You’ve got everything you need to turn that dog treat recipe you found on Google into an unforgettable experience. Including this ultimate baking guide. However, before you start, remember that urge you have to try out that dog treat recipe means you’re ready to try something new. Like baking a pupcake instead.
A dog treat recipe is great. But a pupcake recipe, that’s an experience. It’s a chance to create your own love language with your dog.
SO, WHAT’S A PUPCAKE?
A pupcake is every dog’s favorite dessert. In essence, it’s a cupcake with dog-friendly ingredients. Also known as a puppy cake, dog cake, and dog cupcake, pupcakes are dog treats that stand out in crowd. It’s the lady in red in a room full of little black dresses.
Baking pupcakes are not only a great way to spend time with your dog, but also a great way to tap into your creativity, tell your story, and stretch outside your comfort zone.
AND, WHEN DO WE BAKE PUPCAKES?
Here’s the beauty of baking pupcakes. You can bake them whenever you want. Dog’s birthday. Gotcha Day. Or, just because you want to show your dog some love. Baking in pupcakes is even a good idea for anyone looking to break into the pet industry. But in reality, you never need a reason to bake. All you need is the inspiration to try and at least one willing dog to sample the final result.
NOW, LET’S START BAKING
So, are you ready to create your own unforgettable experience? This pupcake baking guide has 17 baking tips to help you get started along with some songs to add to your pupcake baking playlist while you mix.
BEFORE THE MIX
Before you get into this pupcake mix, let’s do a little slight work prep work.
CHOOSE A RECIPE
There are a ton of pupcake recipes out there. All you have to do is choose the one. The right one. Choose the one that agrees with your dog’s diet. The recipe that aligns with your baking goals. The one that’s got the ingredients that give you that flavor your dog dreams about. And, the recipe that produces pupcakes that’s easy for you to store. (For Your Baking Playlist: All I Do Is Think Of You by Troop)
READ EVERY STEP
Before you start anything, read everything. Pupcake recipes are usually not that long. So, read (not skim) before you begin baking. It’ll help you map out a plan of action. In essence, you’ll reduce the risk of missing steps, forgetting ingredients, and completely jacking up your pupcakes. (For Your Baking Playlist: Do You Want To by Xscape)
BRING OUT THE TOOLS
Every pupcake baker needs the essentials in the kitchen. You can’t mix, pour, stir, sprinkle, or bake without them. So, make sure you have these tools in your kitchen, and that you have them ready before you start baking.
Affordable Mixer – Whether you choose a hand mixer or a stand mixer, you’ll need one to mix your pupcake ingredients. Prices can range from approximately $30 to a few hundred depending on the type of mixer and the brand. Choose the one that fits in your price range.
Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls – A basic set of stainless-steel mixing bowls will go a long way when you’re baking pupcakes. They’re easier to clean than glass mixing bowls. They’re also store easier to store.
Measuring Cups & Spoons – Baking pupcakes requires measuring your ingredients. There’s no way of getting around it. So, having a sturdy set of measuring cups and spoons in your inventory is a must. Stainless-steel may be the move if you’re planning on doing a whole lot of baking as the less sturdy varieties tend to dent over time.
Mini or Standard Cupcake Pan – One sturdy cupcake pan is necessary for pupcakes. I prefer the aluminum steel cupcake pans. However, there are several varieties of silicone cupcake pans that work as well. Also, choose the size that works for your dog. Standard size cupcake pans will produce standard sized pupcakes. Mini cupcake pans produce smaller pupcakes. Sugar is a little dog. So, all of the pupcakes I bake for her are miniature size.
Baking Cup Liners – Baking liners always add some extra detail to your pupcakes. There are several colors, sizes, design, and patterns to use for your pupcakes.
Pastry Bags & Piping Tips – I usually pipe all of the frosting onto my pupcakes. If you’re looking to play around with pupcake frosting, adding pastry bags and piping tips to your baking tool box is key.
Flexible Spatula – You’ll need a flexible spatula to help with batters and other ingredients that you’ll need to scrape out of the bowl.
One Serrated Knife & One Butter Knife – The serrated knife is perfect for cutting ingredients, such as fruits and vegetables, used in your pupcake recipes. The butter knife is perfect for leveling dry measures. And, if you’re not piping your frosting, the butter knife can be used to frost your pupcakes.
