Birthdays are a time for celebration, and who deserves to be celebrated more than our beloved feline companions? This delightful Cat Birthday Cake recipe is the ultimate way to show your kitty just how much you care. Crafted with wholesome ingredients like savory pate, enticing catnip, and a smooth mashed potato “frosting,” this cake is not only easy to make but also completely customizable to suit even the most discerning feline palates.
If you’ve previously whipped up a dog birthday cake or pupcakes for your canine friends, now it’s time to treat your cats to something special designed just for them!
A decorated cat birthday cake with a lit blue candle, with a curious calico cat observing in the background.
A Special Cake for Your Furry Friend’s Special Day
Whether it’s your cat’s actual birthday, their adoption day, or simply a day to shower them with extra love, this adorable homemade cake is the purr-fect choice. Even picky eaters will find this cake irresistible! My sister’s cats, known for their selective tastes, absolutely devoured it. One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. You can easily adapt it based on your cat’s preferences. If you know your cat isn’t a fan of a particular ingredient, simply swap it out with something they love! (I’ve included some tasty variation ideas for you below).
The heart of this cake is a flavorful pate “filling.” Feel free to use your cat’s favorite pate flavor – the choice is yours! To elevate the taste and aroma, I’ve incorporated a secret ingredient: finely ground cat treats. This adds an extra layer of deliciousness that cats simply can’t resist. The cake is then elegantly “frosted” with plain mashed potatoes, creating a smooth and palatable topping. Get creative with decorations using your cat’s favorite treats and a sprinkle of catnip. Slice it up, and you have a delightful and shareable cat birthday cake that even dogs can enjoy in moderation!
Ingredients You’ll Need for the Ultimate Cat Cake
Here’s everything you’ll need to create this feline-friendly masterpiece. Remember, this recipe is adaptable! If your cat has dietary restrictions or dislikes any of the following ingredients, feel free to make substitutions. (Exact measurements are detailed in the recipe card at the end of this article.)
- Dry Cat Treats: We’ll be pulverizing some of these into a tempting powder to mix into the cake base. Don’t forget to set aside some whole treats for decoration! I used Temptations brand treats, but any variety your cat enjoys will work perfectly.
- Canned Pate Cat Food: Pate is essential for the cake’s structure. Avoid using shredded or gravy-based cat foods, as they are too liquid and won’t hold the cake’s shape.
- Plain Instant Mashed Potatoes: Opt for plain instant mashed potatoes. Avoid varieties with added seasonings or spices, as these can be harmful to your cat’s digestive system.
- Catnip: (For Garnish) Catnip not only adds a decorative touch but also makes the cake even more appealing to your feline friend.
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking a Cat Birthday Cake
Making this cake is surprisingly simple – even beginner bakers can master it! It’s a fun activity to involve kids in, especially the frosting and decorating stages.
- Prepare the Cat Treat Powder: Using a blender, spice grinder, or food processor, grind the dry cat treats into a fine powder. The finer the powder, the better it will incorporate into the pate.
- Mix the Pate Base: In a mixing bowl, combine the pate cat food (drain off any excess liquid if present) and the powdered cat treats. Mix thoroughly until well combined, creating a consistent mixture.
- Shape the Cake: Place a sheet of plastic wrap on a flat surface. Scoop the pate mixture onto the plastic wrap and wrap it tightly. Shape the mixture into a puck or ball, depending on your desired cake shape. For a more defined shape, you can gently press the wrapped mixture into a ramekin, small bowl, or mold. I used a 4-ounce ramekin to achieve a neat, round cake.
- Chill for Firmness: Refrigerate the shaped cake for 30-40 minutes. Chilling is crucial as it allows the cake to firm up and maintain its shape when unmolded.
- Transfer to Serving Dish: Once chilled and firm, carefully remove the cake from the plastic wrap and place it onto a serving plate or dish.
