Kitchen Adventures: Doggone good treats

By BECCA OWSLEY
The News-Enterprise

Becca Owsley

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Becca Owsley

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Not all baking has to be for people. Dogs  often  torturously   watch their owners whip p delicious smelling treats in their kitchens without even getting a single crumb of it.

If you’re passionate about baking but in no mood to eat something yourself, make something for your loyal four-legged companion.

When the tainted pet food scare happened a few years ago, owners were looking for alternatives for pet treats to avoid the possibility of purchasing something tainted. There were already dog treat recipes out there, but after that incident the ideas boomed on the Internet.

Occasionally, for holidays and birthdays, my dogs, Boo and Duke, get homemade dog treats and often make up goodie bags to share with their puppy friends. They don’t really do anything in this process but lay in the floor, waiting for the treats to be finished but you get the picture.

These treats can be made in any shape but bone shaped cookie cutters are easy to find in a variety of sizes. Boo prefers the extra large size cookie cutter to make a monster-size treat.

Dogs are not supposed to eat chocolate but you can find a chocolate substitute called carob online. Treats can be dipped in the carob if you want to get fancy.

The recipes are usually pretty simple and use items safe for your dog to eat. Actually, they often look good enough for humans to give them a taste.

The peanut butter biscuits are Boo and Duke’s favorites. But they probably would eat anything sat in front of them, so don’t gage their worth solely on their preference.

They are also simple to make and made with items found in most people’s cupboards. Mix up the ingredients, roll out the dough, cut with cookie cutters and bake.

Becca Owsley can be reached at (270) 505-1741 or bowsley@thenewsenterprise.com.

Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits
1 cup flour
¼ cup oats
¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
½ tablespoon baking powder
½ cup creamy organic peanut butter (or regular peanut butter)
½ cup milk
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon applesauce 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Mix in remaining ingredients.
Knead into a well incorporated ball. On wax paper, roll out dough to a half an inch think.
Using cookie cutters, cut out treats and place on a baking sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Store in an airtight container.

Recipe from www.pinkpistachio.com