Did you catch that philosophical gem? Thanks Mark Manson for putting that into perspective. Life is basically one endless stream of problems. Small ones. Big ones. Sad ones. Happy ones. Easy ones. Hard ones. Crazy ones. And yes, even unexpected (WTF) ones. Ironically, however, our problems actually determine our behaviors. So…

If you want to make your customers happy, solve their problems.

It’s that simple, but there’s also a twist. There’s always that gray area between identifying the problem and coming up with a solution. It’s the place where decisions are made, plans are outlined, and dreams are imagined. This place is even home to a few mistakes, a little bit of awkwardness, and a couple of fumbles. It’s the sweet spot where we all live out our experiences. This gray space is basically your FLOW.

Your FLOW are the moves you make to solve a problem.

It’s the space where things may not be certain, but we’re moving through life until we figure them out. No matter what the problem, we all FLOW through that gray space until we solve it.

For instance, let’s set the scene.

• MY PROBLEM – A huge pupcake craving
• MY SOLUTION – Getting my paws on a delicious pupcake (or 2)
• MY FLOW – The moves I make to get one

Should I swipe a pupcake off the table while Mom’s taking pictures? Should I sit quietly and wait for her to reward me for my cuteness? Or, should I just make one myself. At this moment, I’d probably be more open to purchase something that’d help me snag a pupcake. Especially, if the advertisement spoke directly to my FLOW and the problem I’m looking to solve.

Understanding your customers’ flow is key for your marketing campaign. It’s what makes your marketing message sing. It makes your customer more inclined to consider you as a solution while they’re figuring out their problems. Why? Because in that very moment you’re speaking their language. And that builds trust.

These Carob Raspberry Pupcakes are dedicated to those pups who not only crave pupcakes, but also love their FLOW and find happiness in solving her problems.

We also believe that every pupcake has a story. So, while your favorite pup is PUPPY LOVIN’ on these pupcakes, we’d love to hear from you.

Is there a problem you’re excited to solve for your customers? How is their FLOW important in solving that problem?

Please share your pupcake story in the box below.

And, after you’ve tried this recipe please share it with us @pupcakesugar on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or all three. We’d love to see how they turned out for you.

Ingredients

Carob Raspberry Pupcakes

• ½ Cup Brown Rice Flour
• 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
• 2 Tablespoons Carob Powder
• ¼ Cup Olive Oil
• ⅓ Cup Plain Yogurt
• 2 Tablespoons Raspberries
• 1 Egg

Raspberry Frosting

• 2 Tablespoons Raspberry Powder (Made with Trader Joe’s Freeze Dried Raspberries)
• ⅓ Cup Plain Yogurt
• ½ Cup Brown Rice Flour
• 12 to 16 Fresh Raspberries for Garnish (Optional)

Instructions

Yields: 12 to 16 Mini Pupcakes

For Carob Raspberry Pupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350° Line 12 to 16 1.75-inch mini-muffin pan with paper bake cups and set aside.
2. In small bowl mix together flour, baking powder, and carob powder. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl add olive oil, yogurt, raspberries, and egg. Beat on medium speed about 2 minutes or until combined.
4. Add dry ingredients into the mixture and blend for approximately 2 minutes until well mixed.
5. Fill each cupcake liner with 1 tablespoon of pupcake mix and bake for 12 minutes. Pupcakes are done when you can stick a toothpick into the cake and it comes out clean. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack.
6. Spread or pipe raspberry frosting onto the pupcakes.
7. Add a raspberry on top of each pupcake for garnish (optional).

For Raspberry Frosting

1. In a blender, blend freeze-dried raspberries for approximately 1 to 2 minutes until they become a powder.
2. In large mixing bowl beat yogurt, flour, and raspberry powder together on medium speed. Mix until creamy. Frosting should have the consistency of whipped cream.
3. Spread or pipe raspberry frosting onto the pupcakes.
4. Add a raspberry on top of each pupcake for garnish (optional).

Notes

• This recipe is for a fun treat ONLY. It should not replace your dog’s regular meals. Please consult with your vet on the best plan for your dog’s diet.