A homemade cake your dog will lose their mind over

If you’ve ever found yourself standing in the pet aisle holding a tiny “dog birthday cake” that costs way too much and has ingredients you can’t even pronounce… same.

That’s actually how this cake came to be.

I wanted something simple, homemade, and genuinely dog-friendly. A cake that felt special enough for a birthday (or gotcha day), but still made with ingredients I feel good about feeding my dog. Nothing fancy. Nothing artificial. Just a wholesome, peanut-buttery treat that feels like love in cake form.

And let me tell you - this one was a HIT.

This peanut butter dog birthday cake is soft, moist, lightly sweet (from natural ingredients only), and topped with a creamy peanut butter frosting that dogs go absolutely wild for. It’s sturdy enough to decorate, slice beautifully, and easy enough that you don’t need any baking experience at all.

Whether you’re celebrating a first birthday, a double-digit milestone, or you just want to spoil your pup because… well, they deserve it - this cake is it.

Why Make A Homemade Dog Birthday Cake?

Because dogs are family. Full stop.

And while they don’t care about sprinkles or layers or fancy piping, they do care about smell, texture, and flavor. This cake checks all those boxes without relying on sugar, buttercream, or anything that doesn’t belong in a dog-friendly recipe.

Here’s why I love this cake so much:

Made with simple, dog-safe ingredients
Naturally sweetened (no refined sugar)
Soft and easy for dogs to chew
Peanut butter flavor dogs adore
Perfect for birthdays, gotcha days, or dog parties
Stores well so your dog can enjoy it over a few days

Plus… it’s just really fun to make something special for them.

Ingredients

Dog-Friendly Cake

Peanut Butter Frosting

natural peanut butter (xylitol-free)
plain Greek yogurt (unsweetened, unflavored)

Optional Decorations

Dog biscuits (bones, paws, or minis)
dog treats
peanut butter
Dog’s name or “Birthday Pawty” lettering

How To Make The Cake

Step 1: Preheat and prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Lightly grease a small round cake pan (6 or 8 inches both work) or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

This cake doesn’t rise dramatically, which makes it perfect for decorating and stacking if you want to get fancy.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Set aside.

Using whole wheat or oat flour gives the cake structure without making it heavy. The texture stays soft but sturdy enough to frost.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix together the peanut butter, applesauce, egg, and water until smooth.

This is where all the flavor comes from - the peanut butter scent alone will probably have your dog sitting patiently in the kitchen.

Step 4: Combine and Bake

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. The batter will be thick, similar to a muffin batter.

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top.

Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

A Quick Ingredient Safety Note

This recipe uses dog-safe peanut butter. Always check the label and make sure it does NOT contain xylitol (also labeled as birch sugar). Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs.

Everything else in this recipe is made with simple, recognizable ingredients commonly used in dog treats.

If your dog has allergies or dietary restrictions, always check with your vet before introducing new foods.

Peanut Butter Frosting

This frosting is creamy, spreadable, and totally dog-safe. No sugar, no butter, no nonsense.

In a small bowl, mix together the peanut butter and Greek yogurt until smooth. That’s it.

If you want it slightly thinner for spreading, you can add a teaspoon of water or yogurt. For thicker frosting, chill it for a few minutes before using.

Frosting & Decorating The Cake

Once the cake is completely cool, spread the peanut butter frosting evenly over the top and sides.

This cake is very forgiving, so don’t stress about making it perfect. Dogs don’t care about smooth edges - they care about peanut butter.

To decorate:

Line the edges with dog biscuits
Sprinkle crushed treats on top
Pipe lettering using peanut butter in a small bag
Add paw or bone-shaped cookies

The “Birthday Pawty” design in the photos is always a crowd-pleaser and looks adorable in pictures.

Serving Size & How To Enjoy It Safely

This is a treat, not an everyday snack.

For small dogs:

Serve 1–2 small slices

For medium to large dogs:

A slightly larger slice is fine

Always supervise while your dog is eating, especially if you’ve added biscuit decorations.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4–5 days
You can also freeze slices and thaw as needed
Let refrigerated cake sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving

Honestly, most dogs won’t let it last that long.

Can Humans Eat This Cake?

Technically… yes.
Realistically… you probably won’t want to.

It’s not sweet like a human cake, but it is made with real ingredients and is completely safe. That said, this one belongs to the dogs 🐾

Final Thoughts

This peanut butter dog birthday cake is one of those recipes that feels really good to make. It’s simple, thoughtful, and filled with love and watching your dog enjoy it is honestly the best part.

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a gotcha day, or just want to do something special for your best friend, this cake is such a fun way to say “I love you” in the language dogs understand best: peanut butter.

Peanut Butter Dog Birthday Cake