Doggie Pupcakes with Yogurt-Peanut Butter Frosting {Happy 7th Birthday, Einstein!}
Einstein turned seven years old yesterday! Time is flying!
I feel like just yesterday he was turning one, and I’m at the point where it’s hard to even remember life without my little buddy. He’s been by my side for seven years (minus six weeks)… he’s gone from insane puppy to energetic toddler, and has settled rather comfortably into life as a content, playful adult who still loves life. He loves to wander into the kitchen when I’m baking and lay at my feet, waiting for it to rain crumbs and sugar.
Einstein has been such an awesome trooper this year. He moved into a new house with me and my Chief Culinary Consultant, and then we threw little brother Duke into the mix. He’s taken it all in stride, just happy to be hanging out with us every day.
He’s especially patient with Duke, who still tugs mercilessly on his tail and his ears. Einstein waits until he’s absolutely reached his breaking point before he grumbles loudly and lets Duke know that enough is enough.
Einstein really is such a phenomenal dog; he has such an expressive personality and a wonderful disposition. He rolls with the punches, senses when people are upset, and just loves to be wherever you are. I couldn’t let his birthday pass by without whipping up a special treat for him to celebrate, just as I have in years past. (Archives: 1st Birthday, 3rd Birthday, 4th Birthday, 5th Birthday and 6th Birthday)
These cupcakes are full of good-for-you ingredients and can be mixed together in less than 10 minutes. I stirred together some homemade peanut butter and Greek yogurt for a frosting and slathered it on.
Einstein sat so patiently while we lit his candle and wished a happy birthday and maaaaaaany more…
He then wasted no time sitting straight up and offering his paw in exchange for delicious birthday treats, and then looking for more. He was then tortured by having to watch Duke eat one as well, and spent the next hour staring at the counter and whining for more.
Einstein had a fabulous, pampered birthday. Here’s to many, many more birthday celebrations with my buddy!
One year ago: Snickers Rice Krispies Treats
Two years ago: Beef and Cheddar Dog Biscuits
Three years ago: Cashew Chicken
Four years ago: Chocolate-Chocolate Chunk Muffins
Doggie Pupcakes with Peanut Butter-Yogurt Frosting
Ingredients
For the Pupcakes:
- ½ cup (60 g) whole wheat flour, can substitute other if wheat sensitive
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ⅓ cup (72.67 ml) vegetable oil
- ⅓ cup (81.33 ml) unsweetened applesauce
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons honey
For the Frosting:
- 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 1.5 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 6 wells of a standard muffin tin with paper liners, or spray with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.
- 2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Add the vegetable oil, applesauce, egg and honey, and whisk gently to combine. Divide the batter between the prepared muffin cups and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 10 to 15 minutes. All the pupcakes to cool completely before frosting and serving.
- 3. To make the frosting, stir together the yogurt and peanut butter, then spread on top of each pupcake before serving. The pupcakes can be kept for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Anyone making this recipe or others with peanut butter, please make sure your peanut butter doesn’t contain Xylitol!
‘Xylitol, a sweetener used in many foods, including peanut butter, yogurt, toothpaste and chewing gum, is safe for humans but potentially deadly for dogs. If ingested, it can cause seizures, liver failure and death, warned one animal hospital, which called xylitol “extremely toxic” to dogs’
Einstein and Duke are both beautiful Golden’s. They are lucky dogs and you are lucky to have them to love. Dogs are great aren’t they!
Your recipes are super by the way. lol
I hope this comes out right without the applesauce… ): It’s my doggys 6th. birthday tomorrow, on April fools day. lololol Im serious by the way. We’ll see!!
Hi,
Is there an alternative for the apple sauce? I can’t seem to find it in my grocery
Thanks,
Ayana
Hi Ayana, You could use mashed banana!
Cute I can eat them too!
Happy Belated Birthday Einstein! I just made these for my pup’s 1st birthday and found them to be wayyyyyy too oily and heavy…a word of caution for anyone making them in the future — you can probably cut the amount of oil in half!
She’s so excited she hit “submit comment” on the touch screen with her nose…anyway- this recipe is easily shared and just what I was looking for! So thank you!
