Looking for a last minute gift idea for a dog or dog owner? Want to make something really special as a gift for your canine companion? These homemade candy cane dog treats will make any pup smile. They also make for a very thoughtful and inexpensive present.
Giving the gift of homemade dog treats shows that you care. Instead of purchasing a generic gift, such as a new toy or a cute Christmas dog sweater, you're making something all on your own. You're creating something from scratch – taking your time and energy to make a gift that you know the recipient will appreciate.
If you are planning to give these (or any) treats to a dog that is not yours, be sure that you check with the owner to make sure the pooch doesn't have any food allergies. If you want the gift to be a surprise, simply attach a note with the list of ingredients to the treats so the owner can check for themselves.
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Homemade Candy Cane Dog Treats Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 3 cups water
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350°.
Light dough – Mix 4 cups of flour and 1/2 cup of cornmeal in a medium bowl. Stir until they are completely combined. Add 1 beaten egg, the peanut butter and 1.5 cups of water. Combine until it forms a stiff dough.
Dark dough – Mix 4 cups of flour and 1/2 cup of cornmeal in a medium bowl. Stir until they are completely combined. Add 1 beaten egg, the molasses, the oil and 1.5 cups of water. Combine until it forms a dough. This dough will be a bit stickier because of the molasses.
As you'll see in my video, it is now time to form the candy canes. Take a small piece of each dough and roll them out into two long strips.
This is your chance to customize these candy cane dog treats to be perfect for the pooch you'll be giving them to. If the dog is small, make small, skinny strips to form a small candy cane. If you're giving them to an extra large dog, make the strips wider for a bigger treat.
You can see how I twist the two strips together to form a candy cane in my video guide above. Just start at the top and twist them together. Form the curve of the candy cane and then twist the strips together to form the shaft of the candy cane.
Bake these treats on a well greased cookie sheet in your 350° for about 18-22 minutes. If you're making very small treats, it won't take as long. If you're making large, thick treats, they may take a little longer to cook.
Store the leftovers in an airtight container or zippered storage bag for up to two weeks. If you're giving these treats as a gift, make sure you tell the dog owner that these treats do not have preservatives, so they won't last nearly as long as commercial dog treats.
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