Tasty Tuesday: Mother's Day Cake

The dog daddy at our house likes to bake.  

I love this, however my thighs are not so thrilled.  

For Mother's Day, he and the critters presented me with a lovely bouquet of tulips, a fanastic dinner (bacon wrapped filet mignon, fancy baked potatoes, fresh asparagus, great wine and this cake.

When you read how involved the recipe is, you'll understand that my Mother's Day cake was made with lots of love.

Warning:  just looking at this cake will probably add calories! 

It is the best chocolate cake I've ever put in my mouth!  It really should be called "death by chocolate!"  Here's the recipe:

Chocolate Pumpkin Cake
1 1/2 cups flour
2/3 cup cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup canned pumpkin 
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup butter softened
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs, plus one yolk

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Line the bottoms of two 8 inch cake pans with parchment paper and lightly butter.  Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together.  Stir the buttermilk, plumkin, and vanilla extract together in a small bowl.  Beat the butter and sugars together using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.  Beat in the eggs and yolk, one at a time.  reduce mixer speed to low and alternately beat in the flour and buttermilk mixtures in gthirds.  Pour the batter into the prepared pans.  Bake until a tester, inserted in the center, comes out clean - about 35 minutes.  Cool layers completely before icing.

There are two steps to finish this masterpiece!
 
Step 1 - Frosting:
Beat 6 ounces softened cream chese using a mixer set on medium high speed until fluffy.  Add 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar, 2 1/4 teaspoons cocoa, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and 3/4 teaspoon vanilla and beat on low speed until well combined.  In a separate bowl, beat 1 1/2 cups heavy cream with 3/4 cups confectioners sugar and a scant 1/4 teaspoon food coloring (he used red for pink) on medium-high to soft peaks.  Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until well combined.  Spread 1 cup frosting between the two layers and use the reamining frosting to ice the top and sides of the cake.  chill 30 minutes and proceed to step 2.

Step 2 - Glaze:
Place 4 ounces of chopped bittersweet chocolate, 1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter, and 3 tabelspoons corn syrup in a medium heatproof bowl.  Bring 1/2 cup heavy cream to a boil, pour it over the chocolate and let sit for 3 minutes.  Gently stir, using a whisk, until smooth.  Let sit for 3 to 5 minutes, until the glaze thickens slightly.  Pour the glaze onto the4 center of the frosted cake and smooth out to the edges to allow the glaze to drip over the sides.

Enjoy!

Tasty Tuesday: We Won Honest Kitchen Smooches

A few weeks ago, I was the very lucky winner of a box of Smooches from The Honest Kitchen at Roxy the Traveling Dog.

Thank you so much, Roxy and Torrey!

Jeffie, Rudy and Rosie were thrilled to taste these all natural dog treats made with free-range chicken and cranberries.

Smooches ingredients:  barley flour, chicken, molasses, water, eggs, coconut oil, cranberries and parmesan cheese.

Each Smooch is a sweet little heart and only 2.3 calories!

 

Is this what you call: waiting with baited breath?

 

 

 

Rudy didn't hesitate!

 Jeffie thought Smooches were lip smacking good!

These are gourmet healthy dog treats that our dogs find delicious!  It's easy to see why these are favorites of Roxy and Torrey.  We love them, too!

KONG Premium Jerky Dog Treats: Product Review and Giveaway

Jeffie's birthday party continues!  

What would a dog's birthday party be without treats?!

When we were contacted by JAKKS Pacific, Incl, and asked to give their new dog treats a try, the dogs said:  YES!

After learning that JAKKS Pets has partnered with the KONG Company to create their Premium Treat Line, the humans said: YES!  As we learned more about them, we were happy to agree to let them send us some of their new dog jerky treats for a taste testing, review and a giveaway!

Be sure to enter because 3 lucky winners will receive 1 package each:

• KONG Chewy Treats Natural Jerky - Beef
• KONG Chewy Treats Natural Jerky - Chicken
• *Bonus* KONG Long Lasting Chews - KONG Chew Buddies, Puppy Teething Loaf, Ham Shank or Drumstick (depending on the size of your dog.)

 

You may have already heard about the new KONG Premium Treat line.  Their jerky treats are all natural and include NO wheat, soy, corn, or animal by-products.  Plus, no artificial colors or artificial preservatives.

