Most of us have dogs and dog owners on our Christmas shopping list. Have you ever thought of giving homemade dog treats as a gift? They are perfect for the pet or pet parent who has everything, and they make a wonderful host/hostess gift! This Christmas dog treats recipe is healthy and simple.
The best part about making homemade dog treats is that you can cater them to the pup's needs. If you know a dog that has allergies or a sensitive digestive system, why not make them some healthy and nourishing treats that will please their belly? You could even include the recipe in the gift bag so the dog owner can make more when their Fido runs out.
Homemade gifts are a wonderful idea. They are thoughtful and heartfelt. If you make this Christmas dog treat recipe and share the snacks with all your dog-owning friends and family, they'll know that you were thinking of them and their canine companion this holiday season.
MORE RECIPES HERE: Homemade Dog Food & Treats Recipes
Christmas Dog Treat Recipe with Pumpkin Seeds and Cranberries
Ingredients
- 1 cup of rye flour (I substituted soy flour, but it was VERY sticky. I had to add another cup of flour before the dough was stiff enough to work with. I've made them in the past with rye flour, and they worked much better.)
- 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce
- 3/4 tsp. calcium carbonate (a supplement traditionally packaged under the name calcium, but as I explain in my video guide, you can see in the nutritional information if it says “calcium as calcium carbonate”)
- 2 tbsp. raw honey
- 3 1/2 tbsp. olive oil
- dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds (optional)
Instructions
Making this Christmas dog treat recipe is so easy! First, preheat your oven to 350°.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients except the pumpkin seeds and cranberries. Mix until it forms a dough. If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour. If you think the dough is too stiff, try adding another teaspoon of olive oil or a bit more applesauce.
Once your dough is ready, roll it out on a floured surface. You'll want it to be about 1/4-inch thick. If you make it thicker, you'll have to cook the treats a little longer.
Now is the fun part! Use Christmas cookie cutters (or any cookie cutters) to form the cookies. Lay them on a greased and floured cookie sheet. Add the cranberries and pumpkin seeds to the top of the cookies if you choose.
This Christmas dog treat recipe will only make about 12-16 cookies, depending on the size of your cookie cutters. If you like the recipe, you can double it next time! Bake the cookies at 350° for 6-8 minutes. You'll notice that they turn a lovely shade of golden brown when they're done.
You can place the finished cookies in a cute container or wrap them in Christmas-colored plastic wrap. Add a bow, and your gift will be complete. These dog treats will be kept for 7-10 days in an airtight container.
You can also freeze raw treats to keep for up to two months in an airtight container in your freezer. Just place a piece of parchment paper between the treats, freeze, and bake when you're ready. You'll need to bake them for about 10-12 minutes from when they are frozen.
READ NEXT: How To Make Homemade Dog Treats – A Brief Video Guide
