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Dog Treat Recipes

Libby helped me put together a collection of dog treat recipes that we think your dog will really love. They're broken down into specific categories to help you easily find the type of dog treats you'd like to make.

Be sure to have a look at the dog treat icing recipes on this page (the link is in the navigation to the left). They make for an especially delicious cookie!

Libby's Favorites:
Libby's Pacific Northwestern Girl Salmon Snaps
Buddy's Crazy Good Peanut Butter Cookies


Peanut Butter Dog Treat Recipes
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~ Buddy's Crazy Good Peanut Butter Cookies ~

A note to dogs from Libby: I love peanut butter(!), and so do a lot of my friends. This recipe is a combination of crunchy peanut butter and oats, baked into a deliciously moist and chewy treat.

Caution: These cookies are very appealing to people, because they look and smell very much like people cookies. Your people will want to try them, and I recommend allowing some of that. However, keep an eye out for repeated or excessive "sampling," and be prepared to give a reminder that these treats are for YOU. (If necessary, threaten to tell all their friends that they were eating dog biscuits. Harsh, but if you need it this technique works pretty well.)

1 to 1-½ cups flour
¾ cup oatmeal
¼ cup wheat germ
¼ cup crunchy peanut butter
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup honey
1 tsp baking powder
½ cup water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325° F (165° C).

Combine all ingredients and mix on low until blended. Form into tablespoon-sized balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten balls to ¼"" using tines of fork:

Bake for 15 - 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Makes about 20 cookies.

Chunky Peanut Butter Molasses Cookies

4 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups oatmeal
½ - ¾ cup chunky peanut butter
2½ cups hot water
2 Tbs molasses

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C).

Mix all ingredients together, adding more hot water if dough is too sticky. Knead well. Roll out to ¼" and cut into shapes with cookie cutter. Bake on greased cookie
sheet for 40 minutes. Turn off heat and let cool in oven overnight.

Peanut Butter Honey Drop Cookies

¾ cup flour
1 egg
1 Tbs honey
1 tsp peanut butter
¼ cup vegetable shortening
1 tsp baking soda
¼ cup rolled oats
½ tsp vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C).

Heat honey and peanut butter until runny (about 20 seconds in the microwave). Mix ingredients together and drop by ½ teaspoonful onto cookie sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Makes about 45 to 50 small biscuits.

Peanut Butter Banana Cookies

2 ripe bananas
½ cup chunky peanut butter (approx.)
1 egg
¼ cup honey
¼ cup water
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 Tbs cinnamon
¼ cup dry powdered milk
¼ cup canola oil (or other vegetable oil)
1 cup whole wheat flour
½ cup dry oatmeal
2 cups flour (approx.)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C).

Combine peeled bananas, peanut butter, egg, honey, water and baking soda in food processor (or mixing bowl). Blend well. Add baking powder, cinnamon, dry milk, and oil. Blend well again. Add whole wheat flour and oatmeal. Blend well again. Add bread flour a little at a time, blending after each addition, until it's the consistency of bread dough. Knead for a few minutes. (You could also make the dough in a bread machine using the dough cycle.)

Let the dough sit, covered under a bowl for about 15 minutes, then roll out to about ¼ to ½ inch thick on a floured board. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters or cut into small 1 to 2 inch squares using a pizza-cutter.

Spray cookie sheets with nonstick spray, place dough on sheets, and bake on middle rack in for 30 minutes, until bottom of cookies are golden brown. Turn oven off and leave cookies in oven for eight to twelve hours to harden.

Makes about five dozen, depending cookie size.

Savory Peanut Butter Biscuits with Cheese

1 cup flour
½ cup milk
2 Tbs peanut butter
2 Tbs grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp baking powder
1 egg white
1 Tbs chicken broth

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C).

Mix flour and milk until lumpy. Add Peanut butter and chicken broth. Mix parmesan cheese with first four ingredients. Add egg white. Mix well or until it has the consistency of pancake batter. Add baking powder. Pour onto cookie sheet sprayed with nonstick spray, in 3-inch diameter blobs. Cook until golden brown.