Thank you for this recipe. My golden, Jaxii, is turning three in a few days, but this year the cake had to be gluten free to she could share with her golden buddy, Sadie. This is easily shared and ju
Are these safe for dogs :O? You mean it? :D ‘cauce i have a beautiful basset hound who is always waiting something falls from my hands in the kitchen… I would be so happy to make this for him :) !!
Hello,
The cake looks great! Can I substitute the egg? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Hi Anna, Here are some options:
another ⅓ cup of applesauce
another ¼ cup of vegetable oil
½ of a banana, mashed
Is there any substitute for applesauce ?
Happy birthday Einstein! I don’t have applesauce. What should I do? Is it okay if i omit it from the recipe?
Hi Rachel, You won’t be able to omit it, as it provides moisture for the cupcakes.
Hi Kat, I think they would freeze just fine. Happy birthday to your pup!
Happy birthday to your little guy! Einstein is the same way – just turned 7 and is getting a little white around the face, but still acts like a pup and will inhale everything in sight
Judging by the ingredients, I think I could enjoy these as well as my dog. My spoiled Golden, Bailey, would be even more so if I made these just for him. I can just see his “Nyah, nyah, nyah” to the other dogs. Might just have to risk it, as I am never alone in the kitchen when I cook. I’m going to share this recipe with my pals at the local Humane Society. And a belated “Happy Birthday” to Einstein!
What a great recipe idea! Our rough collie’s 5th birthday is coming up in April, and the recipe seems easy enough that my young daughter could help bake them as a birthday treat. Can the pupcakes, with icing, be frozen and thawed out for future treats?
Hi Kat, I think they would freeze just fine. Happy birthday to your pup! :)
I made these last night for my dog’s birthday and he loved them! He’s a chocolate lab and he turned 7 yesterday. When I handed him his pupcake he swallowed it whole! Geez! Although he’s 7 and getting gray hair, some things never change–he will always eat with reckless abandon. Thanks from both of us for sharing this recipe!
Happy birthday to your little guy! Einstein is the same way – just turned 7 and is getting a little white around the face, but still acts like a pup and will inhale everything in sight :)
I am planning a first birthday for my Ruby Tuesday.I will try these cupcakes and the kids can eat them too!
Happy Birthday to Einstein! Both dogs are SO cute. My dog LOVES these pupcakes.
Happy birthday to Einstein! Glad to hear he has calmed down, as my golden, not yet 2, is still pretty wired! Hopefully, she will calm down soon!
I am SO incredibly happy for you and your new husband, Einstein and Duke. What a WONDERFUL “golden” family. You getting Duke this past year and seeing how well Einstein adapted to the new family member has given me the confidence to SERIOUSLY consider getting a “sister” for my golden Lucy. I’ve written to you about Lucy before. Lucy turned 7 this past May. I would just LOVE to find one of Lucy’s litter which were born on May 3, 2006. She also is so much of an amazing dog I don’t think anyone but another golden owner would ever understand. Their intelligence and sensitivity and understanding of the humans around them is just so incredibly amazing. My mother, the woman who would NEVER allow us to have a dog when we were kids is so besotted with Lucy its disgusting. Lucy has SLEEPOVERS with my mother. Now how crazy is that! She is so amazed and astounded by the same things as we are with her she can’t believe it. I don’t think either one of my parents ever dreamed a dog could be like this. However, as I tell people, they do NOT arrive like this at 8 weeks old when we get them as puppies. Also, Lucy has been around me or with me basically 24/7 since the day I brought her home. I waited until I “retired” from my full time job and went to work for the family when she could be with me. It makes a BIG difference in a dog in many ways. (Lucy must know I’m writing about her as she just jumped up and came over and “asked” to be allowed up on the sofa with me. Yes folks, my dog asks permission before she does many things. She has better manners than many children and even adults I know). I hope 2014 is even more wonderful than the past year has been for your gang and hope and pray both of us will have our very special goldens for quite a few years to come.
Aww, I love this! My grandma was always “no dogs” and by the last few years of her life, she was infatuated with Einstein. You are right – they just KNOW how we feel, so in tune. They’re wonderful, wonderful animals.
Your dogs are so beautiful! I love reading about them and seeing their pictures. As a fellow dog lover, I enjoy that you include them in your cooking/baking blog! I am so making birthday treats from your website for my canine buddies when their next birthdays roll around.
Einstein and Duke are too cute!!!
