The Continued Search for Bear's Birthday Cake - Part 2

The hunt continues....

With one more week left until Bear's 4th birthday, and the relative success of the wonderfully simple no-bake kibble/peanut butter cake option, I've decided to try my hand at a cake that is slightly (but not really) more complex and actually requires some baking.

The Peanut Butter Carrot Doggy Cake

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup natural peanut butter
¼ cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey
1 cup shredded carrots
1 egg

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8" round cake pan or an 8x4-inch loaf pan.

2. Whisk together the flour and baking soda. Add the rest of the ingredients and, using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, mix until thoroughly combined. Pour batter into pan and bake for about 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.

3. (Optional) Spread a thin layer of peanut butter over the top of the cooled cake - like icing
=)

This one smelled absolutely wonderful as it sat in the oven and Bear approved of it rather whole-heatedly....and now for the ultimate decsion.....which cake will I make on the 31st!!?
I'm still rather torn - both cakes turned out well and neither was particularly difficult to make...and the pooch-friendly icing from recipie one could easily be transferred to decorate this cake as well.

So many choices, so little time!

Bark back at us and let us know which cake YOU think Bear should get for his birthday!

Keep your tails wagging,
Bear's P4ws

The Search for Bear's Birthday Cake - Take 1

Birthday's are incredible, fun filled celebrations of life - and Bear's is poking it's head through the door announcing it's imminent arrival (at the end of the month).

That being said, I've already started stockpiling gifts (a new collar, a new stuffy, some steak - but shhh don't tell!).......This year's we've been contemplating a pooch-party to celebrate the fact that Bear will be turning 4.  We've started making some really wonderful poochy-friends within the walls of our condo, and it could be an exciting adventure - or an epic mess....all things depending.  

With this possibility firmly in mind, I've started the hunt for the perfect Doggy Birthday Cake recipe.  I know that there's always the option to go out an purchase a cake from one of our local pet stores, but I've always enjoyed the warmth and care put into home-made cakes.

My journey into dog-cake-making started with Created by Diane who put together a rather yummy sounding No-Bake creation.

It was surprisingly easy to make - and Bear.....well, if there's food involved, he's more than happy to try out most of my culinary experiments...

Ingedients 

1½ cups Iams Cat or Dog ProActive Health Senior Plus food

3 tablespoons peanut butter

¼ cup pumpkin puree

Icing:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons sprinkles

Instructions

1.     put dog food into food processor along with peanut butter and pumpkin puree.

2.     Pulse until it resembles coarse crumbs and sticks together.

3.     Press into a 4 inch spring form mini cake pan or any other small baking mold - cupcakes, cake pops

4.     Remove from cake pan.

5.     Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons water to make icing to pour over top of cake. Spread it with a spatula and decorate with sprinkles (optional, but rather festive, so why not?)

And that's it!
Simple and super-tasty -- if Bear's rate of devouring was anything to go by..... 

Do you and your pooch have any favorite cake recipes?
Bark at us and let us know!

 Keep your tails wagging,
Bear's P4ws

Banana and Peanut Butter Frozen Dog Treat Popsicles

This one’s so good that even the household humans may want to try it! 

Ingredients: 
 32 ounces of plain yogurt,
2 tablespoons of peanut butter, 
 2 tablespoons of honey, 
 ⅓ cup of water, 
1 large banana, 
A dozen (or so) of your Pooch’s favorite bone shaped biscuit, 
Dixie cups (I like the smaller ones, good for one-bite treats) 

 Directions: 
Take yogurt, peanut butter, honey, water and the banana (chopped) and place them in a blender or food processor. 
 Purée ingredients together then pour into Dixie cups. 
Stand dog biscuits in the cups of purée like you would a Popsicle stick and then place them in the freezer. 
Your dog will love you for your culinary creations. 
They make the perfect cool-down snack after a walk, or a romp at the park.

Hide these from your kids!– their ice-cream-like texture and heavenly peanut-butteryness may have even you reaching in for a lick or two. 

=P

original recipe found on the Hartz Blog 

Keep your tails wagging, 
Bear’s P4ws

Frozen Banana Pupsicles

A super-easy, super fun summer treat for your pup.  

The star of this pupsicle is the wonderful Banana - Besides their uniquely smooth texture and sweet taste, bananas also boast loads of amino acids, electrolytes, minerals, vitamins B6 and C, potassium, fiber and manganese.

 If your pooch uses a lot of energy, whether he’s your professional companion or just your sidekick on long hikes, bring a few bananas along your fur baby going strong.

INGREDIENTS 

4 cups plain (unsweetened) Yogurt

2 Tablespoons Peanut Butter

3 ripe Bananas – peeled and mashed

HOW TO

1)      Blend all your ingredients together in a blender or food processor 
2)      Pour into 4oz plastic cups, molds or ice-cube trays 
3)      Freeze until firm

Any time you and your pup come in from a summer romp, pop a treat out of the freezer and watch the puppy bliss

=)

These treats can be stored in the freezer for approximately 2 weeks.  Any longer and I found that freezer burn would begin to set in.

