Birthday Cake: Peanut Butter & Banana

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY NIKO!!!!
 

It's a milestone birthday!! This is a VERY BIG day for my boy NIKO!! I missed his very first birthday when he turned 1 yr old, sitting in his bedroom (crate), home alone with just the sound of the TV when I was out with Crystal at her St. John's Ambulance Therapy Dog Exam.

Niko's Party Favors
Recipe: Crystal's Cheese Twists

Although we have traditionally celebrated NIKO's birthday with special doggie cakes, this is the first year we'll be celebrating without Crystal. But on a happier note, this is also NIKO's first birthday party with friends! We've been working very very hard especially in the past two years to recover from his fear aggression of other dogs. Up until August 2012, NIKO was isolated from other dogs and did not have any friends except Crystal, Ori & Bagel. I am so proud of this boy!!

This year, NIKO celebrated his birthday at his favorite forest with all his friends - Niko, Jumo, Jax, Luka, Beau, Zeus, Gurkha and he even made 3 new friends - Charlie, Butters & Rocky! And, to show his appreciation for his new-found friends, NIKO shared his birthday cake and gave out party favors to the entire pack that showed up ツ. He even received unexpected presents that we're so excited about!! Then, on monday night, night of his actual birthday - we celebrated at home with his samoyed brother with a cake all to themselves - spoiled ... rotten!

RECIPE: PEANUT BUTTER BANANA CAKE!

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INGREDIENTS 

Part I: The Cake

1      cup all purpose flour
1      teaspoon baking soda
1/4   cup unsalted creamy peanut butter *microwave for 30-45 seconds to make it runny
2      medium sized bananas mashed
1      egg
3/4   cup water

Part II: Frosting

12    ounce fat free cream cheese
2      tablespoons plain greek yogurt
1      tablespoon vanilla
1      teaspoon honey

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DIRECTIONS

The Cake

1.   Pre-heat oven to 375ºF
2.   Spray a standard 8 inch round cake pan with non-stick pan spray
3.   In a large mixing bowl, mix together the wet ingredients (egg, peanut butter, mashed bananas).
4.   Add in flour and baking soda.
5.   Add water last, as needed in order to create a mixture and consistency of a typical cake batter
6.   Pour the batter into the pan and bake for ~40 minutes
7.   Remove the cake from the pan and allow it to cool completely before frosting.


Frosting

1.  In a mixer, combine the non-fat cream cheese (room temperature), vanilla and honey.
2.  Spread frosting over the cake.

Peanut Butter & Banana Pupcakes & Cheese Twists Party Favors ❤

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This recipe has been taste-tested and approved by TheHuskies.

Disclaimer: The result of these baking recipes may result in having a dog permanently plastered to your kitchen floor, most likely by the oven. 
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