Varieties include:

• KONG Natural Jerky Strips - 92% real meat and come in Beef and Chicken.
• KONG Meat Stix - KONG Beef Meat Stix include apples, carrots, and extra vitamins.  KONG Lamb Meet Stix include salmon for Omega 3 and 6 for a healthier skin and coat.
• KONG Thick Cut Jerky - the beef treats include blueberries, peas and ginger.  The turkey includes cranberries, carrots and sweet potato.
• KONG Meaty Flavor Bites - real bacon, real beef, and real cheese.
• KONG Mini Meaty Bites come in beef and chicken.  Sized for training and rewarding.
• KONG Sweet Potato Stix - vegan treats include sweet potato, carrots and peas.
• KONG Crunchy Flavor Bars - Lamb with blueberries, peas and apples;  Chicken with cranberries, carrots, broccoli, and peas.
• KONG Dental Chews - chicken, calcium for puppies and seniors, and fresh breath with alfalfa and parsley varieties.
• KONG Small and Large chew Buddies
• KONG Puppy Teething Loaf

We received:

1. KONG Chewy Treats Thick Cut Jerky in beef flavor:  92% real US-sourced beef with chicory, lecithin, salt, cultured whey, mixed tocopherols, and garlic.
2. KONG Chewy Treats Thick Cut Jerky in chicken flavor: 92% real US-sourced chicken with chicory, lecithin, salt, cultured whey, mixed tocopherols, and garlic.
3. KONG Chew Treats Chew Buddies in a variety pack: bacon, chicken and fresh breath. (Ingredients vary.)

It would be a serious understatement to say all three dogs loved these treats!  As we opened the bags, the smell of jerky filled the room.  And it smelled good to the humans, too

Beef?  Chicken?  They liked them both.  We didn't try stuffing them into our KONG toys, but that would be great for treat time!

We like the new KONG Premium Jerky dog treats because they're made in the United States with real beef and chicken.  After all the recalls of pet jerky treats made in China, it is a relief to know that KONG makes a safe, natural jerky dog treat!  

KONG's Premium line of jerky treats was developed with special attention to oral care, skin and coat maintenance and allergy concerns.

The Chew Buddies (shown above) help clean teeth and they're available in two sizes:  small and large. They come in fun animal shapes.  Jeffie particularly enjoyed the squirrel!

We're glad to give the new KONG Premium Jerky dog treats an all paws up recommendation.  They're already on our shopping list!

For more information about these new dog treats, visit KONG on the web or the KONG Treats Facebook page.

Now, I know you'd like to try some of these barking good treats!  So, follow the directions in the Rafflecopter below for chances to win some for yourself.  (Sorry, this giveaway is open to only those folks with US shipping addresses.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this review.  I received 3 packages of KONG Premium dog treats in exchange for my honest opinion.  Talking Dogs only shares information and products that we support.

 

Good Dog Take Outs Treat Giveaway

We have good news for you!

Remember our product review of Good Dog Take Outs pet treats?  Well, now six lucky pet households can give them a taste test, too!

You read that right.  Six lucky pet people will win their choice of two 4 ounce boxes of healthy, all natural, tasty treats!

Note that I said PET people.  Cat lovers rejoice because you can win Good Dog Take Outs cat treats!  

Good Dog Take Outs offers two selections for cats:

1. 100% Organic Catnip Treats
2. Cheesey Kat Nibbles

Dog Treats can be selected from the following flavors:

1. Mint Flavor
2. Peanut Butter Flavor
3. Grandmas Molasses Cookies
4. Original Flavor
5. Egg and Cheesy Herb

Good Dog Take Outs are handmade with simple, clean, wholesome ingredients.  They use no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.  Made in the USA by pet owners who care about the quality and safety of their treats, Good Dog Take Outs are a favorite of Talking Dogs. 

The Rafflecopter giveaway form below offers you lots of chances to win!  You can even tweet about this giveaway every day for extra chances!

Note:  Are you getting a malware notice?  We've checked and there's no malware here!  Sometimes the Rafflecopter will trigger a false warning, especially in the Chrome browser.  Please consider coming back with a different browser and entering!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Dogs Bark Bakery Dog Treats Product Review

When the Dogs Bark Bakery offered to send us some dog treats to sample in exchange for our honest review, we were happy to oblige.  

Jeffie and Rudy liked the idea of gourmet dog treats.  I liked a number of things about their products.

