It’s Cooper’s 5th birthday today! And what’s a birthday party without a birthday cake?

This sweet, fluffy boy is really man’s best friend. In fact we all think he may be part-human, or at least a human trapped in a dog’s body. He is an amazing listener and lolls around the couch like a gangsta.

Cooper was just six weeks only when Cameron Premo brought him home. He quickly made himself at home and stole all our of hearts.

When Cameron used to live in the same apartment complex as LeBraun and me, they would come upstairs to visit. The elevator door would open and Cooper would tear down the hall like a rocket, across our giant couch, run up the stairs, and give everyone present a zillion kisses. As a puppy, he was seriously susceptible to the “zoomies.” :)

Alot has happened in five years. He is still the cuddliest, friendliest boy, but now he is a "big" brother (in age, definitely not in size) to Puddles and lives with his dad and mom, Hunter Premo, in a house with a fenced-in backyard.

So for his special day, we knew he needed something more than just a “pup”cake, and since he loves sweet potatoes and apples we decided to roll with it.

The result—a four-tiered cake chock full of beta-carotene, vitamin C + fiber-rich fruits and veggies, layered with a simple, creamy greek yogurt and peanut butter frosting.

Just like anything even people food for people, most items are okay in moderation.

This cake may not the fluffiest or the airiest, but it is packed full of quality ingredients your dog will love.

Our official canine taste testers, Roxy, Rena + Rex, gave this recipe six paws up! Rena picked up her bowl and took it to another corner when Roxy came by. Rex growled at anyone who tried to take his away even when he had finished. And I’m not even sure Roxy actually tasted it, she just inhaled it instead.

If your dogs not a fan of cake, sweet potatoes + apples, or if you’re looking for more of an everyday treat, check out these Four-Ingredient Puppy Treats and Royal Icing for Puppy Treats.

When Cooking for Canines:
Everyone knows dogs love people food, but be careful because there are some fruits and veggies that they shouldn’t eat. These foods, especially when ingested in large amounts, can upset their stomach and cause a number of medical issues. Check out this short list from the American Kennel Club’s website before letting Fido eat off your plate.

YES

Apples
Blueberries
Brussels Sprouts
Carrots
Cucumbers
Green Beans
Mangoes
Oranges
Pears
Peas (avoid canned peas)
Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Pumpkin (fresh or unsweetened canned)

IN MODERATION

Bananas
Broccoli
Cantaloupe
Celery
Cranberries
Peaches
Pineapples
Raspberries
Strawberries
Spinach

NO

Asparagus
Avocado
Cherries
Grapes
Mushrooms
Onions
Tomatoes
Jam/Jelly

DEFINITELY NOT

Xylitol, a sugar replacement sweetener is extremely toxic for dogs. Not that you would feed it to them on purpose, but be careful leaving your purse or bags on the ground as it can ingested by accident. Xylitol can be found in everything from sticks of gum, protein bars, flavored drink powders, dental products, baby wipes, and more.

PUPPY-FRIENDLY SWEET POTATO + APPLE CAKE

yields: two 6-inch round cakes (For Cooper’s cake I doubled the recipe, making a total of four 6-inch round cakes.)

Ingredients

For Dry Cake Ingredients:

1 cup oat flour (n1)

3/4 tsp baking soda

For Wet Cake Ingredients:

1 egg

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup sweet potato puree

1/4 cup natural unsweetened peanut butter (n2)

1/8 cup coconut oil

For Frosting:

1/2 cup unsweetened original greek yogurt

1/4 cup natural unsweetened creamy peanut butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease two 6-inch round pans.
Combine dry cake ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all wet cake ingredients until combined.
Add dry mixture into wet mixture by 1/4 cups, whisking well between each addition.
Divide mixture evenly between the prepared round pans and bake 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean.
Allow to cool in pans 10 minutes before carefully running a knife around the edge of pan to release the cake from the pan.
Gently flip out onto a wire rack and allow to cool completely.
If doubling recipe, clean and re-grease 6-inch rounds before repeating directions 1-7.
While cakes are cooling, whisk frosting ingredients together until well combined. Store in fridge until cakes are ready to be frosted.

To Build the Layered Cake:

Line up all cakes side by side then level each. With a long serrated knife shave off the dome part of each cake so each layer becomes the same height.
Place first layer on cake stand/serving tray/plate. Using a spatula, spread frosting in a thin, even layer across the top of the cake.
Place the second layer on top of the first, allowing frosting to “spill out” the sides.
If applicable, repeat process (cake layer, frosting, cake layer, frosting) until all layers have been added.

Notes:

n1. Traditional I use oat flour for puppy-related baked goods since it’s an easy way to add fiber. If you don’t want to purchase a whole bag, add rolled oats to a food processor and pulse until finely ground.
n2. Peanut butter is naturally rich in healthy fats, but unfortunately tons of brands are also high in added sugars. For dogs it’s best to look for natural unsweetened peanut butters. The ingredients should simply read peanuts and salt.