Brewers Yeast Beast Treats - baked just in time for flea season

SIGNATURE DOG TREATS

Every once in a while, I will have a new delicious dog treat recipe for you to bake for your beloved dog. I kitchen-test all the dog treat recipes twice myself. These yummy dog treats are wholesome, easy to re-create in your own kitchen and fun to make. After a long dog walk at the beach, puppy socialization, or a trip to the groomer, these delicious dog treats make great rewards for your dog!

These dog treats are also available for existing clients to purchase for a nominal donation that I give to a local dog charity in need, just send me an email and I will bring them to our next scheduled dog walk, dog sitting, dog visit, or puppy visit.

MAUI MUT MUNCHIES

As soon as I returned home from my trip to the beautiful and relaxing island of Maui - I whipped up these dog cookies for my in-home-boarding dogs and for Roman and Madeline (my own dogs). Not only is it important for humans to have high-quality foods - it is also important for our dogs too! Your dog will not only love these yummy and healthy Maui-inspired dog cookies but his coat may also benefit from their ingredients. I hope you will enjoy making these dog cookies for your beloved dog and perhaps you will be inspired to take a vacation to Maui and enjoy the beautiful unspoiled and uncrowded beaches as I did. Or...at least hula away the night!

Preheat oven to 325º
Prepare cookie sheet with a non-stick spray or parchment paper

INGREDIENTS & SUPPLIES (use organic whenever possible)

2 cups whole wheat flour (add extra flour as needed)
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 oat bran
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup to 3/4 cup cut-up dried pineapple (no sugar added)
1/2 cup water
1 cup pineapple juice (or skim milk or chicken broth)
1 large egg

INSTRUCTIONS

Toss all the dry ingredients into one bowl, mix and put aside
Put all the other ingredients into a bowl and mix well
Add dry ingredients and mix up until you have a dough (not too much)
Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes - at the end of the 30 minutes if the dough is too sticky add a little extra flour
Once well blended into a ball, lightly flour your workspace and knead the ball of dough a couple times. Roll out to no more than 1/2 inch in thickness and then cut into shapes. Be sure to press hard to have a clean cut!
Place onto prepared your prepared baking sheet
Baking time is approximate based on your oven and the size of your dog cookies but you can estimate about 35 to 40 minutes
Makes about 30 yummy dog cookies, Aloha!

CRANBERRY GINGER SWEETHEART COOKIES

Just in time for Valentines Day or anytime your want to show your dog or puppy your love for them, that is of course after a great dog walk, dog hike or training session. These dog cookies are not only fun to make - but also make great gifts for the dog lover on Valentines' Day. Wrap them up in some cellophane or parchment paper and tie with a nice pink or red bow and 'voila' you have a sweet gift to go. This recipe makes about 30 dog cookies (depending on your cookie cutter size) and half this of course if you double them up to make sandwiches. Usually, I prefer to to leave them as singles as they keep longer, but this Valentines' Day I am making a special batch for my own dogs and will spread the insides of the sandwiches with a bit of cream cheese mixed up with minced (unsweetened) cranberries. My dogs have been especially good and deserve something extra yummy!

Preheat oven to 350º
Prepare cookie sheet with a non-stick spray or parchment paper

INGREDIENTS & SUPPLIES (use organic whenever possible)

1 cup flour (rice or wheat)
1 cup oat bran
1 cup oats
1 tablespoon of fresh finely minced or grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 unsweetened/unflavoured yogurt
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons of honey
1 large egg
If making sweetheart sandwiches you will need:
Light cream cheese
Finely minced unsweetened cranberries

INSTRUCTIONS

Toss all the dry ingredients into one bowl, mix and put aside (not cranberries)
Put all the other ingredients into a bowl and mix well
Add dry ingredients and mix up until you have a dough (not too much)
Once well blended into a ball, lightly flour your workspace and knead the ball of dough a few times. Roll out to no more than 1/4 inch in thickness and then cut into heart shapes. Be sure to press hard to have a clean cut!
Place onto prepared baking sheet
Baking time is approximate based on your oven and the size of your dog cookies but you can estimate about 12 to 15 minutes or just as soon as the dog cookies are looking all golden brown and yummy
For sweetheart sandwiches - just mix up a bit of cream cheese with your already minced cranberries and spread the underside of the dog cookie and match up with the underside of another dog cookie. Make sure they are completely cooled down though. Love will soon be in the air in your kitchen. xoxoxox

SWEET APPLE PUMPKIN POOCH MUFFINS

These delicious and healthy dog muffins are really easy to make and take about 10 minutes to prepare. This recipe makes about 20 to 24 dog muffins (depending on their size).

