The easiest dog birthday cake recipe (and the cutest) for your favorite canine companion. We promise your pup will love this cake made just for them. And for you, it doesn't even require a hand mixer, and you need just one 8-inch cake pan.
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After all, we are sort of known for our homemade dog treats around here. So let your furry friend know how much you love them on their birthday (or their gotcha day for all you awesome rescue dog parents!) by baking them this special treat.
It may be tempting to buy a dog cake but I promise this dog cake recipe is easy and more affordable. As you can see, our four-legged readers agree that homemade is best.
It is no secret we love our dogs around here. Whether I am fostering (15 dogs and counting!) or our own personal pups, I love to spoil them with doggie cupcakes and homemade dog treats.
And I know 100% you are no different. I mean, after all, you were looking to make your dog a birthday layer cake. We love this cake because you can make it as fancy or as simple as you want. It is simply the best dog birthday cake recipe around!
When you think of making cakes for people we want them to be light and airy. Sweet, full of flavor, and the perfect texture. But your best friend is a little different.
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📖Why My Recipe Works
- Many dogs have sensitive stomachs and they are 100% motivated based on smell. My recipe takes this into account. I selected flavors that are appealing to most dogs while using ingredients that shouldn't upset the most sensitive tummies. This dog treat is naturally gluten-free and has a dairy-free option.
- When making a cake for your pup's birthday we wanted to make it easy. This easy homemade dog cake doesn't use multiple cake pans to make a layer cake. Fewer dishes mean you can spend more time with your dog on their special day.
🧾Ingredient Notes
The most important thing when picking a dog cake recipe is ensuring it has healthy dog-safe ingredients, including the decorations.
- Oat Flour- Naturally gluten-free and easy to make at home from rolled oats if you don't want to buy oat flour.
- Baking Powder- Just a little bit of a leavening agent to give the cake a bit of a rise.
- Applesauce- Apples are great for dogs, so I used unsweetened applesauce to moisten this cake. You can also substitute canned pumpkin or sweet potato puree.
- Banana- This cake recipe calls for one mashed banana. Ripe bananas are easier to mash but any banana will do.
- Peanut Butter- You will need peanut butter for both the cake and the frosting. Donot substitute almond butter. Almond butter may cause intestinal distress in your dog, so I don't think it is worth the risk. And make sure your peanut butter is free of any artificial sweeteners.
- Coconut Oil- You can substitute high-quality vegetable oil.
- Plain Yogurt- Most dogs can tolerate dairy just fine. If your dog is lactose intolerant, you can substitute another mashed banana or pumpkin puree. It will be harder to decorate the cake beyond a typical frosting (i.e. pretty designs).
- Dry Dog Biscuits- These are just for decoration for your doggie layer cake and are optional. But if we are going to the trouble of baking our dog a birthday cake, you should make it cute, right?
⏲️ How to Make a Dog Cake
Prep the Pan
Brush your round cake pan with a little bit of coconut oil to prevent the cake from sticking.
Make the Cake Batter
If you got your food processor out to make the oat flour you can make the dog cake batter directly in the food processor (why dirty another bowl?). Otherwise, combine all the ingredients and mix until the batter is smooth.
No need to mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately.
Bake and Cool
Pour into the prepped pan and evenly smooth out the cake. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Rest your cake until completely cool.
Make the Frosting
Mix together the frosting ingredients until thoroughly combined. Keep in the fridge until you are ready to use.
Decorate the Cake
I cut the cake into quarters to make a single slice. But you can decorate it as a single layer, make it into cupcakes, or make a layer cake.
Frost each layer or the entire outside of the cake.
You can decorate the outside however you like. You can add a few dried dog biscuits, mini dog bones, dog safe sprinkles (aka bacon bits), or pipe-out decorations.
🎂How Much Birthday Cake Can My Dog Eat?
There are really two questions here. First, how much should you feed your dog based on their weight? And second, should you put the entire cake in front of them?
For my 22-pound dog, Fritz, I fed him ¼ of the cake in place of his dinner. Fritz absolutely loves this cake!
For safety, you need to decide if you can put the entire birthday cake in front of your dog.
Yes, it makes for super cute pictures but if your dog has ever shown signs of resource guarding or food aggression, it is best to serve only what you are comfortable with your dog eating at one time.
Also, check out a few smaller dog treats, our crispy dog breath mints and frozen blueberry treats are very popular!
🌡️Storing Leftovers
This dog cake recipe should be stored in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. Loosely cover with plastic wrap. Allow the cake to sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before the puppy party begins!
I hope your fur baby enjoys their birthday cake, and please share your pictures with me! You can email us or tag me on Instagram to show us your creation, and be sure to tell them I said "Happy Birthday!".
📖 Recipe Card
Dog Birthday Cake
Ingredients
Dog Cake Ingredients
- 1⅓ cup oat flour see post for how to make oat flour from oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup applesauce unsweetened
- ¼ cup peanut butter, all natural with no added sugar
- 1 banana, very ripe mashed
- 1 egg beaten
- ⅛ cup coconut oil melted, plus more for pan
Dog Frosting
- ½ cup greek yogurt
- ¼ cup peanut butter all natural with no added sugar
- dog biscuits for decoration
Instructions
Baking the Dog Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Brush melted coconut oil in an 8-inch pan to prevent sticking.⅛ cup coconut oil
- In a medium mixing bowl stir together all cake ingredients until batter is smooth. Pour batter into the greased pan and smooth out.1⅓ cup oat flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ cup applesauce, ¼ cup peanut butter,, 1 banana, very ripe, 1 egg, ⅛ cup coconut oil
- Bake for 25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. rest for 10 minutes before turning onto a cooling rack. Allow the cake to completely cool before frosting.