Oven – This is important. There are no pupcakes without an oven to bake them in.
(For Your Baking Playlist: Someone To Love by Jon B. & Babyface)
GET TO KNOW YOUR MEASURING CUPS
In every recipe there are two types of measures. Dry measure. And, liquid measure. Each of them requires a certain cup. The way you measure your ingredients can make or break your pupcake recipe. So, it’s important to understand the difference and measure correctly.
Liquid Measuring Cups – Designed to measure liquid ingredients, such as water, oil, yogurt, etc.
Dry Measuring Cups – Designed to measure dry ingredients, such as flour, baking powder, spices, fruits, vegetables, etc.
Also, make sure you’re “leveling off” your dry measure before you add it to the recipe. Leveling off your ingredients will give you the exact amount you need for the recipe. To level-off your dry ingredients, scoop the ingredient using the cup or spoon. Then take the smooth side of a butter knife and scrape it across the top of the cup or spoon so that the excess ingredients fall out of the cup. (For Your Baking Playlist: Lady by D’Angelo)
MEASURE BEFORE YOU MIX
It’s frustrating to have to stop in the middle of baking to run to the store because you realized that you didn’t have the cinnamon you needed or enough peanut butter. So, pre-measure all your ingredients before you start pouring them in a bowl to mix. It not only cuts down your baking time, but it also gives you the chance to make sure you have the exact ingredient measurements you need to bake the pupcakes. (For Your Baking Playlist: Stop This World by Ne-Yo)
DURING THE MIX
Now we’re ready to get into the mix. So, here are a few things to keep in mind while you’re baking your heart out.
PREHEAT YOUR OVEN
Step one of every pupcake recipe will always be to preheat your oven. So, before your start mixing, set your oven to the temperature in your recipe. And, don’t put your pupcakes in the oven until your oven reaches the right temperature. Putting your pupcakes in the oven before it’s hot will cause your pupcakes to under bake and take forever to get done. It could also result in you tossing your them in the trash. Believe me. It’s not a good idea to feed your dog an unbaked pupcake. (For Your Baking Playlist: Beautiful Surprise by India.Arie)
DOGS DON’T LICK THE SPOON
Remember when you used to lick the spoon. Yeah…don’t let your dog do that with the pupcake batter. Not only can the raw batter make your dog sick, it’s also not a good idea to have your dog lick the same spoon you’re going to use to make dinner tonight. So, even if your dog is pacing the floor waiting for you to finish those pupcakes, don’t give your dog one until the pupcakes have fully baked and cooled. (For Your Baking Playlist: Best Friend by Brandy)
USE CUPCAKE LINERS
I use cupcake liners all the time for my pupcakes. They come in several different sizes and are a great way to keep your pupcakes from sticking to the pan. Cupcake liners also come in a variety of colors and designs, which makes your pupcakes stand out even more. But if cupcake liners aren’t your thing, spray olive oil is a great alternative for keeping your pupcakes from sticking to the pan. (For Your Baking Playlist: Why I Love You So Much by Monica)
CENTER YOUR PUPCAKES
When you put your pupcakes in the oven, place them in the center of the oven rack. Baking your pupcakes in the middle of the oven will allow for more hot air to circulate around the pupcakes. This will help your pupcakes come out evenly baked and pretty all over. (For Your Baking Playlist: So Amazing by Luther Vandross)
LISTEN FOR THE TIMER
You know how they say a watched pot never boils? Well, an open oven never bakes. And, a watched pupcake never rises. All pupcake recipes will have a set bake time. Keep the oven door closed until your timer dings. Opening and closing the door effects the oven temperature, which will also cause your pupcakes to take longer to get done. Use your oven light and window feature if you need to do a quick peak before your pupcakes are done baking. (For Your Baking Playlist: Weak by SWV)
TEST THE TEMPERATURE
Stick a toothpick in the center of the one of the pupcakes to make sure they’re done. If the toothpick comes out clean, the pupcakes are ready. If the toothpick comes out with pupcake batter stuck to it, let them bake for a few more minutes. Another way to test is to take one finger and tap the top of one of the pupcakes. If the pupcake is soft, let them bake for a few more minutes. If it’s firm, your pupcakes are done. Remember, you should only be testing your pupcakes after the instructed bake time has finished. (For Your Baking Playlist: With You by Tony Terry)
LET THE PUPCAKES COOL
When your pupcakes come out of the oven, they’ll smell delicious. But, they’re hot. So, take them out of the pan and let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes. Once they’ve cooled you can decorate them or serve them. (For Your Baking Playlist: Love of My Life (An Ode To Hip Hop) by Common & Erykah Badu)
DECORATE AFTER YOU BAKE
Decorating pupcakes are the fun part. The most common way to decorate is to add frosting. However, this is another way to let your creativity shine through. You can add fruit, vegetables, cake toppers, etc. Just make sure your pupcakes have cooled before you start. (For Your Baking Playlist: Anniversary by Tony! Toni! Toné!)
