Grain-Free Dog Birthday Cake (Happy 1st Birthday, Winston!)

If there’s any kind of person I never thought I would be, it would definitely be “that dog mom.” (If you are already rolling your eyes, you probably shouldn’t read the rest of this post.)

Honestly, I never thought I’d love a dog more than life. I never understood the whole “dog love” or unconditional love because I didn’t grow up with any sort of pet. I think I surprised everyone around me with how much I love Winston. Jason is the most surprised because it took him three years of convincing me to finally let us get a dog!

So when you see a photo like this, YOU KNOW I’M OBSESSED WITH MY DOG.

The love I have for Winston is something totally indescribable. My whole world just lights up and my heart kind of aches because I love him so much it hurts. Winston is our world and we are his world. I can’t even formulate into words the love we have for him so this whole post is kind of pointless.

There are so many little key phrases we say to him that’s like our little family language and he totally gets it because his big pointy radar ears perk up when we say those key words. He does so many cute things that it’s hard to ever truly be mad at him. My phone is now filled to the max with photos and videos of him. Prior to him, it was all food and now he’s like 100% majority of our lives.

I never thought it would pain me to travel or be away from him for an extended period of time, because after all, everyone says, “he’s just a dog.” I hate when people say that. Just a dog doesn’t even describe him. It’s like downplaying someone’s love for a family member and yes, dogs are part of the family.

Prior to Winston, we were never outdoors as often as we are now. We specifically go on dog-friendly outings every weekend so Winston doesn’t get “bored” of just sitting at home.

Car rides. Oh so many car rides. His entire face lights up when we say that word and his little butt and little nub of a tail wiggles with excitement.

Walks? He’s not much of a fan!

He loves other dogs even if they don’t love him. Whenever he gets excited and sees another potential play friend, his entire butt wiggles and his little nub of a tail doesn’t stop wagging.

His one annoyance: chuffing and barking at every little noise. We know it’s because he’s an alert dog but it does get super annoying at times :)

I love the way his paws twitch when he is in a deep sleep.

And finally, his main goal in life is to love and be loved. And oh how he is so so loved!

He is literally my favorite part of my day. Waking up in the morning knowing I get to see him and cuddle with him before we head downstairs to start our day will always be my favorite.

He is so ridiculously spoiled but I won’t have it any other way.

It still pains me to think that a year has already gone by already. Time, please slow down so we can have more time with our little guy.

Here’s to many more silly and rambunctious years! Happy first birthday, Winston!!!

So yeah, I made a grain-free dog birthday cake for Winston. I HAD TO! What kind of food blogger would I be if I didn’t?!

Grain-Free Dog Birthday Cake

Make a grain-free dog cake for your furry family member!

5 from 4 votes

Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 mini dog cake

Author: Julie Chiou

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Ingredients 

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• ▢ 2 cups (224 g) chickpea/garbanzo bean flour
• ▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ ½ cup (129 g) natural creamy peanut butter, stir to incorporate any oil on top
• ▢ 3 tablespoons honey
• ▢ 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil
• ▢ 2 large eggs
• ▢ ½ cup (118 ml) water
• ▢ 1 cup (125 g) shredded apples (about 1 large apple, peeled)

For the frosting

• ▢ ½ cup (100 g) plain Greek yogurt
• ▢ 3 tablespoons natural creamy peanut butter

Instructions 

• Preheat oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Heavily grease the insides of two 16-ounce oven-safe ramekins with melted coconut oil. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour and baking soda.
• In a medium bowl, stir together peanut butter, honey, coconut oil, eggs, and water.
• Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients bowl and stir until everything is incorporated. Gently fold in the shredded apples.
• Divide the batter evenly amongst the prepared ramekin dishes.
• Place ramekins on a baking sheet then bake uncovered for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• In the meantime, stir together the ingredients for the frosting in a small bowl and set aside.
• Once done baking, let cakes cool completely then using a sharp knife, run it around the edges of the cake then invert.
• Slice cakes in half horizontally. Alternate frosting layers then gently frost the outside of the cake.
• Serve to your sweet puppy!

Recipe Notes

Adapted from A Cozy Kitchen

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