Looking for a tasty treat to make for your special pup? Try my Peanut Butter Pupcakes recipe!
We are definitely Dog People in my house. From experience, I can tell you that rescue dogs make the best dogs, and this guy definitely won us all over. We have loved and lost, and this guy helped us learn how to love again.
Two years ago, our family was blessed by #BlissDog: this adorable 65-pound guy, who was just two years old and about to turn three.
On his first birthday with our family, when he turned three, our kids wanted to throw him a dog birthday party. We made him special homemade dog treats and celebrated with friends and family.
Peanut Butter Pupcakes
This past week, he turned the big FIVE. While we didn't throw a party with friends over (my kids did ask), we baked him some Peanut Butter Pupcakes to commemorate the occasion (recipe below). Boy, was he excited!
Tips for Finding the Right Family Dog
Have you thought about getting a family dog, but are hesitant? My advice is to first do some online research about dog breeds and what type of dog might be right for you and your family.
Then, visit different rescue places. In Oregon, we love the Oregon Humane Society, where we found two previous awesome dogs. We also love Family Dogs New Life Shelter, where we found our current pup!
Be sure to bring all family members with you, and give yourself plenty of time to visit with the dogs. Go a few different times. You will know when you've found The One.
Furry Family Bonds
Our pup is the sweetest, smartest, cuddliest companion, and our son's best friend. The bond between these two is amazing, and we feel very lucky to have him in our kids' lives. Dogs teach kids so much -- about responsibility, kindness, caring, unconditional love. It also helps that he's a pretty fierce guard dog, too, so we all feel nicely protected with him around.
If you have a special dog in your life, or you want to make some special homemade dog treats for a friend's dog, try this recipe for Peanut Butter Pupcakes. It is SO easy to make and easy to adapt if your dog has allergies to any of the ingredients.
Peanut Butter Pupcakes
Ingredients
- - 1 large egg
- - ¼ cup + 2 Tablespoons peanut butter
- - ¼ cup vegetable oil
- - ⅓ cup honey
- - 1 cup shredded carrots
- - 1 cup whole wheat flour
- - 1 teaspoon baking soda
- - ⅓ cup quick cooking oats
- OPTIONAL: peanut butter for frosting dog biscuits or treats
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a cupcake tin with 6-8 cupcake liners.
- Combine the egg, peanut butter, oil, honey, and shredded carrots in a large bowl. Feel free to omit the honey if you'd like.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and oats. Add this to the carrot mixture, and stir until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Divide the mixture evenly among prepared cupcake liners.
- Bake for 15-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs on it and the tops are slightly golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack.
Notes
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
Bobbi parlett says
How should these be stored (in refrig?) and for how long can they be stored? Could they be frozen for a frozen treat? Thanks.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hi Bobbi! These are best served the day they are made. You can store these in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and if unfrosted, you can freeze the pupcakes for up to one month. Just be sure to thaw them fully if you freeze them.
I would not serve them as frozen treats because of the size of the pupcakes. However, you could cut them into really small pieces, flash freeze, then store in the freezer to serve as frozen treats. I've never done that, so if you try it, please let us know how it goes!
Pamela says
These are fabulous. I have made a lot of pupcakes over the past 10 years and these literally take the cake! We didn't have carrots but used sweet potatoes instead. Ridiculously simple to make, and the pups absolutely loved them! Thank you so much!!!
Julia says
I am going to make these for my puppy’s first birthday and he has never had human food before besides dog ice cream and peanut butter so we will see if he likes it.
Lucinda Thompson says
I love the peanut butter 🥜 pupcakes 🧁for my 4 dogs!🐕🐕🐕🐕 This is a special treat for them! Now I make these pupcakes🧁for my dogs 🐕🐕🐕🐕 thank you for sharing!
Mandy says
I made this without honey and added a little water to mix, they turned out fabulous!
Diana says
Help!!! Today is my mastiffs sixth birthday. Is the batter on the pup cakes suppose to be really thick???
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hi Diana! Happy birthday to your mastiff! I just added a photo in the recipe card so you can see what the batter looks like when I bake them for our pups. :) It is thick and not soupy like cake batter, but it shouldn't be TOO thick that you can't spoon it easily into the muffin cups. You can always add a *little* more peanut butter or some oil to the batter if you are worried about it, but the pupcakes are supposed to be harder than human cupcakes when baked. Good luck and please let me know how it goes! :)
Mandy says
I added a bit of water and they were great
CATHY RINALDI says
after i go buy some yogurt I'm going to make the frozen treats. If the dogs don't like them i can eat them. I have 8 dogs, all are rescues.It's so hard to say no when a dog looks at you with eyes that show you his heart and then you find out that his days are numbered. I love them all. SPAY/NEUTER your dogs
BCP Veterinary Pharmacy says
it's a great recipe. thanks for sharing a lot ;) it's not so easy to find recipes for pets
jordan says
Great recipe!
Kathy says
My furbaby turns 6 today and I would love to make these but I don't have any honey. Any ideas for a substitution? Thanks for a great recipe, can't wait to try it.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hi Kathy! Happy birthday to your furbaby! You could try to substitute agave nectar, maple syrup, or even light corn syrup for honey. It definitely will not have the same effect, but those are the closest substitutes. If you do sub, let me know what you used and how it goes. Thanks!
Jaz says
My dog loved these.
I followed the recipe exactly except i did used pumpkin and chunky peanut butter.
I even ate a few myself and it tastes like a non-sweet/light-sweet granola bar or energy bar.
Amy says
I have regular oats.. like a granola type. No added flavors. But it doesn’t say “baking” oats.
Is this okay?...
We are excited to make our birthday boy his special treat today!!!
Thank you
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hi Amy - that should work. Let me know how it goes!
Emily says
My 3 dogs love it!
Nicki hyslop says
Just made this for my dogs 1st birthday and she loved it so much!!
Laura Allen says
I REALLY loved this recipe. This was my first time using the recipe. It was my puppy's first birthday and I wanted to do something special for it. I think this was the perfect present for him. But, for the frosting, I added coconut oil to it and it seemed like a good idea. My dog loved it!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
So glad to hear your pup loved it! Thanks Laura!
Katerina Troy says
These are so GREAT! I made them for my dog in cookie form on a tray and he loved them. I can't wait to make him more on his first birthday tomorrow. Thanks for the amazing recipie!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Katerina, I am so glad to hear that! Happy first birthday to your sweet pup! :)