How to Make Dog Cupcakes (aka Pupcakes)

Looking for a special treat for your dog? Whether it’s your furry best friend’s birthday, or you just want to spoil them, baking dog cupcakes (aka pupcakes) is sure to make their day.

Not just any cupcakes can be served to dogs. But this pupcakes recipe uses ingredients such as banana, peanut butter and applesauce to produce a delicious dog-friendly dessert. Serve it with frosting only or add their favorite homemade dog treats on top.

How to Make Dog Cupcakes

These cupcakes use peanut butter for great flavor. But it’s important to choose a creamy peanut butter without xylitol on the ingredients list. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that’s toxic for dogs.

This recipe makes 8 pupcakes.

Ingredients

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For the cake:

• 1-2/3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons water

For the frosting:

• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

Directions

Step 1: Start the batter

Molly Allen for Taste of Home

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a mixing bowl, add the flour and baking soda, and whisk to combine. Mix in the oil, egg and applesauce.

Step 2: Finish the batter and bake

Molly Allen for Taste of Home

Stir in the mashed banana, peanut butter and water.

Line a cupcake pan with 8 paper liners. Fill each cupcake liner halfway full. Bake the cupcakes for 16 to 18 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of one comes out clean. Once baked, remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to fully cool.

Step 3: Frost and decorate

Molly Allen for Taste of Home

To make the frosting, mix together the yogurt and peanut butter. Spread the frosting on the cooled cupcakes, or decorate each with a piping bag. Sprinkle crushed dog biscuits on top.

Tips for Making Dog Cupcakes

How should you store dog cupcakes?

Stored in an airtight container, these dog cupcakes will keep for three to five days. Once they’re frosted, these cupcakes should be stored in the refrigerator. If you’d prefer to make pupcakes that can be left out at room temperature, leave the yogurt out of the frosting and top these treats with peanut butter only.

Are these pupcakes safe for all dogs?

The ingredients used to make this dog cupcake recipe are all dog friendly. The addition of banana adds good fiber, potassium and magnesium, while the egg offers beneficial protein, vitamins and fatty acids. It’s always best to check with your vet before feeding your dog something out of their normal diet. If your dog has an allergy to grain, this recipe isn’t a good option.

Find more foods you can share with your dog.