Theo the golden retriever's birthday party is this weekend, and I offered to make the cakes and treats for the doggy guests--so I figured, um, I had better practice!  I'm sharing what I came up with here--feel free to offer suggestions!  Theo is allergic to wheat, eggs, and all dairy products, so I'm going to have to put on my thinking cap when I make a special cake just for him.

PEANUT BUTTER CARROT CAKE

You will need:

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup honey
1 egg

Mix flour and baking soda. Add remaining ingredients and mix together well.

I decided to make individual cakes, so I bought a mini fluted tube pan:

You can use a regular muffin pan if you want, or an 8-in round cake pan.  Grease pan (or use cooking spray) and spoon in batter:

Bake at 350 degrees F.  My cakes were done in 12 minutes.  If you use a different sized pan, your cooking time will vary.  Just tap the top with your fingers and if it feels solid and springy, it's done.

Remove from tray and let cool completely.

Now you can decorate!  Take some vanilla chips (you can find them in the grocery store next to the chocolate chips...or use yogurt chips from the health food store) and melt them with a few drops of vegetable oil until you get a nice, drippy consistency.  Pour over cakes:

Let the vanilla set.  Next take carob chips (never chocolate chips!), melt them with a little vegetable oil too, and drizzle on top:

Now see the big sloppy mess you've made?   Use a spatula to carefully move the cake to a clean plate, spoon out some of the icing that fell in the center, and voila:

Of course, the real test is seeing how your dogs like them.  Augie and Ti were nice enough to volunteer to be test subjects.  Wasn't that kind of them?     Here they are, making annoyed faces at being told to wait:

When I said, "Go!" Ti quickly reached over, snatched up Augie's cake, then gobbled his own    Bad doggy!     I had to do it again, but hmmm, maybe that was their evil plan all along?     The second time went better for Augie, but if you look at Ti's eyes here, I think he was contemplating another grab!

Now here are some tips and variations:

If your dog is allergic to wheat, feel free to substitute another type of flour.  Be aware that the color of the cakes will probably be lighter.

If you'd rather not frost the cake with vanilla and carob, you could also try peanut butter, cottage cheese, cream cheese, plain yogurt, etc.  Raisins, chocolate, and grapes are all toxic to dogs, so be sure not to use them when making cakes for your furry friends.

Enjoy!