Wrapped up with a bow and jingle bells, homemade dog treats make great holiday gifts for those special dogs and their humans.
OAT-PUMPKIN-CHEDDAR TREATS
Ingredients:
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 cup oats
• 2 eggs
• 2.5 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare two cookie sheets and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin and eggs. Slowly add in the flour until dough forms.
Fold in the oats and cheese.
3. Roll out the dough onto a floured surface. Use a cookie cutter to cut out biscuits.
4. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown and firm. Refrigerate or freeze.
Makes 2-3 dozen
FISHY TREATS
Ingredients:
• 2 cans of sardines in oil
• 6 eggs
• 2 packages (sleeves) of graham crackers, crumbled
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepared cookie sheet and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
3. Spread onto the prepared cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 20 minutes or until rubbery.
5. Cut into small squares. A pizza cutter works well for this. Refrigerate or freeze.
Makes 1 cookie sheet
PEANUT-BANANA TREATS
Ingredients:
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 large ripe banana (or 2 medium bananas), smashed
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare cookie sheet and set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, smash the peanut butter and ripe banana. And the flour and smash with a fork until the dough is thick and well combined. If it’s crumbly, add 2-4 Tablespoons more peanut butter and recombine. You want the dough to be firm, sticky, and pliable
4. Roll into 1 Tablespoon balls and flatten with your hands for a simple circular cookie or roll dough into a thin slab, about 1/4 inch thick, and cut into shapes with a cookie cutter.
5. Bake for 15 minutes until lightly brown underneath. Refrigerate or freeze.
Makes 4-5 dozen
CRUNCHY CHICKEN (or TUNA) BEET TREATS (high yield)
Ingredients:
• 10 oz can of chicken (can substitute tuna,) including water
• 15 oz can diced beets, including water
• 3 cups flour
• 1cup corn meal
• 2 cups shredded cheese
• 2 tsp. oil
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare cookie sheet and set aside.
2. In a food processor, blend chicken, beets, and oil until smooth.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine pureed mixture with the rest of the ingredients.
4. Roll into 1 Tablespoon balls and flatten with your hands for a simple circular cookie or roll dough into a thin slab, about 1/4 inch thick, and cut into shapes with a cookie cutter.
5. Bake for 45 minutes or until fingernail doesn’t easily penetrate the treat. Refrigerate or freeze.
Makes 10 dozen
Warmest wishes for a happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year.
Ann Coffey, Ms. Fairy Dogmother, is a dog trainer and pet sitter available at 817-668-6229 or visit www.msfairydogmother.net for more information.