Preheat oven to 350º
Prepare cookie sheet with a non-stick spray or parchment paper

INGREDIENTS & SUPPLIES (use organic whenever possible)

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon of cinnamon
1 cup canned pumpkin - not spiced or pie filling
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon of honey
2 tablespoons of molasses
1 large egg
1 apple - skin removed and cut into tiny cubes

INSTRUCTIONS

Toss all the dry ingredients into one bowl, mix and put aside
Put all the other ingredients into a bowl and mix well
Prepare apple and add to bowl of non-dry ingredients
Add dry ingredients and mix up until you have a dough (not too much)
Drop spoonfuls onto baking sheet - if you make your dog muffins large like I do you will need to adjust your baking time considerably
Baking time is approximate based on your oven and the size of your dog muffins but you can estimate about 20 to 25 minutes for a muffin on the small side
Once they cool give one to your dog, he will love these Sweet Apple Pumpkin Pooch Muffins and beg for more. Keep these dog muffins in your fridge and freeze any extra as they won't keep. Not only will your dog have a delicious new dog treat to eat when he comes home from a long dog walk or a trip to the groomer but your kitchen will smell good too!

FLAX STIX (This treat is great for your dog or pup's skin & coat)

This healthy dog treat is easy to make and takes about 15 to 20 minutes to prepare and makes about 20 to 24 treats (depending on their size).

Preheat oven to 350º
Prepare cookie sheet with a non-stick spray or parchment paper

INGREDIENTS & SUPPLIES (use organic whenever possible)

2 cups whole wheat flour (wheat allergies – use rice flour)
½ cup ground flax seeds (purchase pre-ground to save time)
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons flax oil
½ cup (approx.) of chicken stock (chicken allergies - use apple juice)
2 tablespoons of honey
1 large egg
1 tablespoon of peanut butter or small handful of grated cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

Toss all the dry ingredients into one bowl, mix and put aside
Put all the other ingredients into a bowl and whisk
Add dry ingredients and mix up until you have firm dough
Prepare dough for rolling out by making it into a ball
Lightly oil or flour your countertop and roll out the dough about 1/2 inch is good (no rolling pin – no problem just press down with palms of your hand)
Cut lengthwise into one inch wide strips and crosswise into sticks to suit your dog's size and place onto prepared cookie sheet
Baking time is approximate based on your oven and the size of your treats but you can estimate about 20 to 25 minutes for a softer treat. If your dog enjoys crunchy treats leave the treats in the oven for another 15 minutes - but make sure you turn the oven off. As the oven cools down the treats will firm up and dry out as they cool. And, they won't last long as your dog or puppy will just love these dog treats that are good for both their skin and coat!

The original version of this recipe appeared in September's Dogs in Canada Magazine

BREWERS YEAST BEAST TREATS

This quick and easy dog treat recipe is fun to make and my dogs love them! And there are even some vets out there that suggest brewers yeast can help prevent fleas. This recipe takes about 15 to 20 minutes to prepare and makes about 20 to 24 cookies (depending on their size).

Preheat oven to 375º
Prepare cookie sheet with some veggie oil or a non-stick spray

INGREDIENTS & SUPPLIES (use organic whenever possible)

1 cup whole wheat flour (wheat allergies – use rice flour)
½ cup rolled oats
½ cup brewers yeast
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
½ cup of chicken or beef stock (beef or chicken allergies - use apple juice)
rolling pin (if you have – but not necessary)
cookie cutter (or use small glass)

INSTRUCTIONS

Toss all the dry ingredients into one bowl and put aside
Put oil and stock or apple juice into a bowl and whisk
Add dry ingredients and mix up really well
Prepare dough for rolling out by making it into a ball
Lightly oil your countertop and roll out the dough about ¼ inch is good (no rolling pin – no problem just press down with palms of your hand)
Use cat shaped cookie cutters for fun (or a glass will work)
Baking time is approximate based on your oven and the size of your dog muffins but you can estimate about 15 to 20 minutes

With the warm weather here now, I like to freeze these treats for my dogs.

BROWNIES TO BARKFOR

Preheat oven to 350º
Prepare 8” by 8” square pan with some veggie oil or a non-stick spray

BROWNIE INGREDIENTS

2 organic bananas – the riper the better
½ cup organic peanut butter
2 tablespoons organic vegetable oil
2 tablespoons liquid honey
2 large organic eggs
1 cup organic whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon organic baking powder
¼ cup organic almonds

OPTIONAL ICING INGREDIENTS

¼ cup organic cream cheese (room temperature)
1 – 2 tablespoons of carob powder

INSTRUCTIONS

Crack 2 eggs into large bowl and beat by hand
Add bananas, peanut butter, oil, honey, and almonds and mash together (lumpy is ok)
Add flour and baking powder into the above wet mixture and stir until mixed
Spoon into square cake pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, depending on your oven. The brownies will be golden in colour and spongy on top when done
Once cooled, I mix up some organic cream cheese and some carob powder and use as icing for the brownies

These dog treats are very rich, so not too many. They keep well in the freezer and your dog will love them. Yum!