Please welcome our guest Cate Conte! Cate writes the Cat Cafe Mysteries and the new Full Moon Mysteries. As Liz Mugavero, she writes the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries, the first of which was an Agatha Award nominee for Best First Novel. She lives in Connecticut with her rescue pals.
Take it away, Cate!
Who says dogs can’t enjoy the holidays too?
I love Thanksgiving. Which is odd because I don’t eat meat, right? But it really has nothing to do with the meal. It’s all about the feeling the holiday brings, the gratitude it inspires, and yes, the vegan meals I’ve been ordering from Whole Foods the past few years (they are SO good!)
I like to think that Thanksgiving is especially poignant for all the rescue pups and kitties out there. Even though they may not know that the day is a holiday specifically, I’m sure they feel the vibes that come from a safe, warm home with people in it who are equally thankful for them, as they are for their humans.
And what better way to show our thanks for their constant love, companionship and comfort than baking them some homemade treats?
I have to admit that I’m not a big cook or baker. I just can’t seem to find the time to devote to it. But while I’m not always keen on taking the time for myself, I’ll make an exception to give the pups something special. And since they don’t get leftover turkey (because I don’t eat it), I usually feel guilty enough that it will send me to the kitchen.
So
this Thanksgiving, their holiday table will include apple and cheddar pupcakes
- a healthy, human-consumable treat that can be made either gluten free, or
with regular flour. My babies love this one - I hope yours will too!
And because it’s Thanksgiving and a time for thanks, I’m giving away one copy of my new book, Claws for Alarm, to a commenter here. Tell me what you like to give your favorite furries as a special holiday treat!
With gratitude for all the readers out there,
Cate/Liz
Apple & Cheddar Pupcakes
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour ( 1-1 gluten-free flour)
1/4 cup Traditional Rolled Oats
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 cup Applesauce
1/2 cup Water
1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
2 tbsp Honey
2 Eggs
1 Apple - peeled, cored and minced
1 cup Grated Cheddar Cheese
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line muffin tins with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, oats, baking powder and baking soda. In a medium bowl, whisk together the applesauce, water, oil, honey and eggs, then stir in the apple and cheese. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and stir until just barely blended.
3. Spoon the batter into the muffin tins, filling almost full (you may have a couple spoonfuls of batter leftover). Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the tins for a few minutes and then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Yields: 8-10
Cate's Giveaway
I’m giving away one copy of Whisker of a Doubt
#4 in the series
to one commenter here.
Tell me what you like to give your favorite furries as a special holiday treat!
Remember to leave your email so I can contact you.
I love to give xmas catnip toys to my kitty! Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteJess
maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
My guys love catnip toys too! Although the dogs usually take them and destroy them :(
DeleteThank you for the recipe for Apple & Cheddar Pupcakes. We do love to spoil our furbaby. He a chihuahua that just turned 16 years old so he deserved to be spoiled. :) He loved it when I make him homemade chicken jerky. It's a special treat that's high in protein, contains no byproducts and is good for him.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate the chance to win a copy of "Claws for Alarm". It's on my TBR list and I can't wait for the opportunity to read it. Great title and cover which I'm sure will be drawing folks to pick up the book for a closer examination.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Oh my gosh 16! That's amazing! And thank you :)
DeleteOne of my dogs seem to get tummy troubles if I give her anything besides her dog food even if it's homemade. So for a special holiday treat they get stuffy toys. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteStuffy toys are always a good deal too! My dogs destroy them so they can only have the super tough toys.
DeleteMy cat Hemi always gets a new toy and some of her favorite tuna flake treats. I'll save out some safe food for her from our holiday meal. She loves turkey and if we make any pumpkin dessert she's more than willing to finish off any leftover plain pumpkin.
ReplyDeletekozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love that. My dogs are getting turkey this year too. I always make them some even though I don't eat it.
DeleteMy dog gets bark boxes every month, so she’s super spoiled. My kitties get lots of their fav treats and extra canned kitty food. The recipe sounds yummy, even for humans. I appreciate the chance to win a book - it sounds great and I’d love the opportunity to check it out! michelle_english_major (at) Hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love bark boxes! They are so fun.
