{Almost} Naked Cake for Dogs

Homemade Birthday Cake for Spoiled Dogs

If your first reaction to this post is, “She is doing the most with this one!” then you are absolutely right! But food, particularly the preparing and sharing of it, is my love language…and I LOVE my dog.

Kenzo came into my world last August in the midst of many changes in my life. A cross-country move to Portland offered an exciting new environment and great career opportunity, but fear, loneliness, uncertainty and depression were also tucked away in the moving boxes. In retrospect, bringing a totally dependent 8-week old being into such an emotionally charged space was probably not the wisest choice, but he came in anyway and rocked my world. I’m usually not one to shy away from a healthy challenge but this little bundle of fur was a handful! And of course I found out after the 3am potty training runs and the chewed up leather flats that Aussies are no one’s starter pup. But, you know what? He was also the source of so much joy in my life; I had never before experienced such pure, honest and devoted love. Through sick days and sad days, lonely days and longing days, he was right there with concerned eyes and comforting puppy kisses. He may never be able to comprehend it, but having him in my life may just as well have saved it. *tear*

And even though I was brought up in the old school of thought that the family dog belonged outside chowing on table scraps, I’ve finally come to terms with being one of those new-aged pet parents (you know the ones who refer to themselves as ‘parents’??) And because I’m okay with loving and spoiling my best friend, there was no doubt in my mind that I would make him a cake to celebrate his first birthday.

This treat is an actual, miniature, human-grade cake (I tasted it like I do all my food) simply made with wholesome, dog-safe ingredients. It’s free of refined sugars and incorporates safe, tasty fruits like banana and apple (and berries if you choose to garnish as I have). I have 4-inch mini cake pans in my kitchen arsenal which made for the perfect pup-sized layered cake.  While I would never compromise food safety for my buddy, I did have to take my baker’s hat off and realize that he knows nothing of cake moisture and texture, or icing smoothness and color, so don't dwell too much on perfection. I mean, this is a dog who joyfully feasts on tree bark and soil on the daily. I did, however, decide to go for the trendy naked cake look, which is very pretty but essentially just stopping at the easy crumb coat step if you’ve iced cakes in the past. This video has some great pointers if you want to try the naked (or semi-naked) look for this recipe, or a larger human varient.

So, what was the verdict? Well, my dog doesn’t have the most refined palate (he eats literal garbage), but he also loved his cake. He goes nuts for Greek yogurt and cream cheese, so the frosting had him licking his dish long after his slice was gone. And as I mentioned before, I definitely tried some of the freshly baked cake and it was reminiscent of a mild banana bread. Not too shabby!

Now, go be extra and bake a cake for your spoiled fur baby!

Recipe

{Almost} Naked Cake for Dogs

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{Almost} Naked Cake For Dogs

This easy cake recipe uses wholesome, natural, dog-safe ingredients to create a gourmet treat fit for your best friend.

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 25 mins

Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 medium ripe banana, mashed
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon molasses (or honey)

Instructions:

1. FOR THE CAKE: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Using coconut oil, grease the bottom and sides of three 4-inch cake pans and flour the pans; invert to remove the excess flour
2. Whisk flour and baking powder together in a bowl and set aside
3. Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle (or an electric mixer) beat together the banana, 2 tablespoons applesauce, and melted coconut oil until smooth, about 3 minutes; add egg and cinnamon and beat for an additional minute
4. Gradually fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients by hand. Divide the batter evenly (about 1/3 cup) between the prepared pans and bake for 20-25 minutes. Allow cakes to cool completely at room temperature
5. FOR THE FROSTING: Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle (or an electric mixer) cream together the cream cheese, 1/4 cup applesauce, Greek yogurt and molasses (or honey) until smooth; assemble and ice the cooled cake layers using a semi-naked cake method