Dog Treats for Christmas Recipe

Introduction

These festive dog treats are a perfect homemade gift for your furry friends this Christmas. Made with wholesome ingredients like whole wheat flour, peanut butter, and applesauce, they are both tasty and nutritious. Plus, the icing and cranberry decorations add a delightful holiday touch.

Ingredients

• 1 ⅛ cup self-rising whole wheat flour
• ⅛ cup rolled oats
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 tbsp honey
• ½ cup applesauce
• ⅙ cup water
• ¼ cup low-fat Greek yogurt
• ½ tsp honey (for icing)
• Dried cranberries (for decorating)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375˚ F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour and rolled oats. In a separate bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, honey, applesauce, and water.
3. Step 3: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a stiff dough forms. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
4. Step 4: Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into festive shapes. Alternatively, use a pizza cutter or butter knife to cut the dough into small pieces. Place the treats on the prepared cookie sheet.
5. Step 5: Bake the treats for 15–18 minutes until they start to turn golden brown. Allow them to cool completely before decorating.
6. Step 6: To make the icing, combine the Greek yogurt and ½ teaspoon honey in a bowl. Transfer the icing into a small piping bag or a plastic storage bag with a tiny corner cut off.
7. Step 7: Drizzle or pipe the icing over the cooled treats. Decorate with dried cranberries as desired.

Tips & Variations

• Make sure to use smooth, unsalted peanut butter to keep the treats safe for dogs.
• You can swap rolled oats for oat flour if you prefer a finer texture.
• For a different flavor, try adding a pinch of cinnamon to the dough.
• If you don’t have cookie cutters, simple shapes like squares or rectangles work just as well.

Storage

Store the treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze for up to three months. Before serving frozen treats, let them thaw completely. Avoid leaving decorated treats out for extended periods as the icing contains dairy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can these treats be made without peanut butter?

Yes, you can substitute the peanut butter for pumpkin puree or mashed banana if your dog has peanut allergies, but note this will change the flavor and texture slightly.

Are these treats safe for all dogs?

These treats use dog-friendly ingredients, but always check with your vet if your dog has specific allergies or dietary restrictions before introducing new treats.

Dog Treats for Christmas Recipe

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4.9 from 123 reviews

These homemade Dog Treats for Christmas are a healthy, delicious, and festive snack to celebrate the holiday season with your furry friend. Made with wholesome ingredients like whole wheat flour, rolled oats, peanut butter, applesauce, and a touch of honey, these treats are baked to golden perfection and decorated with a simple yogurt and honey icing topped with dried cranberries.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
• Total Time: 30-33 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 medium-sized treats 1x
• Category: Dog Treats
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Pet Food
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 1 ⅛ cups self-rising whole wheat flour
• ⅛ cup rolled oats

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 tbsp honey
• ½ cup applesauce
• ⅙ cup water

Icing and Decoration

• ¼ cup low-fat Greek yogurt
• ½ tsp honey
• Dried cranberries

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375˚F (190˚C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set aside.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat self-rising flour and rolled oats, mixing well.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the creamy peanut butter, honey, applesauce, and water until smooth and well combined.
4. Form Dough: Add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly until a stiff dough forms that is workable for rolling out.
5. Roll Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness for even baking.
6. Cut Treats: Use cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes or simply use a pizza cutter or butter knife to cut the dough into small squares or rectangles. Place the pieces onto the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake: Bake the dog treats in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until they start to turn golden brown around the edges.
8. Cool Completely: Remove the treats from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a rack to firm up before decorating.
9. Prepare Icing: In a small bowl, combine the low-fat Greek yogurt and honey until smooth to create a dog-safe icing.
10. Decorate Treats: Using a small piping bag or a plastic storage bag with a small corner cut off, drizzle or pipe the icing over the cooled treats.
11. Add Decorations: Sprinkle or gently press dried cranberries on top of the icing to create festive decorations.

Notes

• Ensure all ingredients, especially the peanut butter, do not contain xylitol or other harmful additives for dogs.
• Allow treats to cool completely before giving to your dog to prevent burns.
• Store treats in an airtight container for up to two weeks or freeze for longer storage.
• You can customize shapes and decoration to match your holiday theme.

Keywords: dog treats, Christmas dog treats, homemade dog biscuits, peanut butter dog treats, healthy dog snacks, festive dog treats