GardenCuizine Recipe: Healthy, Homemade DOG Treats

All Natural
Healthy, Holly DOG Treats
with Peanut Butter and Molasses!

Low Fat, Low Sodium

Today, a member of the Food and Culinary Professionals Group of the American Dietetic Association asked me if I had a recipe for healthy, homemade Dog biscuits. Hmmmm, I thought...of all the recipes and baking that I do, I really didn't have a tried and true recipe for dog biscuits. Usually we cheat and purchase store-bought.

After quickly looking at the ingredients on the box of our dog Holly's favorite dog biscuits, I whipped up this recipe for a quick and easy homemade version. When you make dog treats at home, you control the quality of and exactly how much of each ingredient your pet will get.  

Note that on the package of store-bought pet treats, FDA pet product labels are different than people food nutrition facts labels. For example, a box of dog biscuits lists ingredients in the order of predominance by weight and may show Guaranteed Analysis of crude fat, protein and fiber percentages.

Holly responded to her invitation to be our taste tester with a series of happy barks before devouring her doggie samples. Watching Holly lick her chops and bark for more was her approval that dogs will love these healthy, all natural treats!

Holiday Fun
Don't leave out your friends! Healthy, Holly Dog Treats make a fun gift to bring to a Holiday or dinner party of dog loving friends. Baggie up the fresh baked treats after they have thoroughly cooled and be sure to clearly label them as DOG treats with peanut butter.

Bow-Wowzer Gift
Doggie treat jars can be purchased at discount stores. They make a thoughtful gift when filled with healthy dog treats and decorated with festive ribbon and a homemade gift card.

For families and friends with peanut allergies, be sure to let them know the ingredients, or omit the peanut butter and substitute SoyNut Butter.
Putting it all together
Yields: approximately 4 dozen, 2 inch (5cm) treats
Preheat oven to 350° F (177° C)

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups (312g) unbleached white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup (40g) quick cooking rolled oats
1 Tablespoon (10g) milled flax seeds
1 Tablespoon (4g) nonfat dry milk
1 Tablespoon Brewers yeast (optional - adds minerals, B vitamins, protein and fiber)
1/2 teaspoon (2g) baking powder
1/4 teaspoon (1g) baking soda
1/4 teaspoon (3g) salt

2 eggs
1/4 cup (59g) water
1/4 cup (65g) peanut butter (we use natural, no salt)
1/4 cup (54g) canola oil
1/3 cup (112g) black strap molasses

• In a bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients, set aside
• In another, main mixing bowl - mix together the peanut butter and oil; add the eggs
• Beat in the molasses and water
• Add the dry ingredients and mix until blended
• Divide the dough in half, forming even balls with your hands. Flatten them into round disks and wrap in clear wrap
• Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight before using
• Roll out the dough just like people cookies and cut out using cookie cutters -- have fun! They all don't have to be dog bone shaped; Holly loves all shapes, especially dogs and cats
• Place on foil lined baking sheets (no need to oil or spray)
  

Bake for 12 minutes. Remove and cool, leaving on baking sheet. Turn the dog biscuits over and bake again for another 8-10 minutes. This will make the cookies harder and more crunchy, similar to twice-baked biscotti cookies. 

GardenCuizine Nutrition Analysis: based on USDA Nutrient data for people
Serving size 1 biscuit (1/48 of recipe, 13g): calories 46, calories from fat 19, total fat 2g (3%DV), saturated fat 0, trans fat 0, cholesterol 9mg, sodium 29mg (1%DV), total carbohydrate 6g, dietary fiber 1g (3%DV), sugars 2g, protein 1g 

Photos and recipe Copyright © 2009 Wind. All rights reserved.Rev. 11/18/11