Happy 4th Birthday to my golden retriever, Einstein!
Every year I bake him a little something special (and dog-friendly) to celebrate his birthday. This year I decided on these super cute apple and cheddar “pup”cakes. The original recipe includes a cream cheese frosting, but I honestly didn’t think it was necessary. Cupcakes on top of regular food is more than enough for this 70-lb furball. Maybe that makes these more of a muffin? In any case, he more than approved and thoroughly enjoyed his birthday treat(s) and begged for more. Then again, he’s not exactly hard to please when it comes to food!
He kept a very close eye on the entire baking process. I’m pretty sure he somehow realized these were for him.
The furry guy has had quite a good year by dog standards. Some highlights:
He loves the snow so, needless to say, he fully embraced the Blizzard of 2010:
He napped a lot:
He hunted out perfect sun spots:
He enjoyed the lazy days of summer with my mom’s dog, Bella:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line muffin tins with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, oats, baking powder and baking soda. In a medium bowl, whisk together the applesauce, water, oil, honey and eggs, then stir in the apple and cheese. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and stir until just barely blended.
3. Spoon the batter into the muffin tins, filling almost full (you may have a couple spoonfuls of batter leftover). Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the tins for a few minutes and then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
I made these for my Basset Hound Roscoe who celebrated his 10th birthday and they were just awesome. I used whole wheat flour because I have it for when I make him dog biscuits. The only changes I made was to add about 1/4 cup of bacon bits and I used a couple of tablespoons of brown sugar since I didn’t have honey. I frosted them with peanut butter and stuck a dog biscuit in each one. They turned out wonderful and both of my bassets love them!!! Thank you so much for this easy recipe. Einstein is adorable!!!
Your beloved poochie is beautiful, and obviously well-cared for. Good for you, and for him. I love to see people treat their pets the way they would their family, for they truly are family. That last picture really made my day … great shot. Really looks like he’s soaking in the warmth of Christmas (but in reality is just loving the full feeling from your yummy cooking!)
He is such a beautiful dog. I have a cute mongrel named Lola (born 21 feb 2012) and I must say that she has the same exact expressions and poses that Einstein has in all the photos here. She loves cakes and the simple Marie Biscuits but does not enjoy store bought dog biscuits. I am going to try making the biscuits according to your recipes. Thanks for sharing and letting us enjoy your love for Einstein.
These were so good! And the fur babies loved them too ;) ! I had to yell at my boyfriend to stop eating the dogs’ birthday treats. Great, easy recipe that I’ll have to make again and again!
My puppy turns 1 today and I can’t wait to spoil him with one of you recipes! Thanks for the inspiration. Einstein is beautiful. Dogs are just so amanzig <3 Best wishes.
I make these pupcakes (a mini version) for a craft fair at my church – made them with the frosting the first year and it was really messy and as you mentioned, unnecessary. They sell out every year! My four dogs love the mistakes!
I found you blog via Pinterest and your picture of Einstein watching the Christmas tree. We adopted a 6yr old Golden this year after our 13yr old black lab passed away. Scruffy has been a balm to our hearts..I’m looking forward to making him some Pupcakes too! :-)
Hi Deborah, I’m so sorry to hear about your black lab, but it’s so wonderful that you found a Golden Retriever to fill the void in your heart and life. They’re such wonderful little people! :)
What a beautiful boy! I have a golden too, her name is Lily, and I love baking for her. I’ll definitely be trying this one out soon, maybe for her upcoming first birthday! I really love your website, will be making many many of the recipes in coming weeks!
I love it! Einstein is a beatiful dog! We have a golden too that we just adore — and we also celebrate her birthday every year with a party. Dogs are just the greatest and deserved to be spoiled daily!
Aww sooo cute! My mom is always trying to get me to whip up something for our bulldog, but he’s so sensitive to many foods it can be challenging. This recipe sounds like something I could make and he could eat–perfect!! By the way, Einstein is adorable!! :-)
Sooo cute! Yellowdog sends Einstein lots of happy birthday wishes (slightly late)! And, I know she’s waiting for me to make these pupcakes for her… I know she will love them.
