Canine Christmas: 2 Holiday Dog Treat Recipes

Every year since I was a little girl, my mom would teach me how to bake some of her favorite cookies and then we would gift them to our neighbors, my teachers, the postman, and of course we would save a couple just for us to enjoy. During those years spent baking deliciousness in our kitchen, our family pets would just stare and drool while we sent the cookies on their way. Well, this year the pups are getting quite the culinary treat because I made two recipes that are to bark for.

First up, my Cranberry Ginger Tail Waggers that are loaded with all things ‘Tis the Season’ worthy, including fresh cranberries, grated ginger, and pumpkin puree. Fresh cranberries are wonderful for dogs and contain anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial qualities that can prevent the growth of E. coli. The cranberry benefits your dog’s pearly whites with proteins that inhibit acid production and allow teeth to defend against oral bacteria. Add in the digestive qualities of ginger and pumpkin and you have yourself one healthy barker on your hands.

The second recipe is my Apple Cinnamon Barkers that are easily created with a few simple pantry ingredients. These doggie treats are high in Vitamin A and C and fiber. The cinnamon is a wonderful ingredient for dogs that helps aid in weight loss and can regulate blood sugar for older dogs. There are so many wonderful benefits to these ingredients that your best friend will thank you with a slobbery kiss.

Cranberry Ginger Tail Waggers

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• ½ cup warm water
• 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
• ½ can pumpkin puree
• 1 cup quick cooking oatmeal
• 1 cup coconut flour
• 1 Tbsp. unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a blender, puree the cranberries, water, and grated ginger till pulverized. Set aside. In the bowl of your Kenmore stand mixer, add the remaining ingredients and mix on low. Slowly increase the speed to medium and slowly add in the cranberry mixture. The dough should be sticky with a little crumble to it. Pour the dough onto a lightly floured surface using the coconut flour. Roll out the dough and cut into your favorite shapes. I used holiday shapes for presents but you can make these treats year round. Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking tray and place the cookies on the tray. Bake for 17-20 minutes or until hard. Let cool in oven for 10 minutes then cool outside of oven for an additional 15 minutes before serving up to your pup.

Apple Cinnamon Barkers

Ingredients:

• 2 1/3 cups coconut flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup finely diced apple
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• ½ cup warm water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk the flour and baking powder. In the bowl of your Kenmore stand mixer, slowly combine the apple, cinnamon, pumpkin puree, egg, and water. While the mixer is on low speed, slowly add in the flour mixture. Scrape down the sides and pour out onto a dry surface. Roll out using a rolling pin and cut into your favorite shapes using a cookie cutter. Bake on a parchment paper lined tray for 15 minutes. Let cool completely and store in an airtight container.

Woof woof! (That’s happy holidays in dog!)