Molly's Birthday Donut Tower

You know Molly's birthday had to be different. We couldn't just have a plain ol' cake.

This is our same cake recipe. I thought about changing it up, but Molly absolutely LOVES this recipe. I can't keep any leftovers in my house because she will destroy anything that stands between her and the cake. 

I did change up the frosting. When I make cake I typically make a cream cheese based frosting. But as weird as it sounds, Molly does not like cream cheese. She only likes peanut butter and yogurt, so that is exactly what I used for the frosting. 

I ordered the balloons from Etsy, see link here. And then I grabbed the numbers from Hobby Lobby as well as the table cloth. Hobby Lobby had a lot of donut birthday decorations! OH! And I also found the CUTEST birthday crown at Hobby Lobby too! It did not come with elastic, so I just bought some in the fabric section and stabled it to the crown to stay on her head!

I bought the donut pan from Target to bake the donuts in. Click here to shop it!

Click For Printable Recipe

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Grease your donut pan.

Add the following ingredients to a mixing bowl:

1 egg

1/4 Cup of Peanut Butter (be sure this DOES NOT include any xylitol, it is poisonous to dogs)

1/4 Cup of Olive Oil

1 tsp of Vanilla

1/4 Cup of Honey

2 tsp of Cinnamon

1 Cup of Whole Wheat Flour

1 tsp of Baking Soda

 

Mix all of the ingredients together with a mixer. Add up to 1/2 cup of water until the batter reaches a cake like consistency to pour into your cake pan. 

Spoon in the batter in each donut filling. Fill 2/3 of the way full. Take a spoon and stir the batter in the donut filling to help blend together. This will help it bake better.

Cook for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick is clean after inserting into the donuts. Then turn the pan upside down on a cooling rack to cool. Allow the donuts to come out of the pan and cool.

To create frosting:

Mix 1/2 cup of plain yogurt and 1/2 cup of peanut butter to a bowl and mix together until blended. Dip the donuts individually in the frosting or spread the frosting on top of each donut.

To make it "chocolate" I simply add carob powder to the mixture. 

Sprinkles can be applied if you wish. I love the look of them, so I use them. 

Arrange the donuts on a plate or cake stand to display. I started with 4 on the bottom layer, then the second layer had 3, then 2 then 1. 

How to Keep Your Aging Pet Healthy and Happy

Photo Credit: https://www.jennagordonphoto.com/

How to Keep Your Aging Pet Healthy and Happy

by Nick Burton, www.ourbestdoggo.com

There is nothing quite like the joy that a pet can bring. No matter their age, they will always be babies in our eyes. However, we need to ensure that as their bodies change, we adapt with them to make their lives easier. Here is how you can ensure your pet leads their best life as they gradually transition into their golden years.

Changing Their Diet

As our furry friends grow older, their diets will need to change to reflect the alterations in their bodies. However, don't assume that cats' needs and dogs' needs are the same, either. While dogs may need fewer calories as they grow older, cats spend more energy as they age; this means they require more calories than they did before. Senior cats also need plenty of protein, even more than when they were kittens. They may not absorb it as well as when they were spritely, however, so always get food that is formulated for them. Dogs, however, benefit from lower calorie foods with less fats. Antioxidants and omega-3s can keep your pup in good shape; therefore, look for meals that support these needs.

Useful Accessories

Getting around can become a trial in our pets' later years. To make their lives more comfortable, add some accessories. This could mean buying a pet stroller so you pet can still get outside, or pet stairs to help your older pooch get onto the couch or into the car. Of course, you'll want to understand which options are best for your dog's size and needs before making an investment. Thankfully, the internet is full of owner and professional reviews to guide you. You might also get extra cushioned beds to keep pressure off of their joints. There are even toys geared specifically for older pets, so they can still have gentle enrichment despite their increasing age.