These adorable puppy-shaped cupcakes — “pupcakes” — were shared with us by Mykidstime parent Valerie. Her family made them for a cake sale raising funds for dog and pet charities, and they turned out so cute (and so popular) that we wanted to share the recipe with you too.
They’re a lovely one to make with kids, whether you’re baking for a school fundraiser, a dog-themed birthday party, or just a fun weekend project for animal lovers.
Ingredients
- Lemon cupcakes
- Regular buttercream icing
- Chocolate covered raisins
- Chocolate chips
- White and pink squashies
- Dog-patterned cupcake cases, if you can find them — Valerie found hers in a discount homeware store
Method
- Make a batch of cupcakes and ice them with the buttercream icing.
- Fluff up the icing on each cupcake with a fork to “roughen” it a bit — this gives that shaggy puppy-fur look.
- Use chocolate chips for eyes and chocolate covered raisins for the noses.
- Take the squashies sweets and use the white bits for the ears and the pink bits for the tongues.
As Valerie put it: “We had good fun making and taste-testing them!” That’s really the whole point — these are meant to be a relaxed, hands-on bake with the kids, not a perfect Pinterest recreation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cupcake flavour instead of lemon?
Yes — the lemon cupcake base works well because it’s light, but any plain vanilla or chocolate cupcake recipe will hold the decorations just as easily.
What can I use instead of squashies for the ears and tongues?
Any soft, pliable sweet in the right colours will work — the key is something you can shape by hand, so look for soft marshmallow-style or fondant-style sweets in white and pink.
How far in advance can I make these?
You can bake and ice the cupcakes a day ahead, then add the decorations closer to serving so the “fur” texture and features stay fresh and don’t dry out.
Are these suitable for a school or charity bake sale?
Absolutely — they were originally made for exactly that. Just check your school or organiser’s guidance on allergens, as these cupcakes contain nuts-adjacent ingredients like chocolate and sweets that may need labelling.
You Might Also Enjoy
Christmas Cupcakes — a festive twist on classic cupcake decorating, great for the whole family.
Banana, Cherry & White Chocolate Cupcakes — a fruity, family-friendly bake for any occasion.
Looking for more baking inspiration?
If you loved this recipe, browse more of our family-friendly recipes and save your favourites for your next baking day with the kids.
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