Awww happy birthday, Einstein!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EINSTEIN!!! The most beautiful and adorable dogs!!! They must be fun to snuggle up to!
I always melt with stories about Einstein (and now Duke, of course). I look forward to opening my mail on Fridays to see their pictures and read what’s new with them. Very happy birthday Einstein! May you have a great year full of treats and lots of love!
So sweet happy b-day Einstein and many more!
Happy birthday to lovely, loyal, handsome Einstein!
Einstein is such a good big brother! Sharing with a little brother is never a favorite thing to do, but he is willing to do it! Love your dogs! Happy Birthdog to your Einstein.
Great recipe!
UHG. They are seriously so cute it hurts. Happy Birthday Einstein!!
I just love reading about Einstein and Duke. Both were such cute puppies and now they are beautiful dogs. Just gorgeous! I just want to warn you about those rawhide treats. Our daughter’s dog got one stuck in this throat and they couldn’t get it out in time. I don’t feed out dogs rawhide any more. Just a warning. We have had a Schnoodle (beautiful mid-sized schnauzer/poodle and she was so sweet), 2 Old English Sheepdogs (Daisy Mae and Lily Beth), plus we have 2 more Old English Sheepdogs (Rosebud {my angel who watches over me} and a rescue male named Wizard. The two little boys who’d owned him named him and he was so cute, I didn’t have the heart to change his name. I’d also suggest that you check out Break-Away collars for your furballs. Here’s information on them:
Patented KeepSafe Break-Away design ensures the safety of your dog
Durable nylon webbing collar and DuPont nylon polymer buckle
Designed to release due to pressure from various directions
Can be used as a secure walking collar by simply attaching leash to 2 D rings
Measures 1 inch wide and fits necks 14 inches to 20 inches around
Perfect for playful dogs!
Prevent strangulation accidents.
I don’t know if you keep their collars on all the time or not but we don’t and these are super to have and use. They’re great. Our two have them.
Wishing you and your hubbie and two furballs a wonderful New Year and please continue giving us updates on Einstein and Duke.
Totally agree about the raw hide bones; almost lost Bojandles, my Beagle, because of a raw hide bone. Thanksfully I went out to the garabe and discoverd him almost gone as it had lodged between his teeth and down his throat. It took me awhile but I finally dislodged it. He lived but was exhausted. Thanks for bringing this to everyone’s attention. No more buying these bones.
I’m going to check out the collar :) Sounds interesting. My Dad was taking our Golden out on a leash to go ‘potty’ and she was ninja attacked by a German shepherd from up the road. Hard time getting her inside- now she is afraid of her own shadow.
The rawhide chews-YOU ARE RIGHT.. it happened to my old dog. My mother had to pull it from her mouth. Now only aggressive chew toys!
Happy Birthday, Einstein!!!!
Ah so sweet! I love that you love your Goldens so much. Makes me miss mine more and more.
Happy Birthday E!
♫♫♫ Happy Birthday Mr. Einstein…wishing you many more. Bella, my Goldie, also sends her best. She will turn 5 years old this April and will be served these treats.
Love this post & your blog & photos of Einstein & Duke! Happy 7th to Einstein!! I just got back from a run with our Golden, Bella! I was looking at her cute, progressively “greying” face as we were running & had the exact thoughts as you as I did & re-did the math in my head in disbelief of how old she will be in a couple of months… Like Einstein, Bella will turn 7 soon!! The time passes too quickly & they just grow more loyal & sweeter! It’s hard to fathom that they were just puppies yesterday & now they’ve likely lived over 1/2 their lives. Too fast! I will have to make these pupcakes in celebration of Bella’s 7th bday too… Or maybe sooner just to celebrate the wonderful doggy she is!
Happy Birthday, Einstein! My dog turns 7 this month as well. I think your “pupcakes” will be a hit! :D Thanks!
Happy Birthday Einstein!!! I love your posts with the pups! Your pictures are amazing and their faces… makes me want to hug them!!!
Aww, Happy Birthday, Einstein!
These cupcakes look fabulous – I can’t wait to make them for my little pup too! Thanks for sharing such a great recipe! :)
xo
Happy Birthday Einstein!! Im sure my dog (Amber) would love these too!!
