For many of us the holidays means shopping and decorating but also great food! During this time of year we throw out our diets until after the new year and partake of the many treats that are such a big part of the holiday tradition. Let us not forget, however, our furry friends. Why shouldn't they also enjoy some treats during the holidays? Also, with budgets so tight recently, many people are looking for inexpensive or even homemade gifts for their friends and family.
For this post I thought I would post some of Ashley's favorite homemade treats. These could make a great addition to a pet lovers gift basket for friends or family who have dogs. I've tried each of these recipes and Ashley loved each treat. I should also tell you that I'm really not much of a cook and Ashley is rather picky about her treats so I they worked for us, they should work for anyone :-)
Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits
1 1/2 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 medium eggs
1/4 cup natural crunchy peanut butter
2 tablespoons vanilla
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup unbleached flour
1 cup cornmeal
3/4 cup rolled oats
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix together the water,
oil, eggs, peanut butter and vanilla. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine
the dry ingredients. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and beat
with an electric mixer until smooth. Roll the dough into a ball and place it on a
sheet of floured wax paper. Roll or pat out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 to
1/2 inch. Cut the dough with a cookie cutter (preferably one shaped like a dog
biscuit) and place the biscuits on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 20
minutes. Turn off the heat and leave the biscuits in the oven for one hour.
Makes 1 to 2 dozen biscuits, depending on the size of your cookie cutters.
Pooch Peanut Butter Swirls
Dough #1
4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 1/3 cups water
1/3 cup peanut butter
1 egg
Dough #2
4 cups whole wheat flour
2/3 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup banana -- mashed
1 egg
1 1/4 cups water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons cinnamon
Combine all #1 ingredients and mix thoroughly. Knead on a lightly floured surface. Set aside.
Combine all #2 ingredients and mix thoroughly. Knead on a lightly floured surface.
Roll each dough separately to a 1/8 inch thickness, into rectangles. Lightly brush a little water over the
top of the light dough. Place the dark dough on top, then roll up like a jelly roll. Wrap the roll in plastic
and chill in the freezer for one hour. Cut the roll into 1/4 inch slices. Place them on a cookie sheet
sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.
Pumpkin-Patch Biscuits
1-1/2 c. whole wheat flour 1 T. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
4 T. butter flavored shortening 1/2 c. solid pack canned pumpkin
1 egg 1/2 c. buttermilk
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg and cut in shortening. Beat egg with milk and pumpkin, and combine with flour, mixing well. Stir until soft dough forms. Drop by tablespoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool and serve. Enjoy.
Holiday Gifts for Pets and Pet Lovers
I know that it's easy to get treats from the store but there's really nothing like home cooking. Friends will appreciate the time and effort you put into making these treats for their dog. Consider also, the added health benefit that natural food with no artificial flavors and coloring have for your dog. You could put the treats in holiday plastic treat bags to give or include them as a part of the gift basket.
If you are looking for other holiday gift ideas try my Gifts for Pets and Pet Lovers suggestions. Also try Animal Den - this Animal Lovers Gift Shop is highly recommended. Great products, top service, five stars.
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