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Last week our furry buddy Max hit the big three, and I wanted to make it unforgettable. We always reach for this applesauce peanut butter cake when celebrating with our four-legged pals. The second that nutty smell starts wafting around the house, Max plants himself right by the oven, eagerly waiting. I guarantee your dog will do exactly the same thing.
The Treat Dogs Go Crazy For
Thanks to this recipe, all the neighborhood pups now think my kitchen is heaven. They simply can't resist that natural honey sweetness mixed with that mouth-watering peanut butter aroma. Our neighbor's tiny Yorkie Sophie goes just as nuts for it as our friend's massive German Shepherd. And you know what's great? It's incredibly easy to whip up - you'll end up making it for every canine celebration.
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Your Ingredients List
- Flour: ¾ cup all purpose nothing fancy just what I use for human treats too
- Baking Soda: ½ teaspoon gives it just enough lift
- Baking Powder: ¼ teaspoon for extra fluffiness
- Peanut Butter: 2 tablespoons always check there's no xylitol I stick with natural stuff
- Oil: 2 tablespoons canola works perfectly fine
- Applesauce: ¼ cup unsweetened keeps everything nice and juicy
- Egg: 1 large straight out of the refrigerator
- Honey: 2 tablespoons adds just enough sweetness
How To Make It
- Prep Work
- Heat your oven to 350°F. Grab a 6 inch round pan or small loaf tin and line it with parchment paper. Add a little cooking spray to make sure nothing gets stuck.
- Combine Everything
- Throw all dry ingredients in one bowl. In another, stir together all the wet stuff. Now pour them together and mix until well combined. Don't worry if the batter seems thick, that's exactly right.
- Baking Step
- Dump the mixture into your prepared pan and flatten the surface slightly. Let it bake around 20 to 30 minutes. You'll know it's finished when you stick a toothpick in and it comes out clean. Cool it down completely.
- Add Topping
- Beat some heavy cream until it forms soft peaks. Spread it all over your cooled cake. If you're saving it for later, store it in the refrigerator.
The Perfect Topping
Dogs just can't get enough of whipped cream. It's way simpler than fussing with complicated frostings and our furry friends actually prefer it anyway. I don't add any sugar since the cake already has plenty of sweetness for them. If your kitchen's warm, wait to add the cream until right before you serve it.
Dog-Friendly Ingredients
I'm always super careful to check my peanut butter doesn't contain xylitol since it can harm dogs. My veterinarian buddy helped me tweak this recipe to ensure it's totally safe for our furry companions. For dogs with special health needs, just make the portions smaller. My friend gives tiny pieces to her diabetic pup so he still feels included in the fun.
Storing Leftovers
You can keep the cake in your fridge for up to three days though at our place it vanishes much faster. Max gets a tiny slice daily as his special treat. When I bake for dog gatherings, I sometimes stick half in the freezer for later use just let it thaw overnight in the fridge when you want it. The whipped cream might look a bit sad after freezing but trust me, no dog has ever complained about that.
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Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Is any peanut butter okay for dogs?
- Stick with natural peanut butter that doesn’t have xylitol or fake sweeteners. Xylitol’s dangerous for pups, so reading the label is key.
- → How should I store this dog cake?
- Keep it in the fridge with a cover for up to three days. Whipped cream frosting needs to stay cold.
- → Can I make a different size cake?
- Absolutely! Make smaller cupcakes or go bigger with a large pan. Don’t forget to tweak the baking time.
- → Is this safe for all dogs?
- These ingredients are safe generally, but check with your vet if your pup has allergies or special needs. Every dog’s different.
- → Can I freeze the cake?
- Freeze the cake without frosting, then thaw and top with fresh whipped cream when ready to serve.