The Dogs Bark Bakery dog treats are:

• Preservative free
• 100% natural
• Human grade ingredients
• Calorie conscious ingredients
• No meat or meat by-products are used.
• Hand crafted and baked fresh

Ronda, the owner (and baker) is a dog lover who's been to cooking school.  She's a believer in the slow food movement and The Dogs Bark Bakery shops locally grown whenever possible.  Fresh and home baked is essential to this California small business.

The Dogs Bark fresh baked dog treats are available in two sizes - BARKS for big dogs and BITES for smaller dogs - and in nine flavors:

• Vegan Blueberry Banana Delights
• Cinnamon Rolls
• Pumpkin Pie Bites
• Banana Biscotti
• Veggie Donuts
• Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
• Parmesan Crackers
• Tomato Garlic Biscotti
• Breath Refreshers

The Talking Dogs were sent one package each of Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Pie Bites.  Very festive choices for this season!  Rudy thought they smelled very good!

Cinnamon Rolls dog treats contain whole wheat flour, honey, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla, cinnamon and are finished with a sugar free yogurt drizzle. Guaranteed analysis:

• Crude protein  12%
• Crude fat   2%
• Crude fiber  1%
• Moisture  11%

Pumpkin Pie Bites contain whole wheat flour, pumpkin, buttermilk, vegetable shortening, egg, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.  The Dogs Bark Bakery recommends these as great for dogs with sensitive stomachs.  Both packages recommended refrigeration.  Guaranteed analysis:

• Crude portein 12%
• Crude fat  13%
• Crude fiber  2%
• Moisture  31%

These treats arrived via USPS Priority Mail in a timely fashion.  Treats are packaged in sealed plastic pouches inside attractive brown boxes.  The products were fresh and smelled so good that the Dog Daddy couldn't resist trying a Cinnamon Roll.  He pronounced it hard (more suitable to canine teeth), but delicious.

Jeffie and Rudy seemed to agree:  delicious!  So good were they that Jeffie again performed his new spontaneous begging stance.

I liked these dog treats because of their natural ingredients and freshness.  Just like homemade without any time spent in the kitchen.  I think the Dogs Bark Bakery dog treats would make wonderful holiday gifts for a furry friend.

Note: Neither of our dogs have dietary restrictions or allergies.  You need to use your own judgement regarding the Pumpkin Pie Bites and their sugar content.  

The Dogs Bark Bakery dog treats can be purchased online at their web site.  An 8oz package is $9.95 which includes shipping.  You may also find their products at farmers markets near their Northridge, CA location.  Coming soon is The Dogs Bark Food truck, which Jeffie and Rudy think would be pretty fun!

We're pleased to recommend The Dog Barks Bakery dog treats.  

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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Jerky Dog Treats | Product Review

There's no doubt about it.  

Our taste testers love Chewy.com for sending us this product to review. 

They just wish Chewy.com had sent more!

Chewy.com sent us a 3.25 oz package of Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats in Chicken Jerky flavor in order to try their home delivery of pet food and treats service.  

According to their website, Blue Buffalo's Wilderness Trail Treats Chicken Jerky is a chicken strip.  

• All natural ingredients:  chicken, dried cane molasses and salt.
• No chicken or poultry by-product meals.  
• No corn, no wheat, no soy.  
• No artificial preservatives, colors or flavors.

Guaranteed analysis:

• Crude Protein   50.0% minimum
• Crude Fat    2.0% minimum
• Crude Fiber   2.0% maximum
• Moisture   38.0% maximum

Blue Buffalo does suggest that Blue Wilderness Jerky Treats be kept in a cool, dry place.  Refrigerating after opening is recommended.

The Chewy.com web site suggests that these treats are perfect for dogs with food-related allergies or pets sensitive to commonly used treat fillers.  

They also note that they're so delicious that pets might forget to chew. Jeffie and Rudy would agree with that!  This definitely has to be their favorite taste test.

As soon as we opened the package, both dogs were eager to begin their duties.  The Dog Daddy held them back while I examined the jerky treats.  Looks and smells exactly like what it is:  dried chicken.

After only the first taste, our soft-mouthed retriever boys couldn't help themselves from trying to chomp another jerky treat.  Jeffie tried to get extras by shaking paws.

