In honor of Taylor’s 4th birthday we invited a few of our friends and their four legged “children” to the Laguna Beach Dog Park for a play date.  The dogs had a great time chasing each other, rolling in the grass and of course snacking on treats.   Taylor’s birthday is an opportunity for us to plan for a fun play date at the park, socialize and celebrate her (as if we don’t already celebrate her daily!).  Before I had a dog of my own I never really understood the bond and relationship between man and dog.  Now that we have one it’s hard to put into words how life changing it is.  I was talking to my co-worker this week about dogs and life lessons.  She has two dogs of her own and she believes that families with children should consider adding a dog to their family.   She said that through the years her dogs has taught her children the meaning of unconditional love, what it means to be supportive, caring and loyal.  These are traits that many humans have trouble mastering on a daily basis, while dogs never falter.  In the future, I look forward to seeing our children fall in love with Taylor and what life lessons she is able to teach them.

These large marshmallows are lovingly adorned with paw prints, dog bone candies and dressed up as dogs for the party.  These  were a hit at the party amongst kids and adults alike.

Taylor is such a well loved dog and we are so lucky that Wilton generously supplied all the decorative items to assemble these marshmallow treats.  With a little patience and an offset spatula you can transform a modest marshmallow into a cute treat on a stick that has a lot of personality.   I have been challenging myself to make more creative marshmallow pops  ever since I made the wedding cake marshmallow pops for The Ravenous Couple‘s wedding.  It’s been a lot of trial and error, but also fun along the way.

Here's a side view of the dog marshmallow pop.

Puppy Marshmallow Pops

Ingredients/supplies:

Large marshmallows

Wilton 6 inch lollipop sticks

Wilton peanut butter flavored candy melts

Wilton light cocoa chocolate flavored candy melts

Lifesaver Gummies

White round sprinkles for the eyes

Wilton Food Writer Edible Color Markers

Plastic spoons

Styrofoam brick/block

Method:

• Insert the lollipop sticks into the side of the marshmallows.
• Heat peanut butter candy melts according to the instructions on the package.
• Using an offset spatula, cover the marshmallow with the candy melts and then insert marshmallow pop  into a styrofoam brick to allow to dry and set completely.
• Heat light cocoa candy melts according to package instructions, transfer the melted candy melts into a plastic squeeze bottle.
• On the back side of the plastic spoon draw the shape of a dog ear, on the inside of the spoon squeeze a small amount of light cocoa candy melts to fill the shape of the “ear”.  Place in the freezer to set for a few minutes.  Use an off set spatula to gently remove the “ear” from the spoon.  Put “ears” back into freezer until ready to use.
• Use a little of the peanut butter candy melt to attach a gummy Lifesaver Gummies to the marshmallow pop.  Allow to dry and set.
• Use the food writer to draw the eyes onto the white round sprinkles; with a toothpick, apply a dab of peanut butter candy melts to the sprinkle to attach the eyes to the marshmallow.
• Use the food writer to draw the nose and mouth for the dog face.
• Use the peanut butter candy melts to attach the ears to the marshmallow.

Method for making paw print marshmallow pops:

• Follow the first 4 steps above for the puppy marshmallow pops.
• Use the squeeze bottle to decorate the marshmallow with a paw design.

What party is complete without favors? Dog themed cookie cutters for the people guests and treat bags for the dog guests!

Wilton provided us with Pet Shaped Cookie Cutters to give to our guests as favors.  Aren’t they cute?  I can’t wait to use them to make sugar cut out cookies.  We also made dog treat bags for her friends that were filled with Milkbone’s Healthy Favorites All Natural Milk Bones and a homemade carob and peanut butter cup.  These dog friendly peanut butter cups are so easy to make and the dogs go crazy for them!  The liners are Wilton pink foil candy cups.   They are the perfect size for these treats! You can find carob chips at health food stores such as Sprouts or Whole Foods.

Carob and Peanut Butter Cups (for dogs)

Ingredients:

Carob chips

Peanut butter

Wilton candy cups

Method:

• Fill coffee mug with desired amount of carob chips.  In the microwave on 50% power, heat the carob chips for 30 seconds.  Stir and continue microwaving at 50% power for 15 second intervals until the carob is smooth.
• Using a small spoon, fill the candy cups with a small amount of melted carob.  Let set. Then spoon a small amount of peanut butter on top of the carob.  Top the peanut butter with more melted carob.  Let set and then store in an air tight container.

Dog tested and loved!

It was a beautiful day in Laguna Beach and the dogs had a great time on their birthday play date. Taylor sends lots of xoxo to her friends for coming out to celebrate! She loved all of her presents and treats!

Taylor’s dear friend Lucky  wasn’t able to make it but he did stop by afterwards to give her a gift.  Isn’t it cute?  Lucky’s parents thought it looked like Taylor!  It’s her new favorite toy.  Check out Taylor’s 3rd Birthday Party for more dog party ideas.

 Wilton has provided supplies for this post.  All thoughts and opinions are our own.

Print PDF