Serve cool.

'Good Girl' Peanut Butter Banana Swirls

Dough One:

4 cups whole wheat flour
½ cup cornmeal
1-1/3 cups water
1/3 cup peanut butter
1 egg

Dough Two:

4 cups whole wheat flour
2/3 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup banana, mashed
1 egg
1-1/4 cups water
2 Tbs vegetable oil
2 Tbs molasses
2 Tbs cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C).

Combine all Dough One ingredients and mix thoroughly. Knead on a lightly floured surface. Set aside. Combine all Dough Two ingredients and mix thoroughly. Knead
on a lightly floured surface.

Roll each dough separately to a 1/8 inch thickness, into rectangles. Lightly brush a little water over the top of the light-colored dough. Place the darker colored dough on top, then roll up like a jelly roll. Wrap the roll in
plastic and chill in the freezer for one hour. Cut the roll into 1/4 inch slices. Place on a cookie sheet sprayed with nonstick spray. Bake for one hour.


Apple Dog Treat Recipes

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~ Apple Cinnamon Delights ~

1 large apple
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup of water
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup oatmeal
1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/8 cup whole wheat flour


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C).

Core, slice and mince apple. In a large bowl, combine the minced apple, honey, water, cinnamon, and oatmeal. Gradually blend in the wheat flour, adding enough to form a stiff dough.

In a small bowl, add 1/8 cup wheat flour. Spoon the dough by rounded teaspoon onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches (5cm) apart. Using the bottom of a glass dipped in the wheat flour (to prevent sticking), flatten each spoonful of dough into a circle.

Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and flip each cookie to brown evenly on both sides. Reduce oven temperature to 325° F (165°C). Return to oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Let cool overnight.

Makes about 3 dozen crunchy cookies, depending on cookie size.

"Apple of My Eye" Mini Muffin Poppers

1 large apple
1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup oatmeal
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 Tbs honey
2 eggs
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Mini Muffin Cups

Frosting :
One 8 oz package Neufchatel Cheese (low fat cream cheese), room temperature
2 Tbs plain yogurt
2 Tbs honey


Directions:

Preheat oven to 400° F (200 ° C).

Core, slice and mince apple. Set aside. In a large bowl, mix together flour, oatmeal, baking powder, and baking soda. In a medium bowl, blend together the yogurt, water, oil, honey, and eggs, then stir in the apple and cheese. Add to the flour mixture and stir until mixed.

Place mini muffin cups in muffin tins, and spoon in batter, filling each cup about three-quarters full. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let rest in the muffin tins for a few minutes, then remove and set aside to cool.

Frosting directions:
Combine Neufchatel cheese (at room temperature), honey, and yogurt until smooth. Spread on muffins.

Makes about 3 dozen mini muffins. If you prefer to make a single-layer cake instead, spoon the batter into a sheet pan and bake for an extra 10 minutes. Decorate wit chopped pecans for special occasions.

Whole Wheat Cream Cheese Danish with Applesauce

1/4 pound low fat Neufchatel cream cheese
1/2 cup all natural apple sauce, no sugar added
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp real vanilla extract
2 cups whole wheat flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C).

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients. Knead dough on a floured surface. Roll dough 1/2-inch (12 mm) thick. Cut with cookie cutter of choice. Put on cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Turn off oven and let cookies sit in oven 1-2 hours to harden.


Carob Dog Treat Recipes
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Biggsy's Carob Dipped Delights

2-1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 egg
1/4 cup applesauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 beef bouillon -- or chicken
1/2 cup hot water
1 Tbs honey
1 Tbs molasses
1 cup carob chips (approx.)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300°F (150° C).

Mix all ingredients together well. Knead dough for two minutes on a lightly floured surface. Roll to 1/4" thickness, and cut into shapes. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 30 minutes. Cool.

Melt carob chips in microwave or small saucepan. Dip cool biscuits in carob or lay on a flat surface and brush carob over the biscuits with a pastry brush. Let cool and enjoy!