- Frost the Cake: Using an offset spatula, evenly “frost” the cat cake with the prepared instant mashed potatoes. For a more decorative finish, you can use a piping bag fitted with your favorite piping tip to create borders or patterns. Adjust the mashed potato consistency as needed. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit of water; if too thin, add a touch more instant potato powder until you achieve the desired spreading or piping consistency.
- Decorate and Delight: Sprinkle a generous pinch of catnip over the frosted cake to resemble colorful sprinkles. Decorate further with your cat’s favorite whole cat treats. Arrange them creatively on top and around the base of the cake.
Tips and Creative Variations
This cat birthday cake recipe is incredibly adaptable, allowing you to tailor it to your cat’s unique preferences and dietary needs.
- Pate Flavor Swaps: The base pate can be any flavor your cat adores! Tuna, salmon, chicken, turkey, or even rabbit – the possibilities are endless. Just ensure you stick with pate varieties for the right cake consistency. Avoid liquid-rich cat food types.
- Treat Variety: Feel free to use any brand or flavor of dry cat treats for the powdered mix and decorations, as long as they can be easily ground into a powder.
- Frosting Consistency is Key: The mashed potato “frosting” should be thick enough to hold its shape but spreadable. Add water gradually, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the perfect consistency. If you accidentally add too much water, simply thicken it up with a little more dry instant potato powder.
- Alternative Frostings: For cats who might not enjoy mashed potatoes, consider using pumpkin puree (plain, unsweetened) or sweet potato puree as a frosting alternative. These are both cat-safe and palatable options.
- Ramekin Alternatives for Shaping: Don’t have ramekins? No problem! Use any small bowl, Tupperware container, or even a cookie cutter to mold the cake into fun and festive shapes.
- Toppings Galore: Get creative with toppings! Decorate with your cat’s favorite small treats. A sardine or a couple of tiny canned shrimp can be a gourmet garnish (in moderation). Press catnip around the sides of the cake for extra visual appeal and aromatic delight, mimicking sprinkles. Have fun and make it the ultimate personalized kitty cake!
Storing Leftovers
This cake is meant to be a treat, not a meal! Feed your cat small “slices” over a couple of days rather than giving them the whole cake at once. To store leftovers, slice off a portion to serve and keep the remaining cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
More Easy Recipes for Your Furry Friends
Pupcakes (Dog Cupcakes)
Prep time: 35 mins
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Prep time: 4 hrs 5 mins
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Homemade Dog Treats
Prep time: 35 mins
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Cat Birthday Cake Recipe
Rated 5 out of 5 by readers
Treat your feline companions to this special cat birthday cake, crafted with pate, catnip, and a mashed potato “frosting.” It’s a simple, customizable recipe perfect for even the pickiest cats!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 1 Cake
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup dry cat treats (plus extra for decoration)
- 1 5.5 ounce can pate cat food
- ⅓ cup plain instant mashed potatoes, prepared according to package directions
- Catnip, for topping
Instructions
- Grind cat treats into a fine powder using a blender, spice grinder, or food processor.
- In a bowl, mix pate cat food (drained of excess liquid) and powdered cat treats until well combined.
- Scoop mixture onto plastic wrap, wrap tightly, and shape into a puck or ball. Alternatively, press the wrapped mixture into a ramekin or mold for a specific shape.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 30-40 minutes to firm.
- Once chilled, remove from plastic wrap and place on a serving plate.
- Frost the cake with instant mashed potatoes using an offset spatula or piping bag. Adjust consistency as needed with water or more potato powder.
- Sprinkle catnip on top and decorate with whole cat treats.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 237kcal
Carbohydrates: 16g
Protein: 37g
Fat: 2g
Saturated Fat: 0.4g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g
Cholesterol: 66mg
Sodium: 424mg
Potassium: 544mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 1g
Vitamin A: 107IU
Vitamin C: 16mg
Calcium: 39mg
Iron: 3mg
Nutritional information is an estimate.
Recipe Details
Course: Cat Treat
Cuisine: American
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