Aww I absolutely luv that you showed us what Einstein did on his special day. I’m a lil late Einstein so Happy Belated it looks like you enjoyed your day!
Awww…I love it! Your dog is sooo cute! I made some peanut butter delight pupcakes for my dogs birthday this year! He loved them…I am definitely going to try this one this birthday! Happy birthday Einstein! :)
Happy Birthday Einstein. He is SO handsome! I just put these Pupcakes in the oven for our Old English Sheepdog, Nana, who just turned 9. She is the LOVE of our lives, and I was so glad to bake her a special treat.
Einstein is so sweet! I want one! I think it is so great that you baked him a treat – my dog used to get a can of dog food wrapped up for his birthday. I’m thinking that he would have preferred the freshly baked treat :)
The shot of him gazing at his pup cakes is priceless. These sound too good to be true for a pup & great for us too! I would for sure be munching on those cakes. Happy b’day to your sweet golden retriever! xo
Happy Birthday, Einstein! Love the pupcakes. My dog , Bailey will be 6 tomorrow, so I’m making her doggy peanut butte,r banana, carrot pupcakes. You beat me to them by 1 day!
Oh, it warms my heart to see animals that are so happy and loved so much ! You must be a wonderful person, and such a beautiful, comfortable home. Hoping that you all have a blessed and peaceful New Year !!
Happy birthday Einstein! We have a golden named Gus who celebrated his first birthday on Halloween. He’s my first golden and my husband’s third. I’m so in love with the breed! He’s an amazing dog, and from the looks of it, he and Einstein would get along swimmingly!
Einstein looks like such a happy pup! He’s luck to have homemade treats on his birthday! I’ve tried my hand at homemade dog treats, too, and Layla seems to love them. Dr V, over at Pawcurious.com, put together an e-book collection of homemade dog treats: http://www.pawcurious.com/2010/12/i-come-bearing-gifts/
OHH Happy Birthday Einstein! He is adorable. I have a dog too and he is awesome. Mine is a lab/poodle mix (60lbs) but he enjoys the same stuff Einstein does. I have never made him treats but you inpired me. Awesome pictures.
Einstein is beautiful. Happy Birthday Boy :) Your photos of him are just lovely and his face is gorgeous. Love the one of him gazing at the Christmas Tree. I could just give him a big hug.
Happy birthday to Einstein! A treat indeed. Our dogs (a Carpathian Shepherd Dog and a mixed breed) love treats but they are so greedy they’ll eat the tray :).
Happy birthday Einstein! This is such a good idea. I used to make “Woof Woof Waffles” during my pet treat business phase back in the day haha. I’m going to send this recipe to my mom to make for our family dog, Jackson. Thanks for sharing!! :)
Happy birthday Einstein! This is such a good idea. I used to make “Woof Woof Waffles” during my pet treat business phase back in the day haha. I’m going to send this recipe to my mom to make for our family dog, Jackson. Thanks for sharing!! :)
Awww, happy birthday, Einstein! My dog’s bday is at the end of the month and last year I made him your doggie cake recipe…so, maybe this year he’ll get these too.
What a great dog! And love the name Einstein, too. Maybe I have some dog soul in me, because these look really good to me, too :). I love the addition of cheese.
Happy birthday to your Einstein! My pup turns 5 next month. I’ve made him pupcakes and cakes in the past for his birthday, and he always loves them. I’m sure he’d love these as well!
Aodrable! Our puppy is celebrating his first birthday in May and I’m pretty sure I’m making something special to celebrate! Hope Einstein had a great day! Looks like he’s really living the life!
Happy Birthday Einstein…wishing you many more!!! My almost 2 year old Golden Retriever would love to make a play date – her name is Bella and she is a beauty.
