with loads of high fat ingredients like cream cheese and peanut butter. Looks great. Bad for dogs.

At most, you’d limit it to a smear on each cupcake – which pooches wouldn’t complain about, but lacks the wow factor visually.

So I use potato instead. Made creamy with yogurt plus water, and a touch of honey to sweeten it = perfect piping consistency, looks totally authentic and far better for dogs than cream cheese so you can use plenty.

You and I wouldn’t eat it. But your dog is going to LOVE it!

Close up of pupcakes

What goes in dog friendly “frosting” for Pupcakes

Here’s what you need:

How to make Pupcake frosting

The trick here is to cook the potatoes until very, very soft – literally fall apart – so when you “whip” it up with yogurt, water and honey, it will become smooth with a fluffy buttercream frosting consistency!

Piping dog friendly frosting on pupcakes

Looks so real, humans will eat it!!

After last years’ hilarious incident when my friends’ husband ate Dozer’s Birthday Cake because it looked so REAL (while my friend watched silently, just for the amusement of seeing his reaction 🤣), I decided I better play it safe this year and top it with dog biscuits!!!

But actually, dog biscuit aside, these cupcakes are perfectly safe for humans to consume. They just taste rather…….interesting!!!

Platter for doggie birthday cupcakes - Pupcakes

Virtual doggie birthday party!

Given that children aren’t allowed to have birthday parties in this new world order, it didn’t seem very fair that Dozer should have one. Also because after experiencing the carnage at last years’ party (which ended with me having to dive in to grab the cake and run away with it), I knew that the frenzy of excitement created by taking treats down to the beach with 20+ golden retrievers would cause chaos that would likely lead to inadvertent breaches of social distancing requirements!! 😂

So this year, I packed up the pupcakes and distributed them among his friends – here are a few pics of Dozer’s buddies enjoying them!!

Aggie-Gordie-Prscilla-Caddie-Pupcakes

Doggie cupcakes packed to give to Dozer's friends

Happy Birthday Dozer!🎉

Happy 8th birthday Dozer!! I’ve loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you, that fateful day when I went out “just window shopping” for a puppy. As a pure bred golden retriever, you’re riddled with flaws with your double joints, your long legs, and your abnormally large size.

But to me, you’re perfect – and I wouldn’t have you any other way! – Nagi x

PS Wait, I lie. If you could just stop shedding fur everywhere, that would be terrific. That’s the only thing I’d change about you!

PPS Also, picking up your own 💩

Dozer the golden retriever dog 8th birthday


Watch how to make it

Dozer “helping” me make Pupcakes….(not!)

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Pupcakes! (dog cupcakes with "frosting")

Author: Nagi
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 40 mins
Dog Treats
Western
5 from 50 votes
Servings12
Tap or hover to scale
Print
Recipe video above - don't miss Dozer "helping" me make these cupcakes! Made with banana and peanut butter which dogs go mad over, the crumb is moist and tender, stays fresh for a week. Frosted generously with doggie friendly icing made with potato - much better for dogs than using loads of cream cheese, peanut butter or other typical frosting options. For METRIC - toggle under ingredients.

Ingredients

Pupcakes:

  • 2 ripe bananas (150g/5oz after peeling, ~2/3 cup mashed)
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter , smooth or creamy (Note 1)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups flour , all purpose/plain OR wholewheat/wholemeal (Note 2)
  • 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 cup oil , vegetable, canola, peanut or olive oil
  • 3/4 cup water

Fluffy dog friendly "frosting":

  • 500g / 1lb potatoes , peeled and cut into 2 cm/1" pieces
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1/2 cup yogurt, plain low fat (any unsweetened type) OR sour cream
  • 2 - 4 tbsp water
  • 12 small dog bone biscuits , for decorating (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C fan). Line a 12 hole muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  • Place bananas in a bowl and mash with a potato masher until smooth as you can get it.
  • Add peanut butter, honey and eggs. Whisk well until smooth.
  • Add flour, baking powder, oil and water. Whisk until smooth.
  • Divide between cupcakes until 3/4 full. Bake 22 minutes until the top is golden, or skewer comes out clean.
  • Transfer to cooling rack and cool for 30 minutes before topping with "frosting"

Frosting

  • Place potato in a large pot of water. Bring to boil, then cook potato for 20 minutes until very, very soft and starting to crumble on the edges.
  • Drain, then return into empty pot. Add yogurt, honey and water (starting with 2 tbsp). Beat with electric beater for 1 minute on speed 3, increasing to speed 5, for 1 minute or until smooth and creamy. Add more water if needed - it should have a soft consistency like frosting.
  • Transfer to piping bag fitted with a 1.5cm / 3/5" round nozzle (Note 3 for other nozzles). Pipe in swirling motion onto cupcakes, top with dog biscuit.

