YODA’S BIRTHDAY CAKE

This year, we’re throwing a big celebration for Yoda as he turns 4, and I couldn’t be more excited! It feels like just yesterday that this little cutie wandered into my life, full of spirit and personality. From his quirky antics to those adorable head tilts, Yoda has filled our days with joy and laughter. He’s not just a pet; he’s family.

Adopting him was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Watching him go from a wounded street pup to the happy, lovable goofball he is now has been a heartwarming journey. I still remember the first time he curled up beside me, trusting me to keep him safe. Every wag of his tail and every slobbery kiss reminds me of how lucky we are to have him.

So, to celebrate his special day, I’m making Yoda a birthday cake that’s as unique as he is! This isn’t just any cake; it’s a delicious, dog-friendly creation filled with his favorite goodies—bananas, carrots, and peanut butter. I can already picture him sniffing it with those big, soulful eyes, ready to devour it like the little champ he is. This cake is more than just a treat; it’s a celebration of all the love, laughter, and adventures we’ve shared over the past four years. Here’s to Yoda—my loyal buddy, my best friend, and the greatest adventure of all!

WHAT YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT THIS

• Dog friendly
• Sugar-free
• Gluten-free
• Healthy

INGREDIENTS USED IN YODA’S BIRTHDAY CAKE

• Bananas

Bananas add natural sweetness to the cake, making it more palatable for dogs without the need for added sugars, which are unhealthy for them. Bananas contribute moisture to the cake, helping to keep it soft and moist. This makes the texture more tender and easy to chew for dogs. The mashed bananas help bind the ingredients together, similar to the role of eggs, preventing the cake from crumbling. This is particularly useful in gluten-free recipes, like this one with oat flour.

Bananas are rich in vitamins (such as vitamin C and vitamin B6), potassium, and fiber, adding some nutritional benefits to the cake for your dog.

• Carrots

Carrots add a mild, natural sweetness without any added sugar, making the cake more appealing to dogs without unhealthy ingredients.  Carrots are rich in vitamins like vitamin A (from beta-carotene), vitamin K, and vitamin C. Vitamin A is great for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and vision in dogs.

Grated carrots provide extra moisture, which contributes to the cake’s softness and prevents it from becoming dry.

• Eggs

Eggs help bind the ingredients together, preventing the cake from crumbling and ensuring it holds its shape during and after baking. It provides structure and contribute to the cake’s rise by trapping air within the batter, making it lighter and fluffier. Eggs subtly enhance the flavour of the cake, adding richness without overpowering other ingredients like banana and carrot.

• Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt provides a smooth, creamy texture, making it an ideal base for the frosting. It gives the frosting a spreadable consistency that’s easy to apply and creates a visually appealing finish. Greek yogurt is high in protein, which is beneficial for dogs’ muscle health. It contains probiotics, which can promote healthy digestion and gut health in dogs.

The thicker consistency of Greek yogurt compared to regular yogurt ensures the frosting holds its shape better and doesn’t run off the cake.

• Peanut butter

Peanut butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that many dogs love, making the cake and frosting more appealing to them. In the batter, peanut butter helps bind the ingredients together, improving the texture and cohesion of the cake, especially since it is gluten-free. When mixed with Greek yogurt, peanut butter adds creaminess and thickness to the frosting, making it easier to spread and giving the frosting a smooth, luscious finish. In the cake batter, peanut butter adds moisture and helps create a denser, more satisfying texture that is soft and chewable for dogs.

• Oats flour

Oat flour acts as the primary flour, providing a gluten-free alternative to traditional wheat flour, making the cake easier to digest for dogs, especially those with sensitivities to gluten. Oats, even when ground into flour, have a naturally sticky quality that helps bind the ingredients together, creating a cohesive and well-structured cake. Oat flour has a mild, slightly nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients, like bananas, carrots, and peanut butter, without overpowering them.

• Baking powder

Baking powder  helps the cake rise by releasing carbon dioxide when mixed with liquid and exposed to heat. This creates air bubbles in the batter, making the cake light and fluffy. The leavening action helps the cake cook more evenly by expanding the batter, preventing it from becoming overly dense or gummy in the center.

Since the recipe is gluten-free (using oat flour), baking powder is especially important to give the cake structure and height, compensating for the lack of gluten that typically helps hold the cake together.

EQUIPMENT USED FOR MAKING YODA’S BIRTHDAY CAKE

This doggy birthday cake comes together in minutes and needs just one bowl and a few measuring cups and measuring spoons to make.

You also require an oven to bake this cake.

Whisks and spatulas always come in handy and are my favourite tools to use in the kitchen.

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TIPS TO MAKE YODA’S BIRTHDAY CAKE

1. Use ripe bananas as they are sweeter and easier to mash. They also bind the cake better.
2. Use natural peanut butter without added sugar or xylitol (an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs). Make sure it only contains peanuts and maybe a little salt.
3. If you’re making oat flour at home by grinding oats, ensure it’s finely ground for a smoother batter. This will help the cake rise and cook evenly.
4. Let the cake cool completely before frosting. If the cake is warm, the yogurt and peanut butter frosting will melt and slide off.
5. Ensure the frosting is thick enough by adjusting the yogurt-to-peanut butter ratio. If it’s too runny, add more peanut butter or chill it for a few minutes before frosting.
6. Store the cake in the fridge since it contains perishable ingredients like yogurt. It will last about 3-5 days refrigerated.

YODA’S BIRTHDAY CAKE

 

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Ingredients

• 2 Bananas
• 2 grated carrots
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup peanut butter
• 1 cup oats flour
• ½tsp baking powder
• Frosting
• 1cup Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup peanut butter

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and grease and line a 6-inch cake tin.
2. In a bowl add 2 bananas and mash them together. Then add grated carrots, eggs and peanut butter and give it a good mix.
3. Lastly add oats flour, baking powder and whisk it till you achieve a smooth batter.
4. Pour the batter in the lined cake pan and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35minutes or until a skewer inserted in centre comes out clean.
5. For the frosting, take Greek yogurt and add in peanut butter in it. Combine it together and the frosting is ready.
6. Frost the cake with prepared frosting.

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If you like my Yoda’s Birthday Cake recipe and happen to make them in your kitchen, do tag me on Instagram and share pictures with me using #Bakewithshivesh. Happy Baking!