Doggie Pupcakes, served with Yogurt-Peanut Butter Frosting

Einstein turned seven years old yesterday! Time is flying!

We feel like just yesterday he was turning one, and we're at the point where it’s hard to even remember life without our little buddy. He’s been by our 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 we're baking and lay at our 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 us and our 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 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. We couldn’t let his birthday pass by without whipping up a special treat for him to celebrate, just as we 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. We stirred together some from-scratch 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 rich 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 our 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

Yield: 6 pupcakes A special from-scratch treat for our buddy's 7th birthday!

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

• 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

Nutritional values are based on one serving

• Yield: 6 pupcakes
• Prep: 10 minutes
• Cook: 15 minutes
• Total: 25 minutes

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

Method

1. 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. 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. 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.