Recipe Notes:

1. Peanut butter - make sure the peanut butter doesn't contain Xylitol which is an artificial sweetener that is not good for dogs. Kraft peanut butter does not contain Xylitol which is what I use.
If you are unsure, go for all natural peanut butter (health aisle of supermarket) which is just pure peanuts. (Then use the leftovers to make Thai peanut sauce for yourself!)
2. Flour - I'd ordinarily use wholemeal/wholewheat flour because it's got more nutrition than white flour, but I'm out of stock and trying to minimise grocery outings!
3. Piping - you can use a standard star shaped nozzle and the piped frosting will look like this (Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato). But don't try to use a Wilton #1M or #1B nozzle used to make pretty swirls like in this photo on chocolate cupcakes. The consistency of the potato frosting isn't suitable - it just won't hold its shape (I tried and ended up with a total mess).
4. Storage - these have kept well for a week, hasn't lasted longer than that. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge (to ensure potato doesn't go off). The biscuit will soften - Dozer doesn't complain 😂

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 40cal (2%)Carbohydrates: 8g (3%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 1g (2%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Cholesterol: 27mg (9%)Sodium: 12mg (1%)Potassium: 165mg (5%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 5g (6%)Vitamin A: 52IU (1%)Vitamin C: 2mg (2%)Calcium: 41mg (4%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Keywords: dog cupcakes, dog treats, frosting for pupcakes, icing for dog cupcakes, Pupcakes
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

Life of Dozer

Just because this ENTIRE post is dedicated to Dozer, doesn’t mean I’m going to skip the Life of Dozer section! 😂 Here he is, on the job during this recipe video shoot. He scored many, MANY Pupcakes in carrying out his job….

Dozer video shoot for Pupcakes

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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

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363 Comments

  1. Lb says

    April 27, 2023 at 5:47 pm

    Love how Dozer is helping you clean everything 😍

    Reply
  2. Wesley Bielinski says

    April 27, 2023 at 4:18 am

    Sorry for this bizarre question, but why are the ends of the bananas red?

    Reply
    • Lb says

      April 27, 2023 at 5:46 pm

      The red wax indicates the bananas are grown using the Ecoganic farming method so they are free of harmful pesticides. The bananas are dipped in a bright red food grade wax to let shoppers know they are different from every other variety.

      Reply
  3. Amy says

    April 26, 2023 at 9:26 pm

    5 stars
    Fantastic recipe but might be worth skipping on the baking powder it’s not the best for them! Would there be an alternative ingredient for the powder? Happy Birthday beautiful boy xx

    Reply
  4. Samantha Millingen says

    April 26, 2023 at 8:58 pm

    I will make these dog friendly treats for my Goldie girl, Rosie who turns 9 soon. I just love your relationship with Dozer, mine with my girl is similar. We go every where together she brings joy to others.

    Reply
  5. Susan says

    April 25, 2023 at 3:16 am

    These look fabulous!! I’m trying them tomorrow for my service dog’s birthday! Quick question… Can I use sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes…thats what I have at home right now! Thank you! Susan

    Reply
  6. Frankie Brown says

    March 18, 2023 at 1:08 am

    5 stars
    Super easy and the children and pup both woofed it down although the girls scraped the frosting off!

    Reply
  7. Sayan says

    March 9, 2023 at 4:40 am

    5 stars
    Hey Nagi, I made this. I used homemade chicken broth (unsalted) instead of water. Turned out great. Thanks again and love to Dozer from Athena and me.

    Reply
  8. Cath says

    January 21, 2023 at 6:58 pm

    5 stars
    Made the pup-cakes, Huge hit with my neighbour’s and my son’s dogs.

    Reply
  9. jax says

    December 11, 2022 at 5:42 pm

    Hi Nagi and team,,, can we freeze these before we put the “icing” on?