What a great idea! I used to give my dog a Kong (sp?) with frozen peanut butter inside for his birthdays. These pictures are soo wonderful! Happy Birthday Einstein!
i have a question, how do you know what ingredients are ‘dog friendly’? I have 2 yorkies and have been dying to bake for them but am too afraid i’ll feed them something that isn’t good for them :-/
I made these for my Basset Hound Roscoe who celebrated his 10th birthday and they were just awesome. I used whole wheat flour because I have it for when I make him dog biscuits. The only changes I made was to add about 1/4 cup of bacon bits and I used a couple of tablespoons of brown sugar since I didn’t have honey. I frosted them with peanut butter and stuck a dog biscuit in each one. They turned out wonderful and both of my bassets love them!!! Thank you so much for this easy recipe. Einstein is adorable!!!
Would you use an icing on these? If so what kind? Maybe a cream cheese frosting…
Hi Anastashia, I never have, but you could do a smear of peanut butter or yogurt!
Your beloved poochie is beautiful, and obviously well-cared for. Good for you, and for him. I love to see people treat their pets the way they would their family, for they truly are family. That last picture really made my day … great shot. Really looks like he’s soaking in the warmth of Christmas (but in reality is just loving the full feeling from your yummy cooking!)
He is such a beautiful dog.
I have a cute mongrel named Lola (born 21 feb 2012) and I must say that she has the same exact expressions and poses that Einstein has in all the photos here.
She loves cakes and the simple Marie Biscuits but does not enjoy store bought dog biscuits. I am going to try making the biscuits according to your recipes. Thanks for sharing and letting us enjoy your love for Einstein.
These were so good! And the fur babies loved them too ;) ! I had to yell at my boyfriend to stop eating the dogs’ birthday treats. Great, easy recipe that I’ll have to make again and again!
Absolutely adorable pics and post!
I found this post while searching for birthday ideas for my two Yorkies. Love this recipe and can’t wait to share it with out Cabot Facebook friends!
My puppy turns 1 today and I can’t wait to spoil him with one of you recipes! Thanks for the inspiration. Einstein is beautiful. Dogs are just so amanzig <3 Best wishes.
I make these pupcakes (a mini version) for a craft fair at my church – made them with the frosting the first year and it was really messy and as you mentioned, unnecessary. They sell out every year! My four dogs love the mistakes!
I found you blog via Pinterest and your picture of Einstein watching the Christmas tree. We adopted a 6yr old Golden this year after our 13yr old black lab passed away. Scruffy has been a balm to our hearts..I’m looking forward to making him some Pupcakes too! :-)
Hi Deborah, I’m so sorry to hear about your black lab, but it’s so wonderful that you found a Golden Retriever to fill the void in your heart and life. They’re such wonderful little people! :)
What a beautiful boy! I have a golden too, her name is Lily, and I love baking for her. I’ll definitely be trying this one out soon, maybe for her upcoming first birthday! I really love your website, will be making many many of the recipes in coming weeks!
So cute, just a quick question did you name him Einstein from the Dean Koontz Watchers book
Hi Lauren! I actually named him after the dog in Back to the Future movies :)
Hehe, your pup is just too cute! and a little spoilt :D xx
I love it! Einstein is a beatiful dog! We have a golden too that we just adore — and we also celebrate her birthday every year with a party. Dogs are just the greatest and deserved to be spoiled daily!
Aww, what a cutie! What a lucky dog he is to have a baking mama that loves to spoil him.
Aww sooo cute! My mom is always trying to get me to whip up something for our bulldog, but he’s so sensitive to many foods it can be challenging. This recipe sounds like something I could make and he could eat–perfect!! By the way, Einstein is adorable!! :-)
Sooo cute! Yellowdog sends Einstein lots of happy birthday wishes (slightly late)! And, I know she’s waiting for me to make these pupcakes for her… I know she will love them.
SOOOOO CUUUUUTE!!! My doggie does all those things too! (except the christmas tree thing, we don’t have that). I think I love doggies more than food.
