Last summer was the best summer ever. Why? Mom stayed home with me all day. On those days where Mom usually darted out of the house for work, she spent here with me.

No more getting up at the crack of dawn to do our morning walks while the sun was still rising. We both got to sleep in a little later, walk when the sun was shining brightly in the sky, and I even got to spend more time snuggling in her lap.

In fact, if it weren’t for this summer, Mom would have never gotten the idea for Pupcake Sugar. Just think of all the yummy pupcakes we’d have missed.

One day during this glorious summer, I was playing with one of my toys while Mom was separating her laundry. All of a sudden, a blue tarp cover came sliding down the window and I heard these loud footsteps on the roof. I thought to myself…

“That’s it. We’re under attack!”

So, I did what any normal toy poodle would do in this situation. I barked, “they’re coming,” started to run to hide under the bed, and then remembered that Mom needed protecting. So, I ran to stand right by her side to protect her. Honestly…

I was scared.

I stood next to Mom to make it look like I was protecting her. However, in reality I was hoping that she would protect me. According to the Small Dog Code of Conduct, that’s an absolute no-no. Small dogs are supposed to be strong, protect their parents, and show everyone who’s boss.

Everything in the code of conduct went out the window that day, and I learned something new. I learned how to be vulnerable. As Sigmund Freud put it…

Being vulnerable is risky. It requires a lot of trust. First, you have to trust yourself to sit and feel your emotions without guilt. Then, you have to trust someone else to protect your feelings if you decide to share them.

However, there is true beauty in vulnerability. It proves to us time and time again how strong we are when we open up. Vulnerability forces us to embrace where we are at this given moment. It is the confidence to live in our truth, the permission we give ourselves to be happy, and the courage to keep learning and growing. Vulnerability also teaches us that we definitely don’t have to face this world alone.

So, let’s bring it back to the story. After a few moments of barking, Mom picked me up. She put on my ThunderShirt and let me snuggle in her lap until those footsteps on the roof were gone and the blue tarp had completely disappeared. In that moment, I tossed out the idea of what I was supposed to be and found comfort in embracing my true feelings. And through that, I found my true strength for the first time.

These Carob Strawberry Pupcakes With Coconut Cream Frosting are dedicated to recognizing your own strength and beauty in your vulnerability.

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

Where do you draw your strength?

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 Strawberry Pupcakes

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

Coconut Cream Frosting

• ½ Cup Coconut Cream

Instructions

Yields: 12 – 14 Mini Pupcakes

For Carob Strawberry Pupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.  Line 12 to 14 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, 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. Cut hole in the middle of each pupcake and insert diced strawberries.
7. Spread coconut cream frosting onto the pupcakes.
8. Add strawberry on top of frosting for garnish (optional).

For Coconut Cream Frosting

1. Refrigerate coconut cream over night to allow it to get hard.
2. In large mixing bowl beat coconut cream for 45 to 60 seconds until it is light and fluffy.
3. Spread coconut cream frosting onto pupcakes
4. Add strawberry on top of frosting 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.