Frosting the Dog Cake
- While the cake is baking, combine yogurt and peanut butter in a small bowl. Stir until smooth. Keep in the refrigerator until ready for use.
- Once cooled, you can frost the top of the cake as is or cut the cake into 4 even triangles to make a layer cake "slice". Frost in between each layer and on top.½ cup greek yogurt, ¼ cup peanut butter
- Decorate with your pup's favorite dog biscuits.dog biscuits
Video
Notes
- The cake will last 4-5 days in the refrigerator, covered.
- Feed your dog a portion of the cake that is proportional to their size
- We love dogs! Send us a photo of your puppy pawty to jen@peelwithzeal.com or tag un Instagram!
Equipment
Nutrition
Common Recipe Questions
Can you make this cake in advance?
Yes, if you are planning a birthday party for your dog and want to make the cake in advance you can.
Simply make the cake according to the recipe and store it for 2 to 3 days in the fridge. The frosting can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge as well.
Frost the cake and decorate right before serving.
Can turn this dog cake into dog cupcakes?
Yes. Grease or line a cupcake tin. Fill to ¾ full and bake for 18 to 20 minutes at 350 F degrees.
Kristie says
This was a hit! Will be making again for my other 2 dogs! So easy and I know what is in it! Thank you!
Jen Wooster says
My dogs love this cake too! Getting photos of them with their birthday cakes is another story....
Adanna Burris says
Excellent recipe! Thanks much from Trinidad and Tobago 😁
Jen Wooster says
Awww thanks for the review for my dog cake. It is a puppytime favorite.
Cynthia says
My batter is no where near liquids.. its looks like there is too much dry ingredients and not enough liquids. I substituted organic coconut flour thats the only difference. I would imagine to use the same amount.. idk where I went wrong?!
Jen Wooster says
Coconut flour can't be substituted 1:1 it absorbs so much liquid.
D says
Can these be frozen please?
Jen Wooster says
The base cake can be wrapped and frozen. Do not freeze after putting the frosting on.
Sandee says
Yes, these can be frozen!
I made mini cupcakes and they froze very well.
I just nuked one in the microwave oven for about 25 seconds and they were like I had just baked them!
Also as a side note, I had added a 1/4 cup of pumpkin purée and the texture came out perfectly moist!
Kathlyn says
So just regular oat flour from the grocery store is grain free? Cause online it says oats contains grains. I’m so confused.
Jen Wooster says
The recipe says gluten free not grain free. Oats are a grain. If you are looking for a grain free dog treat try one of our dog popsicle recipes.
Karen says
Made a yummy birthday cake for Monty dog’s 2nd birthday! Shared with humans and a tiny bit for our 13-year-old Malti-poo too. Substituted coconut cream for the coconut oil in the cake - it turned out perfectly! And for the frosting we used coconut cream (non-dairy option instead of Greek yogurt) whipped with peanut butter. Thank you for the recipe 🦮🐩🐶
Jen Wooster says
Glad it was a hit!
Karli Plummer says
Can I use wheat flour?
Jen says
Yes. If your dog can tolerate it is totally fine.
Veronica says
My dog is allergic to oats. 🙁 what other flour would you suggest for her?
Jen says
You can use regular flour or a GF blend.
Sandy says
My cake did not rise. It turned out like a hard disc. What did I do wrong?
Jen says
Two things...
1) your baking powder might be stale. It loses efficacy as it sits.
2)even with fresh baking powder the cake will be heavier and denser than a cake for humans. Between the oat flour and the fact that we aren't creaming butter or adding whipped egg whites, it isn't meant to be light and airy.
So in reality- you probably didn't do anything wrong!
Jess says
What can I use in place of applesauce? Or can I leave it out? Thanks!
Jen says
Any mashed or pureed vegetable will work such as pureed sweet potatoes, bananas, canned pumpkin etc.
Anna says
Thank you for posting this recipe. I wanted to do something special for my 13 year old puppy. He loved the cake. Thanks again!
Jen says
So happy to hear. Waggle waggle.
Mojave says
The dogs, & people, loved this cake, & it's so easy to put altogether in the food processor . Thanks!
Jen says
Gland it was a hit!
Pallavi says
My dog is allergic to peanut butter. What can I use as a substitute for peanut butter?
Jen says
Oh no the poor pooch. We are working on a peanut-free dog cake. In the meantime, you can substitute sunflower seed butter. Most grocery chains carry it. Traders Joes too.
Diane says
Sun Butter or Wow Butter are good substitutes! My daughter is alergic to peanut butter and none of our dogs can have on their breath bc of this. We bought these 2 substitute items and they taste like on & she can be around us & the dogs can have it now too!
Jen says
Sunflower butters are a great option!
Dawn says
What would be cooking instructions for cupcakes.
Jen Wooster says
Similar to this. 350 F degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. https://www.peelwithzeal.com/pumpkin-pupcakes-peanut-butter-frosting/
Lauren says
Made for my dog's birthday and he absolutely loved this cake. It made for cute photos too.