Treat Your Pup to These Fancy Pup Cups with a Pumpkin and Cinnamon Twist
For a guaranteed boost of serotonin, treat your dog to a Puppuccino—better known as a “Pup Cup”—and watch the magic happen. There’s nothing quite like seeing a blissed-out pup’s snout covered in whipped cream after gobbling up this beloved, dog-friendly treat.
A simple, not-so-secret menu item, the classic Pup Cup is merely a small cup filled to the brim with whipped cream. That’s all—and yet it’s a total hit among pet parents and their dogs. Why? Not only do we love watching our pups scarf down the treat while we sip our own latte, but Pup Cups are also free. Who doesn’t love free things?
This fall, we’re giving the Pup Cup an elevated, healthier, pinkies-up twist—infusing it with seasonal favorites like pumpkin and cinnamon. We have cookbook authors and Trunk Pop Dinners co-founders Marge Perry and David Bonom to thank for these two delicious new recipes.
“Our fur kids love the Pup Cups,” says Marge. “They are really fun to watch when they eat it. We love when they look up and they have white froth mustaches.”
Ready to make some pumpkin and cinnamon Pup Cups? Light a pumpkin spice candle, and let’s get mixing. Pair it with your favorite dog-friendly biscotti recipe for the full fall experience!
Important note: As with any human food, pet parents looking to incorporate new foods into their dog’s diet should consult with their veterinarian beforehand.
Cinnamon and Sweet Potato Pie Pup Cup
- Yield: 1 Pup Cup
- Serving size: ½ to 1 Pup Cup (depending on your dog’s size)
- Prep time: 5–10 minutes
- Total time: 5–10 minutes
With a hearty sweet potato and peanut butter base, this Pup Cup goes beyond whipped-cream-in-a-cup and serves up a slice of “pie” for your pup. Of course, the “pie” wouldn’t be complete without a generous heap of whipped topping sprinkled with cinnamon.
“If you don’t already have a frother, this is a great reason to get one—for both you and the furkids!” says Marge. “I use it now for my coffee, and every time it comes out, my little guy comes running because he thinks there’s a Puppuccino in his near future.”
Ingredients and Supplies
- 2-inch chunk peeled sweet potato
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened natural peanut butter
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 ounces pasteurized egg whites (sold in cartons in the refrigerated dairy section)
- Frother
- Mixing bowl
- 4-ounce cup
Instructions
- Boil or microwave the sweet potato until very soft. Mash it until smooth with a fork, then combine with the peanut butter.
- Use a frother to whip the egg whites until fairly stiff peaks form. Add a heaping spoonful to the peanut butter mixture and stir to incorporate.
- Pour into a 4-ounce cup and top with the remaining whipped egg whites. Sprinkle lightly with a pinch of cinnamon.
Pinkies Up Pumpkin Puppuccino
- Yield: 1 Pup Cup
- Serving size: ½ to 1 Pup Cup (depending on your dog’s size)
- Prep time: 5–10 minutes
- Total time: 5–10 minutes
Ooh—you so fancy.
This Pumpkin Pup Cup combines plain nonfat Greek yogurt with pumpkin puree and is topped with a frothy oat milk layer, which is perfectly safe for dogs in moderation. According to Dr. Stephanie Howe, DVM, Pet Health Representative for FurPetVo, oat milk can be a “great addition” to a sweet treat for your dog.
“Oats are a common ingredient in dog food, because they have great health benefits—including large quantities of B vitamins and omega fatty acids,” Dr. Howe says. “Oat milk is usually derived from oats soaked in water, which keeps all the great vitamins and nutrients in the resulting milk. Sometimes sugar is added, which makes it a bit less healthy—but in moderation, oat milk can be a great addition to a sweet treat for your dog.”
Sprinkle the Puppuccino with your pup’s favorite dog treats—orange-hued ones, if possible, to stay on theme!—for a familiar, irresistible topper.
Ingredients and Supplies
- ⅓ cup cold oat milk
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon plain nonfat Greek yogurt, divided
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- Dog treats, finely ground
- Frother
- Tall glass
- 4-ounce cup
- Blender or food processor
Instructions
- Combine the oat milk and 1 teaspoon of the yogurt in a tall glass until well blended. Use a frother to whip the mixture until it triples in volume. Let stand in the refrigerator for 3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, blend the pumpkin puree and remaining tablespoon of yogurt in the bottom of a 4-ounce cup.
- Use a spoon to hold back the froth and pour the milk from the bottom of the glass into the pumpkin mixture. Stir gently to blend.
- Spoon the froth on top and sprinkle with your dog’s favorite treats.
Brew 3 Barista-Style Fall Drinks for Dogs
Now that you’re a pro at making Pup Cups for your fur babies, it’s time to craft a dog-friendly latte—and FurPetVo has just the recipes for you. (Don’t worry: none contain coffee or caffeine—you should never give your dog coffee.)
The Carrot-Maple Latte features cooked carrot puree, oatmeal, a touch of maple syrup, and a dash of cinnamon. The Not-So-Salted “Mocha” Latte blends liquid coconut oil, peanut butter, and crushed dog biscuits. And last but certainly not least—the pup-friendly Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL)—so your dog can join in on all the PSL festivities this fall, too.
PSL season? More like Pup Cup season!
“Best of all was seeing how our dogs—and then pups in the neighborhood—reacted to the Pup Cups. They were a hit—and the wagging tails and froth on those happy furry faces was a blast,” Marge says.
This recipe was designed for dogs and reviewed by a veterinarian. It is intended as a special treat or snack and should be given in small quantities. Treats should only constitute a small percentage of your pet’s daily food. Feeding too many treats can lead to nutrient deficiencies. If your pet has health issues—including food allergies or sensitivities to lactose—or if you have any concerns, consult your pet’s veterinarian before offering this food item.