Oh, Einstein is so cute. We have a golden named Ginger who is 7. There is no dog to compare to a GR. They are the greatest dogs ~ so loving.
Awww what a sweet pup! Happy Belated Birthday Einstein!
Aww I absolutely luv that you showed us what Einstein did on his special day. I’m a lil late Einstein so Happy Belated it looks like you enjoyed your day!
He is a beautiful boy. I have a golden too that I adore. Now I know what to fix for her birthday in August.
Awww…I love it! Your dog is sooo cute! I made some peanut butter delight pupcakes for my dogs birthday this year! He loved them…I am definitely going to try this one this birthday! Happy birthday Einstein! :)
Aww Einstein is too cute! I especially adore the photo of him in the snow. And I love that you make a special birthday treat for him. :)
Einstein looks like such an amazing dog! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Einstein! What a sweet doggie…those pictures are so adorable. Dogs are just the best :)
Happy Birthday Einstein. He is SO handsome! I just put these Pupcakes in the oven for our Old English Sheepdog, Nana, who just turned 9. She is the LOVE of our lives, and I was so glad to bake her a special treat.
Einstein is so sweet! I want one! I think it is so great that you baked him a treat – my dog used to get a can of dog food wrapped up for his birthday. I’m thinking that he would have preferred the freshly baked treat :)
Happy Birthday to Einstein!! I’m sure he enjoyed his yummy treats :)
How precious!
Your mom’s dog looks exactly like our dog! She’s from Pittsburgh too! :) The dog that is.
The shot of him gazing at his pup cakes is priceless. These sound too good to be true for a pup & great for us too! I would for sure be munching on those cakes. Happy b’day to your sweet golden retriever! xo
Happy Birthday, Einstein! Love the pupcakes. My dog , Bailey will be 6 tomorrow, so I’m making her doggy peanut butte,r banana, carrot pupcakes. You beat me to them by 1 day!
Einstein is so handsome! I love the pic of him in the snow and the one with your grandma is so sweet!
Oh, it warms my heart to see animals that are so happy and loved so much ! You must be a wonderful person, and such a beautiful, comfortable home. Hoping that you all have a blessed and peaceful New Year !!
awwww he’s adorable! Happy Birthday!
Einstein gets to celebrate with a great muffin. Lucky!
Nisrine
He’s adorable. Happy Birthday Einstein!
Happy birthday Einstein! We have a golden named Gus who celebrated his first birthday on Halloween. He’s my first golden and my husband’s third. I’m so in love with the breed! He’s an amazing dog, and from the looks of it, he and Einstein would get along swimmingly!
Happy Birthday to Einstein!!
And congratulations to you for having a so good friend ;)
Awesome post. It made me a little teary-eyed remembering my own dog. Im glad you celebrate his birthday. Looks like he deserves it.
Seriously, this is one of the cutest posts I’ve ever read. I loved it!!! *-*
I just love that last picture of him next to the Christmas tree! What a cute pup – happy birthday to him! :-)
Aw, what a good pup!
Happy Birthday Einstein! He seems so well behaved, even eating cake. What a cutie.
Einstein looks like such a happy pup! He’s luck to have homemade treats on his birthday! I’ve tried my hand at homemade dog treats, too, and Layla seems to love them. Dr V, over at Pawcurious.com, put together an e-book collection of homemade dog treats: http://www.pawcurious.com/2010/12/i-come-bearing-gifts/
Happy Birthday, Einstein!!
Happy Birthday Einstein!!!! :D Too cute!
Happy Bday Einstein!!! From my puppy Hurley. You are a beautiful dog!
OHH Happy Birthday Einstein! He is adorable. I have a dog too and he is awesome. Mine is a lab/poodle mix (60lbs) but he enjoys the same stuff Einstein does. I have never made him treats but you inpired me. Awesome pictures.
Einstein is beautiful. Happy Birthday Boy :) Your photos of him are just lovely and his face is gorgeous. Love the one of him gazing at the Christmas Tree. I could just give him a big hug.