    Reply
  10. Aine says

    October 18, 2022 at 11:59 am

    5 stars
    This is honestly the best and easiest recipe to follow. Just wondering if it is possible to freeze the Pupcakes as my doggo is obsessed and i would love to make a huge batch

    Reply
  11. Karen says

    August 19, 2022 at 7:02 am

    Lucky dog!!!
    How long would these last without frosting,not refrigerated? Would lov to send to nephew dogs in another state.

    Reply
  12. Kerri says

    August 2, 2022 at 3:34 am

    I’ve made these a few times now, and they’re always a big hit! Thank you for sharing!
    I’m curious what the red bit is on your bananas? I live in Canada and I’ve never seen anything like that before.

    Reply
    • Lb says

      April 27, 2023 at 5:48 pm

      The red wax indicates the bananas are grown using the Ecoganic farming method so they are free of harmful pesticides. The bananas are dipped in a bright red food grade wax to let shoppers know they are different from every other variety.

      Reply
  13. Mary says

    July 25, 2022 at 7:40 am

    LOVE this recipe!!!! I cut the recipe in half and used a mini muffin pan because I have a small dog. I also grated carrot for “sprinkles” Furgie LOVES her pupcakes!!!!!

    Reply
  14. Gloria says

    July 19, 2022 at 11:16 am

    I have 2 questions: what could I use in place of honey? My husband is allergic to honey, so I don’t typically keep it in the house. My normal honey substitute is agave, but from what I can find, dogs aren’t supposed to have that. Maybe applesauce? My second question is, if I made these in a mini muffin pan (for a very small dog) what do you think the difference would be on the bake time?

    Reply
    • Mary says

      July 25, 2022 at 7:42 am

      I used a mini muffin pan and went 25 minutes because they didn’t look done. The muffins were fine but next time I am going to cut back to 20 minutes for a moistier muffin. Start checking for doneness at 15 minutes or so.

      Reply
  15. Anna says

    July 18, 2022 at 12:31 pm

    Super cute, wouldn’t advise using potato if your giving them to pup on a regular basis, vet says potato encourages the bloat

    Reply
    • Charlotte says

      January 7, 2023 at 3:35 am

      I wonder if using pumpkin with some flour or other type of thickener can be used for the frosting.

      Reply
  16. Mary says

    July 14, 2022 at 4:14 am

    5 stars
    Wonderful recipe!! Are these people friendly as well!? They seem to be but !? Lol my granddaughter wants to make them and share with the dog!!

    Reply
  17. LynnInTheDesert says

    June 26, 2022 at 6:25 pm

    5 stars
    Hubby and I get Doodle sit for my best friends dog and we adore Bailey Marie. So when I saw this I had to make some for her. As I hate baking and have absolutely no decorating skill, I left off the “paw”sting. They came out of the oven looking perfect and smelling great. Bailey almost took off my fingers when I have her a piece! She gobbled it in seconds! Then waited patiently for more. Hubby came home and ate 2 before I told him they were pupcakes. He didn’t care and said they were really nice as they aren’t too sweet. And he’s happy for me to make a batch even if Bailey isn’t having a sleepover at our house!

    For everyday treats, I would either make them in mini muffin tins or pour only half as much in each regular tin and make twice as many.

    Bailey Marie says “Woof you very much, Nagi! And Woof Woof to Dozer!!!”

    Reply
  18. Debbie says

    June 9, 2022 at 10:01 am

    5 stars
    Can wait to make these for our dogs ! Just wondering if the calories are correct on the nutrition info ? 40 Cals ? Seems like it should be more. Does that include the frosting too ?

    Reply
    • A says

      June 27, 2022 at 7:07 am

      5 stars
      I made this and my Shih Tzu mix dog loved it but it was very time consuming and at least for me it took way more than 40 minutes. I also added some bacon on the top for her 5th birthday.

      Reply
  19. A says

    June 8, 2022 at 2:24 pm

    Can this cake be stored outside of the fridge if we don’t use the frosting?

    Reply
  20. Cc Black says

    May 24, 2022 at 1:02 am

    5 stars
    Thanks so much for this recipe , we made the large cake last year and this year we made the pupcakes for Indiana the beagles 6th birthday. Thanks for sharing your cake recipe Dozer x

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 24, 2022 at 8:14 pm

      Dozer says “woof” to Indiana and asks why he wasn’t invited to have cake!! 🦮🎂!!! N x

      Reply
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Hi, I'm Nagi!

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