The holidays can be guilty of demanding your time in the kitchen. Through the hustle and bustle of holiday preparation, many fall guilty of forgetting their furry companions through the winter whirlwind of Christmas time. Instead of limiting them to the scraps that the younger relatives slip under the table, consider trying a recipe that caters to the four-legged family member curled up under your tree. After all the holiday cooking and baking, most of your leftover ingredients can likely be put to use for homemade treats that are sure to get their tails wagging!
Sweet Potato Biscuits
Already popular among holiday dishes, sweet potatoes are the perfect ingredient to whip up a batch of healthy holiday cookies. Using as little as four ingredients, these biscuits can be made with just sweet potatoes, rolled oats, coconut oil, and water alone! After processing about two cups of oats to a flour-like consistency, a half cup of cooked sweet potato and two tablespoons of coconut oil can be added to the mix. Add 2-3 tablespoons of water at a slow pace until the dough is rolled out and ready to go! Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees, and watch your dog’s eyes light up on Christmas morning.
Peanut Butter Pumpkin Bites
While the family enjoys a slice of pumpkin pie, let your pups join in on the fun! Peanut Butter Pumpkin Bites will have the dogs drooling, and the ingredients can likely be found sitting on your pantry shelf already. This canine cookie dough can be made with just one cup of pumpkin puree, a half cup of peanut butter, two cups of oat flour, and a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Once all mixed together, cut the dough with festive cutters or into dog bone shapes for treats that will surely get them in the Christmas spirit. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and the they will be ready for dessert in fifteen short minutes!
Candy Canines
Candy Canines are a fun and festive spin on the traditional Christmas treat, except much healthier for your furry friends. When they give you the puppy eyes for a bite of your candy cane, treat them with one of these instead – it may even freshen their breath too! After combining all wet ingredients (half cup of powdered milk, one cup of water, one large egg, and one teaspoon of peppermint oil), add three cups of whole wheat flour before kneading the dough. To get the candy cane effect, split the dough up into strips to twist into shape. For even more fun, use food coloring to make them even more festive! Bake for ten to twelve minutes for treats that will put your pups in holidog heaven.