Our Favorite Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
Our furbabies mean everything to us – so why not go ahead and make their day with some tasty snacks made just for them?
We know our dogs will pester us for tidbits whenever we grab anything to eat, but nothing beats putting our love into action more than preparing some goodies just for them – just make sure you do not try to beg a bit from them. You will be disappointed.
Here are our favorite three treats to get creative in the kitchen:
Pumpkin Ginger Dog Biscuits
With Fall just around the corner and the coffee shops already smelling of all things pumpkin spice, why not get in on the action too with some pumpkin ginger dog biscuits?
Most pantries will already have all the ingredients you need in stock and as an added bonus, ginger is known to help relieve nausea in dogs, so if your pooch is feeling sick, some of these will help in more ways than one…
One batch will make 18 dog biscuits and take about 20 minutes of prep followed by 2.5 hours in the oven. This recipe was originally featured in the Pumpkin Cookbook 2018.
Ingredients
· 3 cups whole wheat flour
· 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
· 1/2 cup pumpkin
· 1 large egg, beaten
· 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
· 1/4 to 1/2 cup water
Directions
Preheat oven to 275°. Combine flour and ginger. In the bowl of a mixer, combine pumpkin, egg and coconut oil. Add the flour mixture and mix until crumbly. With the mixer on low, slowly add water 1 tablespoon at a time until dough comes together but is not sticky. On a floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-in thickness. Cut with a 3-in cookie cutter. If using a bone shape, press holes in the center of the biscuit with a fork. If using a pumpkin shape, press lines into biscuit with the edge of a spoon.
Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until bottoms are lightly browned (tops may crack) and treats feel firm when pressed, about 2-1/2 hours. Cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.
Classic Dog Biscuits
If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it – sometimes simple is best. Try making a batch of these classic munchies to make your doggy’s day.
This recipe originally featured in Country Woman Christmas 2009, and takes just 15 minutes to prepare, with half an hour to bake, producing 31 biscuits for your favorite animal. One tip from the experts – do not try and cut your dog’s delight down in calories with reduced fat peanut butter – it just does not work as well.
Ingredients
· 2 cups whole wheat flour
· 1 cup toasted wheat germ
· 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
· 3/4 cup water
· 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
· 1 large egg, room temperature
· 2 tablespoons canola oil
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine flour, wheat germ and cinnamon. Stir in remaining ingredients. On a floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-in thickness. Cut with a 3-in bone-shaped cookie cutter.
Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until bottoms are lightly browned (tops may crack), 30-35 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.
Carrot Peanut Butter Pupcakes
Biscuits and treats are all very well for an everyday type of snack but some events like birthdays simply need more celebrating – and these pupcakes are just the ticket.
Created by Shweta Arora and featured on her website www.shwetainthekitchen.com, your birthday or holiday celebrations will be complete with your furbaby tucking into one of these freshly baked cakes. One batch will make about half a dozen cakes.
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup applesauce (heaped cup)
1/4 cup yogurt
1/2 cup finely shredded carrots
1 egg
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
Honey optional and to taste
For the frosting:
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup yogurt
2 tbsp honey
Some bone shaped dog biscuits for decoration (optional)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350F and line the cupcake tin with liners and keep aside.
In a bowl mix the peanut butter, applesauce, yogurt until well combined. To this add one egg followed by shredded carrots and mix well.
Next add the wheat flour and baking soda and mix all using a spatula until the batter is well formed.
Now divide the batter equally into 6 0r 7 Pupcakes.
Bake at 350 for 25-30 mins or until a toothpick inserted at the centre of the pupcake comes out clean.
Let them rest in the pan for 10 mins after which transfer them to a cooling rack. Once they have completely cooled down they are ready for frosting.
For the frosting – mix honey, yogurt and peanut butter until well combined.
Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a nozzle of choice and frost the pupcakes. You can even skip the piping bag and directly spread the frosting over the pupcakes using a spoon.
Finally top with their favorite treat.