SOME IDEAS FOR BAKING WITH YOUR PUPS
Some of our dog training clients have been very creative throughout Lockdown. I asked Janet to put together some of her recipes so we can all have a go. Enjoy!
By Janet Buckmaster
Well, when lockdown came upon us like many, I was sent to work from home – working in travel you can imagine work was far and few between and I needed to do something to keep me busy. My thoughts turned to Sasha my 5-year-old GSD, I had from time to time made her homemade treats but now I had the time to experiment and make all sorts of different treats which could be shared with her friends or frozen.
Here are some I have had fun with:
Pupcakes
· ¼ heaped cup apple sauce – can use baby food
· ¼ cup Peanut Butter / dog friendly – see notes below
· ¼ cup natural yogurt
· ½ cup finely shredded carrot
· 1 Egg
· ½ teaspoon baking powder
· ¾ cup wholemeal baking flour
· A drizzle of honey to sweeten if required
Topping
· A mix of peanut butter, yogurt and maybe a bit of honey to sweeten
· Or try Cream Cheese as a topping
· Dog Biscuits for decoration
Method
1. Preheat your Oven to 180C/160C Fan 350F and get 6 cupcake cases ready
2. Add your peanut butter, applesauce and yogurt, honey if using and mix well then add carrot and egg.
3. Add in the Flour and Baking Powder and mix till combined - it will be quite thick.
4. Add in water a little at a time if needed
5. Split evenly between the cases and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes
6. Leave the Pupcakes to cool fully.
7. Spread over a teaspoon of cream cheese per Pupcake then add on a dog biscuit for decoration and to stop those hooman’s thinking they are for them
· IMPORTANT - You MUST make sure your Peanut Butter does NOT contain Xylitol - it's poisonous for dogs. It's also best to use one with no added Salt.
· I use the smooth Meridian Peanut Butter!
Easy Carrot and Sweet Potato Dog Biscuits
3 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup baked sweet potato
1/2 cup finely shredded carrots
1 egg
3/4 cup water
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350º F / 180 C or 160C for a fan oven
Line baking tray with greaseproof paper
In a large bowl, add the flour, sweet potato, carrots, egg and water.
Mix well until all the ingredients are combined.
Continue to knead until you get a big dough ball.
Either with your hands or a rolling pin, flatten out dough ball to about 1/4" in thickness.
Cut out shapes with a cookie cutter and place them onto the lined baking tray.
Bake for approximately 30 minutes, until biscuits are golden.
Cool on wire rack.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week OR freeze for up to 3 months.
If your dog has a wheat sensitivity, you can switch out the whole wheat flour for oat flour. The consistency may just be a little different.
Burger Bites
1. 5oz – 140gm – 1 cup of wholemeal baking flour
2. 4oz – 113gm – 1 cup of rolled oats
3. 12oz – 340gm – 2 cups of minced beef or lamb
4. 1 egg
5. 2oz – 60gm – 1/3 cup of garden peas
6. 1 large shredded carrot
7. 1 chopped apple (small pieces)
8. ½ cup water – use if needed
Instructions
1. Heat oven 350 F 180C or 160 C fan ovens
2. Mix the apple peas and carrot together
3. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until all ingredients are combined add water if needed a little at a time
4. Using a teaspoon take the mixture and make little burgers placing on a greased or lined baking tray
5. Bake until golden brown approx. 45 mins
6. Turn off oven – open the oven door to let steam out and leave the burgers to cool down / dry out
Frozen treats
I mash some banana with natural yogurt and freeze in molds, you can use ice cube trays
What about mixed banana and peanut butter, or Blueberry and yogurt and you can use all sorts of fruits
Have fun, experiment, try layering banana and yogurt mix and top with strawberry and yogurt
Another treat for the fridge – mix together equal amounts of peanut butter and coconut oil (warm the oil to melt it) and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, put in molds and refrigerate till set, will need to be stored in the fridge or frozen
There are so many different recipes on the internet and cook books for help – here are a few links to some of the things I have used, you can also adapt them to your dogs needs and tastes. I hope you enjoy.
