Happy Birthday, Darwin!
I said I’d never be a helicopter mom. But the first six dozen times you went to puppy play time, I fretted on the sidelines and hovered always within reach, should I need to pull another dog off of you.
We said we’d never allow dogs in the bed. Last night I fell asleep with your comforting weight squeezed between David’s and my hips and your head resting on my shin.
I said I’d never be insane enough to actually prepare meals for a dog. There I was on Thanksgiving, mixing a bowl of roast turkey, boiled potatoes, and green beans for your holiday dinner. And here I am making grain-free pupcakes because I could never let your birthday pass unmarked.
I said I’d never have just one dog–that I would have two or three or maybe even four. But you take up so much of my love and give so much in return and I love spoiling you so that I question the need for any other pup.
I never thought twice about the fact that some businesses, some hotels, and airlines don’t allow non-service dogs. Now I dream of starting my own airline company just so I’d never be without you again.
I thought nothing could ever motivate me to get out and move more than the idea of justifying my cookie dough, later. Now, I climb mountains and go paddle boarding and running at the dog park for you almost as much as I do for me.
We said we’d never allow dogs on the furniture. When I get home every day from work, the first thing I do is sit on the couch so you can crawl into my lap for snuggles. (Hate to break it to you bud, but you surpassed lap-dog status 50 pounds ago.)
Thank you, dear fluffernutter, for the snuggles and the kisses and teaching me so much.
Grain-Free Apple Peanut Butter Pupcakes
Pupcakes are the best! You don’t have to worry about getting the sweetness just right or the texture any certain way. Your dog is going to wolf the pupcake down in 2.4 seconds anyway. Darwin’s best friend in the world is Boo Bear. And Boo Bear has . . . a sensitive tummy. But we can’t have a birthday celebration without giving Boo one, too?!?!?!?!
(I can’t even give Darwin a treat without grabbing something that is allergy-friendly for Boo. Don’t look at me like that–I know they’re dogs. But I have to be FAIR.)
These pupcakes are only four ingredients and have cut out a lot of the ingredients that commonly cause tummy issues. (E.g., grains, chicken, milk, or soy.) But these pupcakes DO have peanut butter. Even in a dead sleep, Darwin can tell when I’ve opened up the jar of peanut butter. I’ll even be super sneaky quiet about opening up the door of the refrigerator and unscrewing the jar. But SERIOUSLY, guys. That jar is open for less than 30 seconds and he pops into the kitchen at a dead run.
And the potential for fun whisker-covered frosting on these pupcakes are endless! Think about trying…
- more peanut butter
- pureed pumpkin
- plain greek yogurt
- applesauce mixed with peanut butter
- mashed potatoes
Don’t forget the sprinkles!!!
- crushed dried banana chips (no other ingredients–banana only)
- blueberries
- peas
- crushed kibble or dog treats
mikaela | wyldflour
5-6 Pupcakes (depending on how big your apple is)
10 minPrep Time
20 minCook Time
30 minTotal Time
Save Recipe5 based on 3 review(s)
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons all-natural peanut butter (aka 6 Tablespoons)
- 1 apple (I used red delicious)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- pumpkin puree
- peanut butter (you can thin this using applesauce if needed)
- plain greek yogurt
- frozen or fresh peas
- frozen or fresh blueberries
- crushed banana chips
- crushed kibble or dog treats
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Finely chop apple, removing core and seeds, and set aside.
- Beat eggs and peanut butter together until smooth. Mix in chopped apple and baking powder.
- Line a cupcake tin with cupcake liners. Scoop apple mixture into 5-6 of the cupcake holes, filling almost to the top. (They will rise a little bit, but hold their shape quite well.) Bake pupcakes for 20 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow the pupcakes to cool in the tin on a wire rack.
- Whip up some frosting and top your pupcake with frosting and "sprinkles" right before serving! Darwin's favorite is a mixture of greek yogurt and peanut butter or swirling frozen blueberries into the greek yogurt!
- (You can stash any extra pupcakes in the freezer to save for the future and thaw them out when the pup is ready!)
Notes
Don't forget to remove the cupcake liner before serving the pupcake!
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