Brewster's Carob Chip Cookies

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 Tbs baking powder
1 cup carob chips
1 cup peanut butter, can be smooth or chunky
1 cup milk (low fat OK)
2 eggs
1/4 cup honey

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190° C).

Combine flour and baking powder in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl combine peanut butter, milk, eggs, and honey. Mix well.

Add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients and mix with a hand beater. Add carob chips and mix, only until blended.

Spoon dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes.

Let stand for 1 minute, then remove from cookie sheet. Place on a cookie rack to cool.

Jezzabel's Wheat-Free Carob Treats

6-1/2 cups white rice flour
1/8 cup peanut oil
1/8 cup safflower oil margarine
1 Tbs honey
2 oz carob chips, melted (available in health food stores)
1 cup milk
1/4 cup molasses

Directions:
Preheat oven to 300?F (150° C).

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients, and mix until blended. Dough will be stiff. Put in refrigerator to chill (about 1/2 hour). Roll dough on a greased cookie pan and cut into shapes 1/2 inch thick. Bake for 1 hour.

Makes about 2 dozen.


Cheesy Dog Cookie Recipes
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Whole Wheat Cheese Snaps

1 cup uncooked oatmeal
1-½ cup hot water or meat juice/broth
1 cup grated cheese
1 egg, beaten
1 cup wheat germ
¼ cup margarine
½ cup powdered milk
4 cups whole wheat flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300?F (150° C).

In large bowl pour hot water over oatmeal and margarine: let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in powdered milk, grated cheese, salt and egg. Add wheat germ. Mix well. Add flour, 1/3 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Knead 3 or 4 minutes, adding more flour if necessary to make a very stiff dough. Pat or roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes and place on a baking sheet sprayed with nonstick spray.

Bake for 1 hour. Turn off heat and leave in oven for 1-½ hours or longer.

Makes approximately 2-¼ pounds.

Vermont Cheddar Cheese Biscuits

1-½ cup whole wheat flour
1-¼ cup grated Vermont cheddar cheese
¼ lb safflower oil margarine, softened
milk as needed

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190° C).

Grate cheese and let stand until it reaches room temperature. Cream the cheese with the softened margarine, and flour. Add enough milk to form into a ball. Chill for 1/2 hour. Roll onto floured board. Cut into shapes and bake for 15 minutes or until slightly brown and firm. Makes about 2 to 3 dozen.


Meat and Fish Flavored Dog Cookie Recipes
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Libby's Pacific Northwestern Girl Salmon Snaps

Note from Libby- Although I'm currently an East Coast girl, I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, in western Washington state. In fact, my full name - Liberty Bay - comes from a bay just outside of Poulsbo, WA, near Bainbridge Island (which is near Seattle).

That said, salmon is a food that's close to my heart. -And if I had my way it would be close to my taste buds more often, but I take what I can get.

These crunchy dog treats bring together the delicious taste of salmon and dill with the nutty flavors of flax seed and sunflower seed. What a great combination! And a great way to get a good salmon fix.

(Confession: I've been told that these treats don't exactly enhance the "aroma" of my already-challenging breath.)

Use cookie cutters to create a fish shape.
It makes them tase even better!

1 can salmon with juice (8 oz.)
½ cup chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
1 tsp dill weed
3 eggs -- shells included
½ cup sesame seeds ground up in coffee grinder
½ cup flax seeds ground up in coffee grinder
2 (or more) cups whole wheat flour -- (2 to 3)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190° C).

Put all ingredients into a food processor and mix very well. NOTE: Pour flour through the opening while the processor is on. Use enough flour to make the dough about the consistency of a pie crust (it will roll into a ball - once it does, it's ready to remove.)

Place on a floured surface and knead more flour into dough until it is easily rolled out. Roll out to about ¼" thick. Cut into shapes with a cookie cutter. Poke each cookie with a fork once or twice, so that cookies will not puff up. Bake on cookie sheets that have a nonstick spray coating.

Bake for 20 min. Turn and rotate cookie sheets, then bake about 10 more minutes.

