Carob “Pupcakes” (Recipe for Healthy Dog-Friendly Cupcakes)

I kind of love dog stuff that looks like human stuff.

I’m talking squeaky dog toy that looks like a pair of earmuffs, sweatshirt complete with pouch pocket and hood — and food that looks like it should be on my plate and not in my dog’s bowl.

That’s why I was eager to give this “pupcake” recipe a try since the sample photos looked like something I’d pick up for myself at the bakery.

Dr. Judy Morgan, DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT, who reviewed this recipe for Petful, says, “Carob contains a variety of healthy nutrients such as Vitamins A, B and D, as well as calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium and protein.”

She adds: “It’s also a good source of fiber and pectin — both of which are good for gut health.”

Carob Pupcakes Recipe

Ingredients

Pupcakes:

• 2 tablespoons carob powder
• ½ cup flour*
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ⅓ cup coconut oil, melted
• ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 egg

*Coconut, sorghum, almond or rice flour would be preferable to a wheat flour.

Frosting (optional):

• 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
• 1½ tablespoons almond butter or sunflower butter (organic, non-GMO)

Directions

1. Heat your oven to 350 F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
3. In another medium bowl, whisk together the coconut oil, yogurt and egg.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and combine.
5. Scoop the pupcake batter into a nonstick or lined muffin pan.
6. Bake standard-size pupcakes for 20 minutes or mini pupcakes for 12 minutes.
7. While the pupcakes bake, mix together the frosting ingredients until well combined. Spoon the frosting into a sandwich bag and cut one corner off.
8. After the pupcakes have completely cooled, pipe the frosting on top.
9. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

When I’m cooking for myself, I’ve found that carob is a lot like cocoa powder — it smells divine when it’s baking, but if you don’t add sugar to the recipe, the flavor is a little flat.

Since there’s nothing sweet in these doggie cupcakes to help the carob powder, I didn’t personally give them a taste, despite how wonderful my kitchen smelled.

My dog, Banjo, on the other hand? Well, she couldn’t get enough!

This carob pupcakes recipe is a big success as far as she’s concerned.

Adapted from: Pretty Fluffy.

This pet treat recipe was reviewed by a veterinarian, Dr. Judy Morgan, DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT, and is safe for dogs in moderation, but is not a substitute for a complete balanced diet. This recipe was last reviewed and updated Feb. 22, 2019. Dr. Morgan operates 2 award-winning veterinary hospitals in New Jersey that offer an integrative approach to pet care. With a passion for healing her patients with whole foods, she has written several books on holistic pet care — including Yin & Yang Nutrition for Dogs, a holistic cookbook for pets.