If you know me at all, you know I LOVE MY DOG! Henry is a precious English Springer Spaniel who turns 1 today! It seems like yesterday that I brought this little furry guy home. Now he’s growing up (tear…). Anyway, I HAD to celebrate being a party blogger and all but only a few days in town this week left me without time to throw a traditional “paw-ty” full of all the touches so I’m opting for simple “pupcakes” instead. Watch out though because Henry is getting the world’s best 2nd birthday party next year.

PUPCAKES RECIPE

Makes 6 pupcakes

1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 c plain yogurt
2 1/2 tablespoons safflower oil
2 tbsp honey
1 large egg
1/2 apple, chopped
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/4 cup diced carrot

Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons peanut butter

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tins with 6 paper liners. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and soda. In a medium bowl, blend together the yogurt,, oil, honey and eggs, then stir in the apple, cheese, and carrots. Add to the flour mixture and stir just until mixed (will be slightly lumpy).

Spoon the batter into the muffin tins, filling each cup about 3/4 full. Bake in the preheated oven about 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a pupcake comes out clean. Let the pupcakes cool in the tins on a rack for a few mintues, then remove and set aside to cool completely.

“Can I have one now, Mom?!”

“What do you mean I can’t have my birthday pupcake, yet?”

Beat the cream cheese mixture with a whisk attachment for about 2 minutes to start the frosting. Add in honey and peanut butter and beat for 2 additional minutes. Once cupcakes are cooled, pipe or spread frosting on top! Enjoy!

“Mom, this frosting is totally amazing! You should write a book on frosting!” (hint hint)

After birthday pupcakes, a sprawled-out nap is totally required….

If you love baking for your puppy dogs, then I highly recommend The Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook: Over 100 “Tail Wagging” Recipes, it was given to me as a gift and it’s full of the most adorably named little treats (all perfectly safe for Fido).

Disclaimer: Do not feed a cupcake to your dog every day. Save these guys for special occasions (like puppy pawties)!