AFTER THE MIX
After the pupcakes are done, it’s time to chill and watch your dog indulge in the pupcakes you baked. Here are a few tips to get you to the after mix a little quicker.
CLEAN AS YOU MIX
As you’re baking your pupcakes, put the ingredients away immediately after you’re done using them. Wash that mixing bowl while those pupcakes are baking in the oven. This way you’ll have less to clean up after the pupcakes are done. (For Your Baking Playlist: Roni by Bobby Brown)
MEASURE WITH INTENTION
One of the messiest parts about baking pupcakes is measuring ingredients and spraying your pan. So, cover your counter with wax paper or a paper towel as you measure. This way any spills will land on the paper instead of the counter. Once you’re done, you can throw the paper away with minimal clean up. If you’re spraying your pan, do it over the sink. This way you can avoid your spray from landing all over your counter. (For Your Baking Playlist: Can We Talk by Tevin Campbell)
FREEZE YOUR PUPCAKES
Yes. You can freeze your pupcakes. In fact, that’s the best way to keep them fresher longer. Plus, you’ll always have a pupcake ready at a moment’s notice. I love to bake, but baking pupcakes from scratch every day for my dog isn’t an option. Pulling a pupcake out of the freezer is the next best thing. And, when you freeze your pupcakes, remember these 3 things.
Use a flat container with a lid – Sit your pupcakes upright in a flat container and cover with a lid. This will help your pupcakes keep their shape, especially if you’re using frosting. All you’ll have to do is remove them from the container and let them sit out for a few minutes prior to serving.
Give your pupcakes a shelf – If possible, store all your pupcake containers on one shelf in the freezer. This keeps the pupcakes from getting lost among other foods stored in your freezer. Keeping all your pupcakes in one place will also make it easier for you to find them when you need them.
Use a label – Add a label with the name of the pupcake flavor on each container. The label will help you keep inventory with what flavors you have. It might also be helpful to add how many pupcakes you’re storing in each container. This way you’ll know how many pupcakes you have.
(For Your Baking Playlist: The Sweetest Thing by The Refugee Camp All-Stars Featuring Lauryn Hill)
SHARE THE LOVE
Baking pupcakes is always a good time. But sharing those pupcakes with your dog, makes baking even more special. And, it usually leads to a great story. So, get creative with the pupcake sharing. Try putting them on a special plate. Share them with your dog during your walk. You can even share them with other dogs in your neighborhood. The ways to share your baked pupcakes is endless. Make those pupcake moments your own. (For Your Baking Playlist: You Mean The World To Me by Toni Braxton)
Get In This Pupcake Mix
Honey Granola Pupcakes – These Honey Granola Pupcakes are inspired by my go-to breakfast bar on the run. The honey makes the pupcakes sweet. The cinnamon makes the smell irresistible. And, the peanut butter makes it perfect for the dog who absolutely loves peanut butter.
Apple Peanut Butter Pupcakes – I never thought I’d be blogging about baking pupcakes. And I certainly never thought I’d turn my pupcake recipes into stories inspired by toy poodle, Sugar. But, here we are. Baking pupcakes and creating new stores one recipe at a time. Through every recipe I’ve found a new way to express my creativity and Sugar’s gotten a new way to expand her taste buds. Check out these Apple Peanut Butter Pupcakes straight from The Pupcake Sugar Taste Suite. Also, meet Sugar; a pupcakepreneur turning her love for baking into an unforgettable experience one pupcake at a time.
(For Your Baking Playlist: Can You Stand The Rain by New Edition)
Creating your own pupcake experience with your dog? We’d love to hear about it. Stay connected and share your pupcake stories with us @pupcakesugar
