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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
Ingredients
- 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.2 cups (224 g) chickpea/garbanzo bean flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda
- In a medium bowl, stir together peanut butter, honey, coconut oil, eggs, and water.1/2 cup (129 g) natural creamy peanut butter, 3 tablespoons honey, 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup (118 ml) water
- Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients bowl and stir until everything is incorporated. Gently fold in the shredded apples.1 cup (125 g) shredded apples (about 1 large apple, peeled)
- 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.1/2 cup (100 g) plain Greek yogurt, 3 tablespoons natural creamy peanut butter
- 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!
Notes
Nutrition
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Does the cake by itself need to be refrigerated? I’m making it the day before. I won’t frost it until the day of though.
Just to be safe, I’d refrigerate it and then bring it out to room temperature the day of!
Thanks for the wonderful recipe! My boy Jacques Pierre’s birthday is in just a few days and he is a grain free boy. We are excited to be able to make him a real cake! THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!
I love your article and our dog loves this cake!!! OMG!!! Thank you so much for sharing it, it was a total success last night!
Aww thank you!! So glad you made it!
This recipe looks delicious! If we wanted to use a traditional cake pan, would it still work? Do you think the baking directions would be any different?
Yes, it should still work but you might have a thinner cake. I don’t know what cooking time would be since I didn’t test it to be used for a traditional cake pan.
I was moved when I read your post. Especially when you said ” 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” I too love my puppy so much and tomorrow is his 2nd Bday! I am going to make this delicious cake for him. Thank you for the recipe. He likes bananas more…so I am going to substitute the apples. CHEERS!
Awww!! So sweet!!! Happy happy birthday to your puppy!!
I’m going to try this recipe and make it for Toby’s 3rd birthday next month. Toby is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the love of my life.
Toby and I are very connected and I understand the unconditional love and bond between dog and owner. He is always there for me, never judges, doesn’t care if my hair is standing straight up, or if I’m wearing sweats or no makeup. I just can’t say enough about how amazing my sweet boy is.
I love dogs :) they’re simply the best! Happy birthday to Toby next month!
Is the batter liquid or chunky just because my batter was chunky and was falling apart a little.
definitely not supposed to be chunky. the batter is supposed to be like cake batter – not terribly thick but not super thin liquid. i’m going to guess yours was chunky because one of two things: it wasn’t thoroughly mixed enough to break up the chunks of flour or peanut butter…or the coconut oil hardened a bit in the batter when you added eggs from the fridge. if that’s the case, heating up the batter in the microwave for 10 second intervals will help. hope that helps!
Omg, this cake was fantastic! I just finished making it for my pugs’ birthday and they LOVED it! And it was so easy to make. Thank you for this great grain-free dog cake recipe!
Julie,
Thanks for the doggie birthday cake recipe. Our adopted rescue dog’s birthday is 2 days after mine. It didn’t seem right that I had a bd cake but not Lucy. Next year I’ll be sure to make it for her.
Winston is almost as cute as Lucy!
Awww that doggie is such a cutie! We have had our Forest just over a year and I feel the same way. I love him so much! He is my fur baby and I wish I could bring him everywhere.
Thank you! We wish we could bring ours everywhere too :)