Then he spontaneously sat up to beg for more.  Note:  this is NOT a trick he's been trained or encouraged to do.  This was truly spontaneous and all his own idea.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Chicken Jerky treats are a huge hit at our house.  In fact, I'll be ordering more from Chewy.com

Here's why:

• Blue Buffalo is made in the US.  These treats do not contain any meat from China (or anywhere else in Asia).  All meat is sourced from US meat suppliers.
• These Blue Buffalo treats are all natural.
• Chewy.com has super fast home delivery service
• Chewy.com has an easy to navigate web site with responsive customer service
• Chewy.com offers over 120 brands of pet food and treats with free shipping on any order over $49
• Chewy.com supports animal shelters and rescue groups with an easy way to raise funds with their Shelter & Rescue Network.
• The dogs LOVE them!

We're pleased to recommend both Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Jerky dog treats and Chewy.com!

Note:  Before our taste tests, we did research the issue of recalls on Blue Buffalo jerky treats.   [And there were none.]

Click on the graphic below to discover all sorts of new treat recipes, great giveaways and more, because today is a Tasty Tuesday Blog Hop.

People Food for Pets: Evanger's Dog Food and Treats Review

 Jeffie and Rudy really enjoyed their taste testing of Evanger's dog food and treats.  Not only did it, obviously, taste good, but there were so many things to taste.

The good folks at Evanger's Food For Dogs and Cats sent us a generous box of their products to sample:

• Grain-Free Meat Lover's Medley with Rabbit Dry Food - combines rabbit, beef, and pork with fruits and vegetables.  No corn, no wheat, no soy.  Gluten free; no artificial color or flavor
• Low Grain Whitefish and Sweet Potato Formula Dry Food - a great alternative to a chicken based diet
• Pheasant and Brown Rice Formula Dry Food - another alternative for dogs with chicken allergies and contains probiotics, flaxseed and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.  No corn, no wheat, no soy
• Whole Chicken Thighs - packed by hand - canned food.
• 100% Organic Cooked Chicken - canned food
•  Chicken and Rice Dinner - canned food
• Cooked Chicken - canned food
• Organic Chicken with Fruits and Vegetables Jerky Treats
• Beef Liver Treat for Dogs and Cats - dried treats

Jeffie and Rudy take a close look at Evanger's pet food products.

Since they were so generous and I'm not keen on changing my dog's food, it has taken some time for Jeffie and Rudy to give all of these products a thorough review.  Trust me... they didn't mind!

Here's how we conducted the taste tests.  Dry kibble was hand fed as a treat.  Canned food was rationed and a small amount was added to their regular dry kibble.  Treats were given as treats - though not nearly often enough to fully satisfy the boys.

Every single product passed the taste testers with flying colors!  Bottom line:  8 paws up for Evanger's.   Favorite products were the canned foods, though the dogs definitely loved everything.  

Evanger's Dried Beef Liver Treats

The boys didn't want to pose for photos; they wanted TREATS!

I loved Evanger's products, too and here's why:

• Made in the United States by a family owned and operated company since 1935.
• Free of harmful additives and preservatives
• No soy, corn, wheat or by-products
• Human grade ingredients
• Every single product smelled good and looked good to the humans. (However, we did have to watch out for bones in the chicken thighs; cans do contain an appropriate warning)
• Competitively priced for premium organic pet food
• A VERY wide selection of food and treats: beef, chicken, fish, lamb and more.  Many recipes for pets with special needs.

Okay, I also love the story behind Evanger's.  Back in 1935, Fred Evanger bred, exhibited, and championed his Great Danes in international kennel clubs.  He believed that the key to his success in the show ring, as well as his dogs' health and the health of their offspring was due to nutritious food.  

In fact, he felt so strongly about it that he built a canning factory on his family farm so he could make a quality pet food. Even back then, Evanger's dog food was free of additives and preservatives.  In fact, he used crops and livestock raised on the family farm. 

In 2003, Evanger's was the first pet food company to create pet food packed by hand instead of machine by putting whole pieces of fresh meat and vegetables into the cans.

You read that right.  Open a can of Evanger's and you'll immediately recognize the ingredients.  Yes, that's real shredded, pulled (organic) chicken.  OMD!  those are chicken drumsticks, alright!

Cans include a warning about bones; we picked out two.

In addition, many of their recipes are created especially for dogs with special diet needs:  food allergies, low fat diet, gluten free,  sensitive stomach, irritable bowel syndrome and more.  They also have a large line of Kosher Kosher pet food products, as well as healthy selections for cats.

I should note that I found no evidence of any recalls for Evanger's pet food products, however, there were some issues with the USFDA in early 2011 regarding  misbranding of ingredients, none of which constituted a health or safety issue.

Bottom line:  We're pleased to recommend Evanger's dog food and dog treats! 
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