Happy munching!

Keep your tails wagging,

Bear’s P4ws

Super-Easy ( Super-Tasty) Dog Food Bites

If your dog has ever turned up his nose at the prospect of more of the “same old” dog food, these treats are for you.

I've used them to make sure that Bear keeps his weight up during the summer months (he goes through these fast phases during the summer when it’s super-hot outside).

Ingredients

2 cups of your dog’s dry food

1 ¼ cups water

Instructions

>   Start by taking 2 cups of your dog’s regular (everyday) food.

>   Place dry food into a blender or food processor and grind the kibble into a powder (it’ll be a little grainy, but that’s just fine)

>   Pour the powder into a medium sized mixing bowl and add your water

>   Stir until a dough forms (it’ll be slightly sticky)

>   Using a table spoon or small cookie dropper, drop the dog cookies onto an ungreased cookie sheet

>   Bake at 350 for approximately 30 minutes

>   Cook completely before serving.

* Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week

These treats are a great way to liven up Fido’s food and inspire his appetite.   They’re also great for pooches who are watching their waistlines (so long as treats are given in moderation and do not exceed your dog’s daily requirement for food).

Keep your tails wagging

Bear’s P4ws

Yummy Peanut Butter Pumpkin Bites

A happy little mouthful of Peanut Butter bliss for your pooch - accented with the healthiness of a sugar-free pumpkin puree and light touch of cinnamon.

These treats have Bear's very enthusiastic approval - he'd eat them all in one sitting if I let him!
=P

Ingredients

>  1/2 14 oz canned pumpkin

>  3 Tbsp peanut butter

>  4 egg whites or 2 whole eggs

>  1/2 tsp salt  (the salt can be left out - I've done it both ways and it doesn't effect Bear's enjoyment in the slightest.  If you're more health conscious, you may choose to omit this ingredient)

>  1/2 tsp cinnamon

>  1/4 to 1/2 cup water

>  3 cups whole wheat flour

Instructions

1) Preheat oven to 350 (convection)

2) Add pumpkin to your eggs (whites), Peanut Butter, salt, cinnamon and water.  Mix together.

3) Now slowly add your 3 cups of whole wheat flour with the mixer on

** NOTE:  You will need to add a little more water to get all the flour incorporated. For me it was another 1/4 cup. This is a very dry dough

4) Place the dough on a cutting surface and cut it into 4 equal pieces. 

5) Roll into logs of 1 inch diameter - you do not need to let this dough rest

6) Cut into 1/2 inch pieces. I got 61 Bear-Bite-sized pieces

7) Prep 2 large cookie sheets with parchment paper and distribute the biscuits evenly

8) Bake for 30 minutes for semi hard bites.  You can bake them a little longer if you want some more crunch.  

Store the way you would store most cookies - in a sealed tin, jar or Tupperware container. 

These cookies do not need to be refrigerated.

Enjoy!!

Keep your tails wagging

Bear's P4ws

Super Cool Summer Pupsicles!

A great way to keep your pooch cool this summer and help him beat the heat!

Whip up these quick frozen treats for your dog and his puppy pals with food you have on hand. All you need is 5 minutes, a few ingredients, and a freezer.

THE BASICS

1 ripe banana
4 cups orange juice
1/2 cup plain yogurt

Puree all ingredients in a blender —or simply mash the banana by hand and combine with the juice and yogurt— then pour into a Popsicle mold, freeze, and serve to your favorite overheated pooch.

MIX IT UP

Switch up your fruit. Try subbing in:
Blueberries
Strawberries
Peach
Watermelon
Or mix in some peanut butter.

You can also vary the juice you use. Try pineapple juice or apple juice; just check to be sure the juice you use is all-natural and has no added sugar.

BEAR APPROVED

* watermelon, strawberry, pineapple juice, and yogurt

* peanut butter, banana, apple juice, and yogurt

HOW ‘BOUT A SAVORY MIX?

Had barbequed chicken for dinner? Don’t chuck the carcass! Throw it in a large pot, cover with water, and let it simmer for an hour and a half. Cool, then pick the meat off, discarding the bone but keeping the cartilage, meat, and broth. Leftover cooked carrots and/or peas? Mash them up and mix them in! Pour the chicken broth into your Popsicle mold (save whatever’s leftover as a tasty addition to your dog’s next few meals) and freeze.

Your pup will LOVE them. Guaranteed.  

Keep your tails wagging

Bear's P4ws

Creamy Tomato Chicken Bones

There is something almost magical about tomato soup (at least in my humble opinion).  Bear seems to agree with me on this, because whenever Bear smells tomato soup, he's at my feet looking at my cup (or bowl) as if it might hold the answers to the universe.  

Sadly tomato soup has WAY to much sodium and other added ingredients for any dog's digestive system and should never be shared with them.  BUT! Here at Bear's P4ws, we're always on the lookout for yummy Fido-friendly foodstuffs, and so - without further ado - we're happy to present these CREAMY TOMATO CHICKEN BONES! (It's tomato soup - but in a bone!)

