Every dog has its day – and this is it. Nobody seems to know the origins of Dog Biscuit Day, but every canine in the world knows the best way to celebrate it. Pets will be wagging their tails with glee when their owners serve up unusual or home-made doggy snacks to mark the occasion.
The first dog biscuits were developed in the mid-19th century by American manufacturer James Spratt. He came up with the idea after he visited Liverpool in England, where he observed stray dogs hungrily tucking into ship’s biscuits. The first Spratts biscuits were produced in London, with a secret recipe including both meat and vegetables.
Today, dog biscuits are often used in training and as rewards in the show ring. There are even special types of biscuit which clean dogs’ teeth – so giving your best friend a treat can help to keep him healthy!
To celebrate, here are a few easy recipes to make your favorite pup some home-made dog biscuits.
Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Dog Cookies
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 eggs
½ cup canned pumpkin (NOT the kind used in pumpkin pie, but just plain canned pumpkin)
2 tablespoons peanut butter (check the ingredients – no artificial sweeteners)
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Whisk together the flour, eggs, pumpkin, peanut butter, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add water as needed to help make the dough workable, but the dough should be dry and stiff. Roll the dough into a 1/2-inch-thick roll. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
Bake in preheated oven until hard, about 40 minutes.
Bacon-Flavored Dog Biscuits
Ingredients
2 eggs
1 cup milk
½ cup water
1 teaspoon salt
10 tablespoons bacon fat, melted
5 cups whole wheat flour
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
Beat eggs in a large bowl. Stir in milk, water, salt, and bacon fat until well blended. Gradually stir in flour to make a stiff dough. Pinch off pieces of the dough and roll into 2 inch balls. Place on prepared baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on racks. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator.
Izzy’s Apple-Cheddar Dog Biscuits
Ingredients
2 cups barley flour
1/3 cup shredded cheddar
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper; set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients and about 3 tablespoons water to form a dough. Roll out mixture between two sheets of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thick; remove plastic wrap and cut out biscuits with a 3 1/2-inch bone-shaped cookie cutter. Reroll scraps and continue cutting out biscuits.
Space biscuits 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until nicely browned and firm.
Transfer biscuits to a wire rack. Turn off oven and place biscuits on wire rack in oven overnight. Remove from oven and store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.
Homemade Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Treats
Ingredients:
1 banana
1 cup oat flour
2/3 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup dried parsley
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1 egg, beaten
Preheat the oven to 300°F. Put banana in a large bowl and use a spoon or potato masher to mash it thoroughly. Add oat flour, oats, parsley, peanut butter and egg and stir well to combine. Set aside for 5 minutes.
Roll mixture into 24 balls, using about 1 tablespoon dough for each; transfer to a large parchment paper-lined baking sheet as done. Use the back of a spoon or the heel of your hand to press each ball into a (1 1/2- to 2-inch) coin. Bake until firm and deep golden brown on the bottom, 40 to 45 minutes. Set aside to let cool completely.
Storage note: It’s best to store these in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Or, freeze them to give to your pal later; just be sure to thaw the treats before handing them out.
Turkey & Stuffing Dog Treats
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1 tbsp. dried parsley
2 cups pure pumpkin (not pie filling)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
4 ounce jar of turkey baby food, organic is best (see note)
1 cup of warm water
Preheat oven to 350° F
In a large bowl whisk together the flour, breadcrumbs, and dried parsley.
In a small bowl stir the pumpkin, eggs, turkey baby food, and warm water together until combined.
Make a well in the flour and pour in the turkey mixture.
Stir until combined. The mixture will be very moist.
Spray a baking sheet with non-stick baking spray.
Scoop turkey and stuffing dog treats with a 1 inch cookie scooper onto the baking sheet.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Turn off the oven and let sit for another 30 minutes.
Cool completely before serving.
Storing – Like other homemade dog biscuit recipes, this makes a soft dog treat. Store in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. Keep them in the freezer for 4 months.
There are all sorts of home-made dog cookie recipes out there on the Internet. Just Google “Home-made dog biscuits” and you’ll find dozens of ideas for homemade treats for your favorite companions.
Sources:
Martha Stewart https://www.marthastewart.com/319172/izzys-apple-cheddar-dog-biscuits?center=0&gallery=904143&slide=255424
Allrecipes.com http://allrecipes.com/recipe/133123/peanut-butter-and-pumpkin-dog-treats/
Whole Foods https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/homemade-peanut-butter-and-banana-dog-treats
Dog Treat Kitchen http://www.dogtreatkitchen.com/dog-biscuit-recipes.html