DeleteMy cats get nothing special other than there temptation cat treats.
ReplyDeletePugpower63 at Gmail dot com
Those are my cats' favorites too, especially Jack. He is OBSESSED with them....
DeleteI have no furries to feed, but I'd make make muffins for me with your recipe :-) Thank you for sharing it, Liz
ReplyDeleteAww thanks Maya!
DeleteOur tabby Evie Marie loves steamed shrimp more than anything else, so she always gets that on special occasions. Our hounds would probably enjoy these pupcakes, so we need to try them.
ReplyDeletebrowninggloria(at)hotmail(dot)com
Steamed shrimp is a nice snack! Let me know how the dogs like them if you make them!
DeleteI have 4 kitties and each likes different treats lol. But they ALL love catnip mice! So, while it isn't something to eat....I like to find different holiday themed catnip filled toys for them to enjoy! The book sounds GREAT! Thanks for the chance to win! ladyofshalott03(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteJohnny, my cat who is the model for JJ in the books, loved catnip mice. They were his absolute favorite. I miss that orange guy so much...
DeleteI have no fur babies as husband is allergic BUT I have a couple granddaughters with cats and a son with four cats and two dogs. They believe in rescuing their animals. I am going to try the recipe tho'!!
ReplyDeleteI love that they rescue! I hope they enjoy the treats :)
DeleteMy dog who loves treats gets certain biscuits which are so enticing. His toys are always updated since they bring him enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteNice! Our furbabies are all so spoiled :)
DeleteUnfortunately I don't have a furry anymore. My mini-schnauzer crossed the Rainbow Bridge when my kids were little. The co-op we live in doesn't allow pets. (then why do they allow children?) I used to slip Cuddles food from my plate (mom was a terrible cook) and Cuddles would gobble it down.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry Nora (and I'm totally with you on the kids!)
DeleteMy little dog Albert gets a new toy or two at Christmas. During Thanksgiving he always gets a few bites of turkey, which he loves, and it's a couple bites of ham at Christmas. He's in heaven when those days roll around.
ReplyDeletesmurphee@yahoo.com
I love the name Albert - it's adorable!!
DeleteThe three kitties get catnip toys and new cardboard scratching pads that sit on the floor.
ReplyDeletekimheniadis at gmail dot com
Nice, Kim. Catnip toys seem to be the winner for all the kitties out there.
DeleteThese sound like tasty morsels, for dogs and humans!
ReplyDeletelibbydodd at comcast dot net
They definitely are!
DeleteLibby, congrats. You're the winner of the giveaway from Cate Conte aka Liza Mugavero by random number selection. I'll put the two of you in touch. ~ Daryl
DeleteRescue pups are the best! I make a batch of peanut butter, bananas and yogurt and freeze them. They get one every day after dinner. They love them.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea! I'm going to have to try it.
DeletePita my cat gets extra treats and toys. I buy her something that she hasn't tried yet, because it might turn out to be her next favorite treat. I love this series. Thank you for this chance! areewekidding(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThat's so sweet!! And thank you so much!
DeleteYou are the best furry-creature mom out there, Liz/Cate! My copy of the new book is on order, and I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteAww thanks Edith.
DeleteI’m not sure if my previous comment took. I don’t have any pets right now, but your recipe is great! Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThank you Kara!
ReplyDeleteFor a special treat, my dog enjoys Frosty Paws
ReplyDeletejtcgc at yahoo dot com
I always give my cats new catnip toys for Christmas and squeaky toys for my Sister's dog. They also get their usual treats.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Our furbabies always get a little taste of turkey. At Christmas the dogs always get a new stuffy toy and treats and the cats get a catnip toy and treats. My Sassy cat would never forgive me if I didn't get her kitty treats. She lives for them. bella_ringer@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy babies like cardboard scratching boxes. They are a mess but the babies love them. So the get new ones for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI forgot my email! Shobrock66@gmail. Com
ReplyDelete