You planned a birthday party for your dog. And now you need a cake that won’t send you straight to the emergency vet.
That’s where this recipe comes in.
This dog cake is made with simple, dog-safe ingredients like peanut butter, banana, and oat flour. No sugar. No chocolate. No xylitol (a sweetener found in many “sugar-free” products that is extremely toxic to dogs). Just real food that your pup will absolutely lose their mind over.
And the best part for you? It takes less than an hour start to finish, and you probably already have most of what you need in your kitchen.
Fair warning though: this cake smells so good coming out of the oven that you might be tempted to eat a slice yourself. (Spoiler: it’s surprisingly edible for humans too, but let’s keep that between us and make the cake for the dog.)
What You’ll Need
For the Cake
- 1 cup oat flour (or blended rolled oats)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup natural peanut butter (xylitol-free, always check the label)
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for dogs over 1 year old)
For the “Frosting”
- 1/2 cup plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
For Topping (All Optional)
- Dog-safe treats for decoration
- Shredded carrots
- Blueberries
- A single dog biscuit for the “candle”
Tools You’ll Need
- 6-inch round cake pan (or a muffin tin for individual pupcakes)
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Electric hand mixer or fork
- Parchment paper
- Wire cooling rack
- Offset spatula or butter knife (for frosting)
- Measuring cups and spoons
Pro Tips
These are the things I wish someone had told me before making this the first time.
- Always read your peanut butter label. Xylitol hides in a lot of “natural” or “reduced sugar” peanut butter brands. Brands like Skippy Natural, Jif Natural, and Justin’s are typically xylitol-free, but always double-check the ingredient list before using.
- Don’t skip the cooling step. Frosting a warm cake = a melted, sliding mess. Give it at least 30 minutes on a wire rack, or pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes if you’re impatient.
- Use overripe bananas. The spottier the better. They’re sweeter, softer, and mix into the batter way more easily than firm bananas.
- Make it a smaller cake. A 6-inch cake is plenty for a dog (plus it looks adorable). If you have a small dog, consider making cupcakes instead so you can freeze the extras.
- Taste the batter. Seriously. It’s dog food made from real ingredients, and it’s actually pretty good. If you think it smells good raw, wait until it’s baked.
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 6-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with a circle of parchment paper. Set aside.
Step 1: Mash the bananas. In a large mixing bowl, mash both ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. A few small lumps are totally fine.
Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients. Add the eggs, peanut butter, applesauce, Greek yogurt, and honey (if using) to the mashed banana. Whisk everything together until well combined.
Step 3: Add the dry ingredients. Add the oat flour and baking powder to the wet mixture. Fold everything together with a rubber spatula until just combined. Don’t overmix or the cake will turn out dense.
Step 4: Bake. Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 5: Cool completely. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then turn it out onto a wire cooling rack and let it cool for at least another 30 minutes before frosting.
Step 6: Make the frosting. In a small bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, peanut butter, and honey (if using) until smooth. If the frosting is too thick, add a teaspoon of water at a time until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
Step 7: Frost and decorate. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake using an offset spatula or butter knife. Top with blueberries, shredded carrots, dog treats, or a single dog biscuit in the center as a stand-in for a candle.
Serve immediately, or refrigerate until you’re ready for the celebration. 🎂
Substitutions and Variations
Not all dogs have the same dietary needs, and that’s okay.
| Swap | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Oat flour | Whole wheat flour or brown rice flour |
| Greek yogurt | Plain coconut yogurt (dairy-free) |
| Peanut butter | Sunflower seed butter or cashew butter |
| Eggs | 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce per egg |
| Banana | 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (plain, not pie filling) |
| Honey | Leave it out entirely for younger pups |
Want to make pupcakes instead? Pour the batter into a lined muffin tin and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Makes about 10 to 12 cupcakes, which is great for freezing.
Make Ahead Tips
This cake is actually a great make-ahead recipe.
- Bake the cake 1 day ahead and store it unfrosted in the fridge, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.
- Frost on the day of the party for the freshest look.
- The frosting can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Nutritional Info
Here’s an approximate breakdown per slice (1/8 of the cake, frosting included, no honey):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~130 kcal |
| Protein | ~6g |
| Fat | ~6g |
| Carbohydrates | ~14g |
| Sugar | ~4g (natural) |
| Fiber | ~1.5g |
This is a treat, not a meal replacement. Feed it as you would any special occasion food. For small dogs (under 20 lbs), a small slice is more than enough.
Meal Pairing Suggestions
Planning a full birthday spread for your dog? Pair this cake with:
- Frozen yogurt bites: Plain Greek yogurt mixed with mashed banana, spooned into an ice cube tray and frozen overnight. Perfect for a summer celebration.
- Carrot sticks: The most underrated dog snack. Crunchy, naturally sweet, and most dogs go crazy for them.
- A good walk. Honestly the best gift you can give alongside the cake.
Leftovers and Storage
Because this cake contains dairy (Greek yogurt) and eggs, it needs to be stored properly.
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Slice and freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
- Do not leave out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
FAQ
Can all dogs eat this cake? Most healthy adult dogs can enjoy this cake in moderation. If your dog has allergies, digestive sensitivities, kidney disease, diabetes, or any other health condition, check with your vet first before introducing new foods.
Is peanut butter really safe for dogs? Yes, as long as it doesn’t contain xylitol (also listed as “birch sugar” on some labels). Plain, natural peanut butter with just peanuts and salt is perfectly safe in moderate amounts.
My dog is lactose intolerant. Can I still make this? You can swap the Greek yogurt for plain coconut yogurt in both the cake and the frosting. The texture may be slightly different, but your pup won’t complain.
Can puppies eat this cake? Avoid giving honey to dogs under 1 year old, as their immune systems aren’t fully developed. Otherwise, the other ingredients are generally safe for puppies. Ask your vet if you’re unsure.
Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter? You can, but use it sparingly. Almonds aren’t toxic to dogs, but almond butter is high in fat and can cause digestive upset in some dogs. Sunflower seed butter is actually a safer swap.
Does this cake taste good to humans? Honestly? Yes. It’s dense, mildly sweet, and basically a healthy banana bread situation. No shame in trying a bite.
Wrapping Up
Your dog has been with you through every late night, bad day, and random Tuesday when you just needed someone to sit next to you on the couch. A birthday cake feels like the least you can do.
This recipe is simple, made with ingredients you can feel good about, and it’ll have your dog so excited they won’t know what to do with themselves. Which, honestly, is exactly the reaction you want.
Give it a try and let me know how it goes in the comments below! I’d love to hear what toppings you used, what your dog thought, and any tweaks you made along the way. Questions are always welcome too.