Spinach & Apple Mini Cakes: 1 Happy Pup

You know those moments when your furry best friend just melts your heart with their big puppy-dog eyes? I swear mine has a sixth sense for when I’m baking. So, I whipped up these Spinach & Apple Mini Cakes โ€“ Recipe for Dogs, and let me tell you, they were a HUGE hit! Theyโ€™re packed with good stuff like fresh spinach and apples, and honestly, they smell pretty darn amazing even to human noses. Itโ€™s so satisfying knowing Iโ€™m giving my pup a treat thatโ€™s actually good for them, not just a sugar bomb! Golden retriever gazes at Spinach & Apple Mini Cakes, treats made for dogs.

Why You’ll Love This Spinach & Apple Mini Cakes โ€“ Recipe for Dogs

Seriously, these mini cakes are a game-changer for your pup! Hereโ€™s why youโ€™ll be making them again and again:
  • Super Healthy: Packed with real spinach and wholesome applesauce, these are treats you can feel good about giving. No weird stuff here!
  • Easy Peasy: Iโ€™m all about simple recipes, and this one is a breeze. You probably already have most of the ingredients!
  • Dog Approved: My own dogs go nuts for these. Theyโ€™re the perfect little reward for good behavior or just because.
  • Natural Goodness: Weโ€™re using whole wheat flour and natural sweeteners from the apple. Itโ€™s like a little bite of health for your furry friend.
Golden Retriever looking longingly at Spinach & Apple Mini Cakes. Recipe for Dogs.

Ingredients for Your Spinach & Apple Mini Cakes โ€“ Recipe for Dogs

Alright, let’s talk about what goes into these awesome little cakes. Itโ€™s honestly a super simple list! My pups gobble these up, and I feel great about what theyโ€™re eating.
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour: This is a great base for our cakes. Itโ€™s got fiber, which is good for your dogโ€™s digestion. Trust me, it holds up way better than just any old flour.
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce: This is where we get a nice bit of sweetness and moisture without adding any sugar. Apples are generally safe for dogs, and they add a yummy flavor they can totally get behind.
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh spinach: Now, this is the superfood secret! Spinach is packed with vitamins and minerals, and dogs can totally eat it. I just give it a quick chop so it mixes in nicely. The American Kennel Club says it’s good for them!
  • 1 large egg: Eggs are fantastic for binding everything together and add a little protein boost. Just one egg, whisked up, does the trick!
  • 1/4 cup water: This helps get the batter to the right consistency. Nothing fancy, just plain water.
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: This is what gives our mini cakes a little lift. Just a touch makes them nice and fluffy, not dense bricks!
Golden retriever dog gazes at a wooden board with four Spinach & Apple Mini Cakes, ready to enjoy the treat.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Spinach & Apple Mini Cakes

So, you want to tweak things a bit? No problem! If your pup has a sensitive tummy, you can totally swap out the whole wheat flour for oat flour or even brown rice flour. They work just as well and are gentler for some dogs. And about the applesauce โ€“ make sure itโ€™s just plain, unsweetened applesauce. You donโ€™t want any added sugars or artificial sweeteners, as those can be harmful. If you canโ€™t find unsweetened, just make sure itโ€™s 100% apples. Itโ€™s all about keeping it simple and healthy for our furry pals!

How to Prepare Your Spinach & Apple Mini Cakes โ€“ Recipe for Dogs

Okay, getting these little cakes ready is honestly super simple. So simple, in fact, that you might even get some enthusiastic supervision from your pup! First things first, letโ€™s get that oven warmed up. Youโ€™ll want to preheat it to 350ยฐF (thatโ€™s 175ยฐC). While that’s heating, grab your mini muffin tin and give it a good grease. I usually use a little bit of cooking spray or a tiny bit of coconut oil on a paper towel โ€“ just make sure you get all the nooks and crannies so nothing sticks! Now, in a big bowl, weโ€™re going to mix our dry ingredients. Just dump in the whole wheat flour and the baking powder. Give it a little whisk to make sure theyโ€™re all friends. In a separate, smaller bowl, itโ€™s time for the wet stuff. Whisk together your applesauce, that egg, and the water. You want it all nicely combined. Then, pour those wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix it all up until itโ€™s just combined. Donโ€™t go crazy here; a few little flour streaks are totally fine. Overmixing is the enemy of tender cakes, even dog cakes! The star of the show, our chopped spinach, goes in next. Gently fold it into the batter. You donโ€™t want to mash it all up, just get it nicely distributed. Then, spoon the batter into your greased mini muffin cups. Fill them about two-thirds of the way full so they have room to puff up a bit. Pop them into that preheated oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes. The best way to check if theyโ€™re done? Stick a toothpick in the center of one. If it comes out clean, theyโ€™re perfect! Let them cool in the tin for a few minutes before you carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Gotta let them cool down so your pup doesnโ€™t burn their tongue! Golden Retriever looking at Spinach & Apple Mini Cakes โ€“ Recipe for Dogs. Homemade dog treats on a wooden board.

Tips for Baking Perfect Spinach & Apple Mini Cakes

Want to make sure these turn out just right every single time? Here are a couple of things I always do. First, donโ€™t overmix the batter! Once the wet and dry ingredients are *just* combined, stop. A few little lumps are way better than a tough cake. Second, make sure you really let them cool completely before giving them to your furry friend. Hot cakes are a no-go! And finally, if you’re using a mini muffin tin that isn’t non-stick, don’t skip the greasing step โ€“ it makes life so much easier when you’re trying to get them out.

Serving and Storing Your Spinach & Apple Mini Cakes

Once these yummy little Spinach & Apple Mini Cakes are completely cool (seriously, wait for them to cool!), you can serve them up to your deserving pup. A good rule of thumb is to give them one or two cakes at a time, depending on their size and usual treat intake. Theyโ€™re a treat, after all! If you happen to have any left โ€“ which is rare in my house! โ€“ just pop them into an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge, and they should stay fresh for about 3 days. Easy peasy!

Frequently Asked Questions About Spinach & Apple Mini Cakes

Got questions about these cute little cakes? Iโ€™ve got answers! Itโ€™s always good to know the ins and outs, especially when it comes to our furry kids.

Estimated Nutritional Information for Spinach & Apple Mini Cakes

Now, I’m no nutritionist, and every dog is different, so keep in mind these are just estimates for each mini cake! The actual numbers can wiggle a bit depending on the brands you use and exactly how you measure. But generally, you’re looking at about 50 calories per cake, with just a little bit of sugar and sodium. Theyโ€™re pretty low in fat and have some good carbs and a touch of protein, which is awesome for a homemade treat like this. So you know you’re giving your pup something wholesome! Dont forget Delicious Chicken Veggie Patties For more recipes follow me on PINTEREST Print

Spinach & Apple Mini Cakes for Dogs

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Healthy and delicious mini cakes for your dog, made with spinach and apple.

  • Author: patricia
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 20 min
  • Total Time: 30 min
  • Yield: 12 mini cakes 1x
  • Category: Dog Treats
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh spinach
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Grease a mini muffin tin.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the whole wheat flour and baking powder.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the applesauce, egg, and water.
  4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
  5. Gently fold in the chopped spinach.
  6. Spoon the batter into the prepared mini muffin tin, filling each cup about two-thirds full.
  7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Let the cakes cool completely before serving to your dog.

Notes

  • Store any leftover cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • You can substitute whole wheat flour with oat flour or brown rice flour for dogs with sensitivities.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 mini cake
  • Calories: 50
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 10mg
  • Fat: 1g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 10g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 5mg

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