P.S. the muffins looked wonderful too :)
Happy Birthday Einstein! What a loving dog-mama to make him special treats :)
He’s adorable! The shot of him with the Christmas tree got me! I love how our dogs are truly members of the family and even get birthday treats!
Einstein is adorable. Happy birthday to him!
Um those look really good- can people eat them too??
Why not? They’re all normal ingredients. I’m making some tomorrow for my dog’a 15th bday and I plan on eating some.
Happy birthday to Einstein! A treat indeed. Our dogs (a Carpathian Shepherd Dog and a mixed breed) love treats but they are so greedy they’ll eat the tray :).
Happy birthday Einstein! This is such a good idea. I used to make “Woof Woof Waffles” during my pet treat business phase back in the day haha. I’m going to send this recipe to my mom to make for our family dog, Jackson. Thanks for sharing!! :)
-Marissa
Happy birthday Einstein! This is such a good idea. I used to make “Woof Woof Waffles” during my pet treat business phase back in the day haha. I’m going to send this recipe to my mom to make for our family dog, Jackson. Thanks for sharing!! :)
-Marissa
Happy birthday, Einstein! I might have to steal this recipe and make treats for my parents’ two Goldens.
Awww! I love Einstein! He is the cutest! Happy Birthday!!!
Awww, happy birthday, Einstein! My dog’s bday is at the end of the month and last year I made him your doggie cake recipe…so, maybe this year he’ll get these too.
What a great dog! And love the name Einstein, too. Maybe I have some dog soul in me, because these look really good to me, too :). I love the addition of cheese.
Happy birthday einstein! Great pictures, love the last shot with the tree. Oh, and this recipe is Barkley approved, he goes insane for pupcakes!
Happy birthday to your Einstein! My pup turns 5 next month. I’ve made him pupcakes and cakes in the past for his birthday, and he always loves them. I’m sure he’d love these as well!
What a sweet post!! Einstein looks like a VERY happy dog! Hope he enjoys a wonderfully happy birthday!
Happy Birthday to Einstein!
Awww, what a sweet boy! Happy Birthday to him :)
Happy Birthday Einstein!!!! (from my pups – Echo, Abel, Leroy & Oliver)
He is absolutely gorgeous! What a sweetheart! Happy Birthday, Einstein!!
Happy birthday Einstein!! I love the first picture with him lingering in the background, a bit hidden. He is a beauty
Happy Birthday Einstein!!!!
I love the apple-cheddar combo in baked goods. So yummy! Definitely doesn’t need icing though. Mmmmm I want one!!
Aodrable! Our puppy is celebrating his first birthday in May and I’m pretty sure I’m making something special to celebrate! Hope Einstein had a great day! Looks like he’s really living the life!
so cute,…:-)
Happy Birthday Einstein…wishing you many more!!! My almost 2 year old Golden Retriever would love to make a play date – her name is Bella and she is a beauty.
Enjoy your treat and Happy New Year!
What a great idea! I used to give my dog a Kong (sp?) with frozen peanut butter inside for his birthdays.
These pictures are soo wonderful! Happy Birthday Einstein!
He’s so cute! And thanks for the recipe, my dog would love something like that!
I love dog pictures!! Happy birthday Einstein :)
Aww! Happy Birthday Einstein!!
the.cutest.dog ever
Can I come over and play?
Happy Bday Einstein!
Aw, so cute! Happy birthday to your dog!
einstein’s b.day gave us a recipe that we will enjoy as well!
hope your b.day is a great one einstein!!
Happy birthday, Einstein!
How sweet is that…… :)
Happy Birthday Einstein!!!!!!
ADORABLE! your blog rocks my world :)
i have a question, how do you know what ingredients are ‘dog friendly’? I have 2 yorkies and have been dying to bake for them but am too afraid i’ll feed them something that isn’t good for them :-/
Einstein is too dang cute!
He is a beautiful puppy! Happy Birthday, Einstein!