Baking for Barkers

Delectable and delightful dog treat recipes for the discerning pooch

Story and photos by Andrea LeTard

Berry Banana Pupcakes

Makes 12 large or 24 small pupcakes

Grocery list:

½ cup dry dog food

¾ cup all-purpose or whole-wheat flour

½ tablespoon baking powder

2 eggs

2 tablespoons honey

½ to ¾ cup skim milk

1 banana

¼ cup berries (strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries), plus more to top

4 ounces mashed sweet potato

Red food coloring, optional

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Blitz dog food in a food processor until crumbly. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dog food, flour, and baking powder. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the eggs, honey, and ½ cup of the milk. Whisk until smooth and then combine with the dry ingredients. If mixture is still dry, add the rest of the milk. In a small bowl, mash together the banana and berries and fold into the flour mixture. Grease a cupcake pan and evenly spoon in the batter. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until cooked through. Mix together the mashed sweet potato and food coloring and frost the cooled cakes. Top each with a berry. Keep refrigerated.

Apple Pupkin Bites

Makes about 12 large or 24 small squares

Grocery list:

1 cup all-purpose or whole-wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 egg

½ cup pumpkin puree

¼ cup vegetable oil

½ cup skim milk

1 tablespoon maple syrup

½ cup apple — grated with a cheese grater

4 ounces mashed sweet potato

Cinnamon — for dusting, optional

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda. Make a well in the center and add the egg, pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, milk, and maple syrup. Whisk until smooth and then combine with the dry ingredients. Fold the apple into the mixture. Pour into a greased 8x8 baking pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until cake is cooked through. Let cool, run a knife around the edges, and flip onto a cutting board. Cut into large or small squares. Pipe cream cheese on top of each square and dust with cinnamon.

Honey Bourbon Bacon

Grocery list (4 servings):

8 slices thick-cut bacon

2 tbsp honey

1 tbsp bourbon

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Lay bacon slices flat on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Combine honey and bourbon in a small bowl and heat in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Brush mixture onto bacon and put back in the oven for another 5 to 10 minutes or until crisp. Watch closely, so it doesn’t burn. Set aside on paper towels.

Delectable and delightful dog treat recipes for the discerning pooch

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