In this time of economic crisis, we're all looking to save money and pinch pennies. Here's one way to save a few bucks while having fun and making sure that your dog is eating high-quality, healthy treats-make them yourself! Since I've been dieting, I've missed having the homey aroma of cookies baking in the oven wafting through the house. Now that I bake for my four darling Bichon Frise puppies, the house smells great and the pups are all very happy! Here are a few of my favorite recipes to get you started; but remember, each dog is unique and each recipe can be altered to meet your sweetie's needs and likes.
1. Gingerbread Dog Biscuits
These are great for the holidays or all year long-the spicy aroma fills your home with love and your pup's tummy with yummy goodness!
Ingredients:
1 cup molasses
4 tablespoons honey
1 cup water
cup vegetable oil
6 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger or one teaspoon dried ginger
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine molasses, honey, water, and oil in a medium bowl. In another bowl mix the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until well combined. Divide dough into four sections and roll each piece into a ball. Wrap each ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3-5 hours.
After the dough is well-chilled, place on a lightly floured surface and roll out into inch thickness. Cut dough with a cookie cutter into desired shape. Bake 10-15 minutes, or until lightly brown around the edges.
2. Gone Bananas!
Ingredients:
6 medium sized bananas
6 cups quick oats
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
2 tablespoons ground flax seed (optional)
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup chopped peanuts (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mash the bananas in a bowl. You can use a fork or a potato masher, whatever you have on hand. Add applesauce, peanut butter, flax seed and honey. Mix well and then stir in the oats. Form cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet. Either drop by spoonful, or form into small round cookies. Bake approximately 20-30 minutes until firm. Remove from the oven and transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
3. Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
This is the all time favorite of my sweeties. The allure of pumpkin, oatmeal, and spices is irresistible (I've even tried one or two myself!)
Ingredients:
1 egg
1(15 oz) can pumpkin or sweet potato puree
1-2 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 cup Whole wheat flour
1-2 teaspoons Cinnamon
5 cups Quick Cooking Oats
2 tablespoons Applesauce (no sugar added)
3 tablespoons ground flax seed
1 teaspoon Vanilla (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Lightly beat the egg. Add honey, applesauce, pumpkin, flax seed, and cinnamon. Mix well until combined. Add flour and baking powder. Mix until just combined. Add quick cooking oats and mix well. The dough will be stiff. Take a small spoonful of dough, roll into a ball, and flatten. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes (until golden brown). Will yield approximately 6-7 dozen cookies (depending on the size).
Allow to cool on cookie sheet for a few minutes. Remove to a wire rack and cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
4. Pumpkin-Peanut Pupcakes Ingredients: 2 cups water cup canned pumpkin 1 egg (slightly beaten) teaspoon vanilla extract cup peanut butter (chunky) 3 cups whole-wheat flour cup oats 1 tablespoon baking powder teaspoon nutmeg teaspoon cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl mix water, pumpkin, egg, vanilla, and peanut butter thoroughly. In a large bowl combine flour, oats, baking powder, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Mix wet and dry ingredients together and stir well. Spoon into a greased mini muffin pan, making sure to fill each cup completely and piled high. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until firm (but not too brown). Cool completely and store in an open container or paper bag in the refrigerator. Makes 30 mini pupcakes.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. The possibilities are endless and the end-result? You'll have wholesome treats for a fraction of the cost.