Want to whip up a birthday cake for your dog's next special day? Treat him with beef and bacon, carob and carrots, and special frosting he'll love.
Bow Wow Beef and Bacon Birthday Cake
What dog can resist the delicious combination of beef and bacon?
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2/3 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 jar of strained beef baby food
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup bacon bits
Directions:
- Stir flour and baking powder together in a mixing bowl.
- Cream together the butter, oil, baby food and eggs.
- Mix the dry ingredients with the wet mix, and then stir in the bacon bits.
- Pour into a greased and floured 8" x 8" baking pan.
- If desired, sprinkle a light layer of bacon bits on top as a frosting substitute.
- Bake in a 350 degree F oven for approximately 35-40 minutes, or until the center of the cake springs back when lightly poked. Oven times may vary.
Canine Carob and Carrot Cake
This naturally sweet doggy birthday cake can satisfy the chocolate-loving hound's taste buds without risking the toxicity from natural chocolate. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/3 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup carob chips (Easily available at your local health food store)
Directions:
- Mix the dry ingredients.
- Cream together the butter, oil, and eggs.
- Stir in the carrots and carobs.
- Pour batter into a well-greased 8"x 8" square or 8-inch round baking pan. Bake for approximately 35 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Baking time may vary in your oven.
Choose a frosting option from below or serve without it.
Frosting Ideas
Although birthdays only come once a year, you may still want to avoid feeding your dog a sugary frosting. Here are a few frosting substitutes you can try.
- Cream cheese: Whipped cream cheese is quite spreadable and tasty too. Just be sure to refrigerate the cake when you're finished decorating.
- Plain yogurt: Yogurt makes a healthy cake topping, and the plain variety compliments just about any cake flavor. Due to its consistency, yogurt is best used on a birthday cake you plan to leave in the pan. Again, be sure to refrigerate.
- Peanut butter: Most dogs love peanut butter, and the creamy consistency makes this a natural choice for a frosting substitute. Just be certain your dog doesn't have any kind of peanut allergy before you give it a try. You can also blend a little peanut butter into cream cheese for added flavor and color.
Be sure your cake is completely cool before frosting.
Special Tips
The great thing about baking dog cakes is that you are free to use ingredients you might not consider for a human's cake, and they're incredibly simple and quick to make. Meaty baby foods add protein and a flavor boost to any batter. Can you add bacon to a cake recipe? You bet, and your dog will flip for it. Get creative and your dog will love anything you cook up.