Thank you for sharing Einstein’s life story with us and showing us the pictures along the way. It looks like he had a great day.
We certainly grow to rely on our pets sometimes more than we realize. I don’t know where we’d be without our Ruby. We don’t have human kids so she’s it for us. She’s been a huge rock for me personally as I dealt with losing my parents 11 days apart almost 3 years ago. She knew exactly what we were all feeling and came to me at a particulary low point and started licking my tears. When you see those tails wag or butts wiggle, there is nothing like that feeling. So unconditional. :) I cannot wait to make these for her to thank her for being so good to us.
Happy Birthday Einstein!
Thank God for Goldens, is all I can say! Happy Birthday, Einstein! Love the pictures! You are blessed to have each other.
I’m laughing because your post made me cry – I absolutely love both of your dogs and would do exactly the things you do ha ha. We are waiting until we move into our new home to get a dog, but I am counting down the days. I just love your boys and feel happy for them to have such a great mom!
Happy B-day Einstein! What a wonderful dog! I love every picture you put of them in the blog!… My dog is a golden retriever too, but red, I try this treats for him! Thank you.
Happy birthday, Einstein! I LOVED looking at his puppy pictures and his previous birthday celebrations – he is a lucky, loved guy! Thanks again for sharing your life!
He is such a sweetheart! Happy Birthday, Einstein!
Happy Birthday Einstein!
My new little pup will love these on his birthday. I may try this with a mini muffin pan. My guy is barely 20 pounds and would gobble these up. Love your blog! I happened upon it when looking for a recipe for chocolate cupcakes. So glad I found it!
Thanks!!!
Happy Birthday to Einstein!
I make a meatloaf birthday cake and frost it with cream cheese for my pups’ birthdays- perhaps this year I will make our pupcakes instead! My girls love peanut butter!
Happy Birthday Einstein! I can’t stop looking at all the gorgeous photographs of you and your little brother Duke!
The bakery in town makes pup cakes real similar to these. Now I won’t have to buy them!! Thank you for the post and happy birthday Einstein!
Aww, Einstein! What a cutie loving his birthday treat. I think it’s great that you have a celebration each year for Einstein’s birthday. I do the same for my two labs, who will be 4 in April. I can’t believe it!! They will be enjoying these pupcakes on their special day. Thanks for sharing! I love seeing the updates about your sweet pups.
I love the way you never miss a celebration without making it special. Happy Birthday to Einstein.
Always enjoy your commentary and photos. Do you have an idea of calories per pupcake? My Maltese moli would love these, but she’s trying to take off her holiday pound. Thank you!
Hi Paula, I do not know what the nutritional information is for these cupcakes. I imagine you could find an online calculator where you could input the ingredients, how many servings, etc. and it could give you the information.
Ahhhhhhh, your post gave me tears! Einstein is such a wonderful dog. I guess until you think about it, you don’t realize all the things we put our dogs through. This was a big year for your boy! Give him a big hug from me! “Happy Birthday Einstein!!!”
Oh the picture with him and the 7 year old candle is too sweet for words. I’m going to try these puppycakes for my Ginny dog. She will love them. Will have to change up the frosting since she can’t have peanut butter. Tell Einstein, Happy Birthday from us :)
I am so in love with the fact that you made “pupcakes!!!” Not only is that just about the cutest thing that I have ever heard….my puppy is going to LOVE these! She just turned 1 and these look perfect for her!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EINSTEIN!!
“Pupcakes”! :D
Happy Birthday, Einstein! What a sweet guy!
And who is that young man beside him, I can’t believe how grown up Duke looks!
Happy Birthday Einstein !! I’m so glad to see others celebrate their dog’s B-Day. Some people find it weird, but I think they are weird not too have a little celebration.
My golden loves people, treats (food) and attention. She has strange quirks / talents like she has to lick out all yogurt containers, eats baby carrots for her lunch, has to go the BR with you and knows the ‘names’ of all her toys. People that don’t have dogs are missing out.
What a cute pup! Our old golden retriever was the most patient guy ever with our crazy springer spaniel, but he too would reach his breaking point. never barked, never growled, but he would curl his lips up and “give him the teeth” to tell him to back the eff off…
We always do extra chicken and a frosty paws for pup celebrations, i guess if I can eat cleanly so should my pup. Happy birthday, Einstein!