Treat Your Pup to These Fancy Pup Cups with a Pumpkin and Cinnamon Twist

For a guaranteed boost of serotonin, treat a 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 the dog-friendly and dog-favorite Starbucks treat.

A simple, not-so-secret menu item, the Starbucks Pup Cup is merely a small cup filled to the brim with whipped cream. That’s all. And as bare-bones and straight-forward as this treat is, it’s a total hit among pet parents and their dogs. Why? Well, not only do us pet parents love watching their doggie scarf down the treat while we simultaneously sip on our own ‘ccino, but the Pup Cups are also free—and who doesn’t love free things?

This fall, though, we’re giving the Pup Cup an elevated, healthier, pinkies-up kind of twist–infusing some of our favorite fall flavors and ingredients. And we have cookbook authors and Trunk Pop Dinners co-founders Marge Perry and David Bonom to thank for these two 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 our dog-friendly biscotti recipe for the full fall experience!

Remember, as with any human food, pet parents looking to incorporate new foods in their dog’s diet should consult with their veterinarian beforehand.

Yield:
1 Pup Cup

Serving size:
1/2 to 1 Pup Cup (depending on size of dog)

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 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.”

• 2-inch chunk peeled sweet potato
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened natural peanut butter
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 ounces pasteurized egg whites (pasteurized egg whites are sold in cartons in the refrigerated dairy section)
• Frother
• Mixing bowl
• 4 ounce cup

1. Boil or microwave the sweet potato until it is very soft. Mash it until smooth with a fork. Combine with the peanut butter.

2. 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.

3. Pour into a 4-ounce cup and top with the remaining whipped whites. Sprinkle lightly with a pinch of cinnamon.

Yield:
1 Pup Cup

Serving size:
1/2 to 1 Pup Cup (depending on size of dog)

Prep time:
5-10 minutes

Total time:
5-10 minutes

Ooh, you so fancy.

This Pumpkin Pup Cup combines Greek yogurt with pumpkin puree and is topped with a frothy oat milk topping, which is perfectly OK for dog consumption. In moderation, oat milk can be a “great addition” to a sweet treat for your dog, says Dr. Stephanie Howe, DVM, Pet Health Representative for Chewy Health.

“Oats are a common ingredient in dog food, because they have great health benefits, which include 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 treats, if possible, to stay on theme!) for a familiar, irresistible topper.

• 1/3 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/food processor

1. Combine the oat milk and 1 teaspoon of the yogurt in a tall glass until well blended. Once blended, use a frother to whip the milk until it is about tripled in volume. Let stand in the refrigerator for 3 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, blend the pumpkin puree and remaining tablespoon of yogurt in the bottom of a 4-ounce cup.

3. Use a spoon to hold back the froth and pour the milk from the bottom of the glass into the pumpkin puree. Stir to blend.

4. Spoon the froth on top of the blend and sprinkle with your dog’s favorite treats.

Now that you’re a pro at making Pup Cups for your fur babies, it’s time to make a dog-friendly latte—and you better believe we have just the recipes for you to make. (Don’t worry, none have any coffee or caffeine; you should never give your dog coffee.)

The Carrot-Maple Latte features puree cooked carrots, oatmeal, maple syrup and a dash of cinnamon, while the Not-So-Salted “Mocha” Latte combines liquid coconut oil, peanut butter and crushed dog biscuits, among other tasty ingredients. Last but certainly not least is the pup-friendly Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL)—so your dog can join in on all the PSL festivities this fall, too.

Get all three recipes here.

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.