Ingredients
1 Chicken breast, cooked and chopped
1 (6 ounce) can Tomato Paste
4 ounces Cream Cheese
1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 1/2 cups Whole Wheat Flour

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. In a large bowl add all ingredients and mix well.
3. Knead dough into ball and roll onto a heavily floured surface 1/4 inch thick and cut with your cookie cutter of your choice.
4. Place on your prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Cool and refrigerate.
Makes 3 to 4 dozen bones.

Remember to store them in an air-tight container in the fridge. 

(Original recipe can be found at Doggy Dessert Chef)

Enjoy
=)

Keep your tails wagging
Bear's P4ws

Turkey Treats

Bear spent the evening watching me make turkey meatballs.  He sat in the doorway of the kitchen (he's not allowed in and he knows it) watching me with sad eyes that very carefully tracked my every move.  Both of us knew that he was waiting for a little piece of something to fall on the floor.
Bear knows that there is very little I can deny him, and eventually his doleful puppy eyes resulted in some rather yummy kitchen experimentation.  I got my meatballs and, by the end of the night, Bear had his Turkey Treats
 
This recipe makes about 2 1/2 dozen

Ingredients:
 1/2 pound of ground turkey,
 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese,
 1/2 tablespoon chopped parsley,
 1 egg beaten,
 1 tablespoon vegetable oil,
 1 cup whole wheat flour,
 1 tablespoon brewer's yeast

Instructions:
 Preheat your oven to 350
  1: Add turkey, cheese and parsley to a mixing bowl and blend.
  2: Add beaten egg and oil and mix well.
  3: Pour in the whole wheat flour and yeast.
  4: Knead with hands until dough is smooth.
  5: Take small pieces of dough and roll into a ball.
  6: Place balls of dough on an un-greased baking sheet.
  7: Bake dough for 20 minutes.

Let treats cool completely(about 15 minutes) and then sit back and watch the happiness of canine indulgence.
=D

(Be sure to store these bites in a container in the fridge)

Keep your tails wagging
Bear's P4ws

Winter Squash Dog Muffin Recipe

Making this dog muffin recipe is a wonderful way to take advantage of all the leftovers from the season's crop of winter squash. 

Butternut squash was used for this recipe (because it's wonderful ad delicious and oh so very versatile), but you can easily substitute acorn or spaghetti squash, to name just a few of the many available and healthy winter squashes.

Winter squash is low in calories and a good source of fiber, which makes it a good pick for those dogs watching their wasteline. All dogs will appreciate the vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, folate, omega 3 fatty acids and vitamins B1, B3, B5 & B6 in the squashes.

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground ginger

1 1/2 cups winter squash, peeled and cubed

1/8 cup water

1 egg

1 tbsp corn oil

1/2 cup milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375° F
2. Whisk together the oats, flour, cinnamon and ginger.
3. Peel the squash and cut into 1 inch cubes.
4. Place squash in a microwave safe bowl and add 1/8 cup of water.
5. Microwave on high at one minute intervals until tender. After each minute, stir and test the softness of the squash.
6. Once the squash is tender, drain the excess liquid.
7. Place the squash, egg, oil and milk into a blender.
8. Blend into a smooth puree, stirring when needed to keep the mixture moving.
9. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the squash mixture.
10. Stir together until combined.
11. Spray a mini muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray with flour.
12. Using a tablespoon sized cookie scooper, scoop generous amounts into each muffin cup.
13. Bake for 15 minutes.
14. Turn off the oven and let the muffins cool.  

(sourced by the Dog Treat Kitchen)

Storing - This dog muffin recipe will keep in the fridge for about two weeks. You can freeze them for later enjoyment for up to 6 months. To decorate, let them thaw, or come to room temperature first.

Yield - Using a mini muffin pan, you'll be able to turn out 24 little muffins.

Let us know how your batch of muffins turns out

=)

Keep your tails wagging

Bear's P4ws

Healthy Pumpkin Balls

This snack is not only delicious but is also filled with fiber, vitamin A, beta-carotene, potassium, and iron.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin

• 4 tbsp molasses
• 4 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
2. Mix pumpkin, molasses, vegetable oil, and water together in a bowl
3. Add the whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon to the mixture and stir until dough softens
4. Scoop out small spoonfuls of dough and roll into balls on your hands (wet hands work best)
5. Set the balls onto a lightly greased cookie sheet and flatten with a fork
6. Bake approximately 25 minutes until dough is hardened

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Mix pumpkin, molasses, vegetable oil, and water together in a bowl
3. Add the whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon to the mixture and stir until dough softens
4. Scoop out small spoonfuls of dough and roll into balls on your hands (wet hands work best)
5. Set the balls onto a lightly greased cookie sheet and flatten with a fork
6. Bake approximately 25 minutes until dough is hardened

Allow to cool and then use any excuse you can to get your pooch to try them.  If they're anything like Bear, it'll be love at first bite!

Keep your tails wagging

Bear's P4ws