Mini Dog Birthday Cake
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What better way to celebrate your pup’s special day than with this Mini Dog Birthday Cake?! Complete with peanut butter and cheese and over 170+ five star ratings, it’s sure to please!
Why you (and your pup!) will love this recipe:
- This recipe has over 170 five star ratings and counting, so you know it’s a good one.
- It’s made with peanut butter, pumpkin and topped with cheese — all of your dog’s favorite foods!
- It’s easy to make, and is shareable too (so multiple dogs can enjoy it).
Table of Contents
This mini dog birthday cake is a huge hit, because dogs deserve cake on their birthday! My baby turns TWO today—like, how? I figured she deserved a dog birthday cake this year. Though my personal favorite cake is my chocolate vegan birthday cake, it’s not exactly dog-friendly, so I figured I should make a separate recipe for Layla.
I’m completely biased, but Layla is simply the best. She keeps me company all day long while I work from home and she brings me so much joy. Plus, she has an adorable underbite and she increases my daily step count thanks to all of the walks we go on.
- If your dog loves this recipe, be sure to check out this pumpkin dog cake, these dog popsicles and my popular homemade dog food recipe.
Dog Cake Ingredients
Like most dogs, Layla’s a big fan of pumpkin and peanut butter, so I knew I needed to include those things. This dog birthday cake is quite similar to a human cake but with less sugar.
All purpose flour – This is my go-to for most of my baked goods. If you’re looking for a grain-free cake recipe, this isn’t it, sorry! I’ve only tested this using all purpose flour. With that said, I’m certain gluten free 1:1 baking flour would be an ok substitute.
Coconut oil – I like using coconut oil in my baked goods, but any kind of oil will work here (i.e. canola oil, avocado oil, etc.).
Honey – Since this is a dog cake, we want to minimize sugar. However, it does need some sugar, and I find honey or maple syrup are both good options.
Pumpkin – Canned pumpkin is what I used, but you could also use cooked and mashed sweet potatoes if you prefer.
Peanut butter – Layla loves peanut butter the most, but almond butter, cashew butter or tahini should all work just fine.
Yogurt – Plain Greek yogurt is what I suggest, as it tends to be thicker than regular yogurt and will create a better icing.
The full ingredient list with quantities can be found below in the recipe card.
How to Make a Dog Birthday Cake
Step 1: Combine dry ingredients. In a large bowl, stir the flour and baking soda together and set aside.
Step 2: Mix wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine the oil, eggs, pumpkin, peanut butter, and honey. Then, pour the dry ingredients into the wet and stir to combine.
Step 3: Bake. Divide the batter into two greased 4″ cake pans, then bake the cakes for 20-30 minutes, or until a toothpick is clean. Wait for the cakes to come to room temperature before icing them.
Dog Birthday Cake FAQs
Yes, humans can eat dog cake. However, this cake recipe in particular isn’t super sweet, so it isn’t going to taste like regular cake. But, all of the ingredients are human-grade, so they’re safe for human (and dog) consumption!
Cake can be made up to 48 hours ahead of time, though I suggest waiting to add the icing until you’re ready to give it to your dog. Simple bake the cakes, wait for them to cool then wrap each cake individually in plastic wrap and store in the fridge.
Questions? TONS of people have made this recipe, so be sure to read the comments for additional tips!
More pumpkin recipes
Want even more dog cake recipes? This article from Play Bark Run has a great list of dog-friendly cake recipes.
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Mini Dog Birthday Cake
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup honey, preferably raw
- 1/4 cup canned pumpkin
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
for the icing:
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Grease two 4″ cake pans with a bit of coconut oil and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine flour and baking soda; set aside.
- Melt coconut oil in a saucepan over low-medium heat.
- While coconut oil is melting, whisk egg, honey, pumpkin, applesauce, peanut butter, and vanilla together in a large bowl using an electric mixer. Last, stir in the melted coconut oil.
- Fold the wet ingredients into the dry and stir to combine.
- Pour batter evenly into the two pans, pounding them on the countertop a few times to the batter lays flat. Place the cake pans on a baking sheet and the baking sheet in the oven.
- Bake cakes for 20-30 minutes**, or until a toothpick comes out clean or mostly clean.
- Let the cakes sit in the pans for 10 minutes before running a knife along the edges and flipping them over onto a cooling rack. Wait until cakes are completely cool before icing.
for the icing:
- Stir yogurt and peanut butter together
assembly:
- Slice the tops of both cakes off (the "dome" part) and then lay the cut edges together, placing a bit of icing in between. Top the cake with additional icing. Additionally, if you want to cover the entire cake with icing (rather than just the top and middle), just double the icing ingredients.
- Top the cake with cheese to make your pup’s special day that much better!
Notes
Nutrition
Hi Erin,
Vanilla essence is toxic for dogs. Confused 🙁
You can omit it! I make this cake for my dog 1x per year and she’s fine.
Unless you are using alcohol-free vanilla extract, you are most likely slowly killing your dogs liver with alcohol toxicity.
LOL!!! ok!! I make this cake for my dog ONCE A YEAR but yes you’re right.
What can i replace egg with ?
I’d use a flax egg! (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tbsp water, then let the mixture sit for 5 minutes or so before adding it in).
I made this for Erisa’s birthday and all 3 dogs love it!!!!😁❤
Can I double up on the pumpkin and omit the applesauce?
Yes!
If making cake night before with the yogurt/peanut butter icing, should it be refrigerated? Thanks!
Yes I think that would be best
Is it possible to replace the canned pumpkin with mashed carrot? My dog loves carrots, but doesn’t really like pumpkin. Thanks in advance
Yes that should work!
Isn’t vanilla extract toxic to dogs?
I’ve made this cake every year for my dog (she’s 7) and she’s fine. If you don’t feel comfortable using it, simply omit it — the cake will still turn out.
Can a person eat this
Technically yes, though it won’t taste very good. You’d be better off making my pumpkin dog cake recipe: https://thealmondeater.com/vegan-pumpkin-dog-cake-for-people-too/
My pups loved this cake for their 1st birthday. I made little bars and topped with yoghurt – not a crumb was left. Will be making again for their next birthday. Yummo
Woohooo — glad to hear the pups enjoyed it!
Do you think I can substitute sun butter instead of peanut butter? My daughter has a peanut allergy so we don’t want our Ollie giving her kisses after he celebrates 🙂
Yes that will work!
Made this for my pups 1 year bday. Used whole wheat flour. He sat next by while I made it waiting to help clean all the utensils. He devoured the cake. Served it with primal goat milk. Thank you!
I’m so happy he liked the cake!
I’m thinking about making this for my 1 year old puppy’s birthday, but I’m wondering if I can make it the night before and then give it to her over the next four days. She can’t play with any of her puppy friends right now, so I don’t have any other dogs to share it with. I’m really looking forward to making it!!! Thanks!!!
Yes that should work!
Is there another pan I can use if I don’t have 4″?
One round 8″ pan should work!