Crunchy Beef Flavored Bagels

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 package yeast (1/4 ounce)
1 cup beef broth (or chicken), warmed
1 cup unbleached white flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190° C).

In a large bowl combine the whole wheat flour with the yeast. Add 2/3 cup beef (or chicken) broth and beat for about 3 minutes. Gradually add the remaining flour. Knead dough for a few minutes until smooth and moist,
but not wet (use reserve broth as necessary).

Cover dough and let stand for 5 minutes. Divide dough into about 15-20 pieces, rolling each piece into a smooth ball. Punch a hole into each ball using your finger or end of spoon and gently pull the dough so that the hole is about 1/2" wide. Place dough on a greased cookie sheet and allow to rise 5 minutes. Bake for 25 minutes.

Turn heat off and allow bagels to cool in the oven.


Basic Dog Cookie Recipe
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2 eggs
¼ cup milk
2 cups whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons wheat germ

Preheat oven to 350º.

Blend eggs in mixing bowl. Add wheat germ and milk. Stir until smooth. Add whole wheat flour and mix into egg mixture using your hands. Pat dough into a long rectangle, about 3" wide (or as wide as your bone-shaped cookie cutter is long) and ½" thick. Cut it into bone shapes. Place dough 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 25 minutes on one side, then turn over and bake another 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool biscuits on racks.

Makes about 16 dog biscuits.


Dog Cookie Icing Recipes
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Yogurt Icing

This icing can be colored naturally for decorating:

· For pink icing - use beet powder
· For green icing - use spinach powder
· For yellow icing - use turmeric

Directions:

3 cups yogurt chips (NOTE: These can be hard to find! The only place I've been able to find them is online, at: Barry Farm. I'm still looking for someone who sells yogurt chips that are not made with sugar or partially hydrogenated oils.)
1 tablespoon vegetable powder for coloring (see above)
1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Melt carob chips and add vegetable oil and colorings. Dip cookies halfway in icing, or use a pastry brush to cover, and place cookies on waxed paper to dry.


The Following Icing Recipes Require Refrigeration

Banana Carob Frosting

2 cup mashed banana
1 Tbs safflower margarine
6 Tbs carob flour
2 tsp vanilla
3 tsp unbleached flour

Blend ingredients well. Frost cookies with a spatula or fill a pastry bag fitted with a fine tip and pipe onto cookies.

Cream Cheese Frosting

12 ounces nonfat cream cheese, room temperature
2 teaspoons honey

Beat with a hand mixer until fluffy. Frost cookies with a spatula or fill a pastry bag fitted with a fine tip and pipe onto cookies.

Cinnamon Vanilla variation: To the above recipe, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and 3 teaspoons of cinnamon.


For Dogs with Allergies:
Tips for Substituting Wheat and Corn in Recipes:
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Wheat flour substitutes will take longer (10-20 minutes) to bake. Best results are produced when substitutes are used in combination. Experimentation is a good thing! See what works for you.

  • The addition of 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder per cup of nonwheat flour improves the texture of the baked goods.

  • Most wheat-free baked goods will crumble, so making foods in smaller sizes helps retain shape and body.

To substitute one cup of wheat flour, use any one of these suggestions:

  • 1 1/4 cup rye or oat flour

  • 3/4 cup rice, barley, or potato flour or oats

  • For dogs not allergic to corn: 1/2 cup arrowroot flour, corn starch, or ground nuts and seeds.

To thicken a recipe or to hold ingredients together, substitute for 1 tablespoon of wheat flour one of the following:

  • 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch, potato starch or rice flour

  • 1 tablespoon arrowroot or oatmeal

  • 2 teaspoons quick-cooking tapioca

 

Copyright 2007 - Elizabeth A.Feeney - All rights reserved

 
 
 

Are You Making Your Dog Sick?
Of course you'd never do it intentionally! But veterinarians report that at least 50% of the sick dogs they see each day are ill due to an allergy to commercially made dog food. -Even the better brands.

Protect your dog by making your own dog food. Read how.