Don’t forget about your dog when baking holiday goodies
Happy December. This is one of the best times of the year with the holiday season under way. Hanukkah has started and Christmas is on its way. Holiday celebrations are being planned, decorations are going up, people are out shopping and family traditions are being observed.
Like many families, one of our traditions is baking. We make our favorite holiday cookie recipes and even the occasional pecan pie. My recipes include several for dog cookies.
The HSUS offers several recipes for homemade dog treats. One is Catherine Hess’ recipe for homemade dog cookies. Here is her recipe for Bowser Biscuits:
Ÿ 2 cups cooked and cooled carrots
Ÿ 1 ripe banana, peeled or another cup of cooked, cooled vegetables
Ÿ 1 cup soy mild
Ÿ 1 ½ cups peanut butter
Ÿ 2 tablespoons molasses
Ÿ 2 cups whole wheat flour
Ÿ 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ cup nutritional yeast (optional)
Ÿ 2 cups white flour, plus more for dusting
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Blend the banana and vegetables (you can substitute peas, green beans or your dog’s favorite vegetable) in a food processor. Add the soy milk, peanut butter, molasses and blend again.
Sift together the whole wheat flour and baking powder, add to wet mixture, blending well.
Pour the batter into a large bowl. Add the nutritional yeast, if using, and 1 cup of white flour and stir thoroughly. Knead in the second cup of white flour, adding more flour if necessary to make a stiff dough. Divide the dough into 4 parts.
Roll out a piece of dough on a floured board to 1⁄8 of an inch thick. Use a cookie cutter or knife to cut into shapes. Place the biscuits on an ungreased baking sheet. The cookies don’t spread so they can be placed close together.
Bake 10 minutes or until they start to turn brown. Turn the cookies over and bake them for another 10 minutes. They should be as crisp as crackers.
Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.
Repeat with the other three portions of dough, or freeze it to bake later.
Store the cooled biscuits in a covered container in the refrigerator.
If you’re a limited on time, but still want to make a homemade treat for your dog, this second recipe from the HSUS is one both you and your dog will appreciate. The recipe is for Sweet Potato Jerky.
Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Cut sweet potatoes into ½-inch to 2⁄3-inch thick strips. Place on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 3 to 4 hours. Cool. Store in airtight container (s).
Whether you use these recipes or have a favorite of your own, its always nice to make something homemade for our dogs. Homemade dog treats are nice to give as gifts, too.
Remember to include the Buddy Foundation in your holiday activities. Join us for photos with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and his elves from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 7 and 19, at the Buddy Foundation Shelter, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights.
Bring your pets and children for photos and enjoy our bake sale and craft item. Donation is $7.50 per photo.
Ÿ The Buddy Foundation is a nonprofit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter dedicated to the welfare of stray, abused and abandoned cats and dogs. The shelter is at 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit thebuddyfoundation.org.