Make These Pet-Safe Holiday Cookie Recipes For Dogs

‘Tis the season to bake cookies!

Get your pup into the holiday foodie tradition of baking treats with two pet-safe holiday cookie recipes for dogs that we’ve created just for you.

The first recipe for dogs is a take on the classic crispy, crunchy iced and decorated or stamped “sugar” cookie that is sure to prompt plenty of happy woofs and wags. The second pet-safe cookie recipe for dogs is a nod to a chewy, chunky “kitchen sink” cookie that has all the flavors of a great holiday meal in one snackable, healthy treat. To each recipe we’ve added ground-up kibble and dog-safe bone broth for extra nutrition.

Both recipes were created by cookbook authors and co-founders of Trunk Pop Dinners Marge Perry and David Bonom. Vet-approved, easy to make and super yummy, these can be whipped-up during the festive season or really for any holiday (or just because want to spoil your furry bestie!)

Crank up the carols, toss on a holiday sweater and spend an afternoon making the ultimate holiday treat. Bake extra—these make thoughtful gifts to share with other pet parents. And, we’ve included downloadable pet-safe holiday cookie recipes for dogs that you can share on Pinterest or with friends.

(Crispy or chewy? What’s your favorite type of holiday cookie? Tell us in the comments below.)

1 cup Stella & Chewy Wild Red Dry Dog Food, finely ground in a food processor

2 and 1/3 cups whole wheat flour (plus extra for rolling dough)

1 cup bone broth for dogs (like The Honest Kitchen Daily Boosters Turkey Bone Broth)

1 large egg, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons real maple syrup (do not substitute imitation maple syrup which can contain Xylitol which is toxic to dogs)

3 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons water

1 ounce Neufchâtel cheese, softened

Drops of natural food coloring if desired (we recommend McCormick Nature’s Inspiration Food Colors)

Food processor

Hand mixer

Mixing bowls

Measuring cups and spoons

Rolling pin

Baking sheets

Parchment paper

Cookie cutters

Letter stamp kit

Piping bag and tips

Download Printable Recipe Card

Yield:
12-24 cookies

Serving size:
1 treat

Prep time:
20 minutes

Cook time:
25 minutes

1. Mix cornstarch and water in a bowl until dissolved.
2. Add softened Neuchâtel cheese and beat with a hand mixer on medium until smooth.
3. Add food coloring to mixture*. If you want white icing with colorful accent, pour some of the prepared icing into a smaller bowl and just tint that amount.

4. Allow to sit at room temperature while the cookies bake, or chill if making icing well in advance.

*Note about food coloring: We advise using a natural food coloring which is pet safe.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. Combine ground kibble and whole wheat flour in a medium bowl and mix well.
3. Combine re-constituted bone broth, beaten egg and real maple syrup in a small bowl.
4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix well to combine. Mixture will come together to form a ball of raw dough.

1. Gently knead dough in the bowl until smooth.
2. Place ball of dough on a floured surface and roll out using a flour-dusted rolling pin.
3. Dip cookie cutters into flour and press firmly into rolled dough to make shape.
4. Cut out all shapes in prepared dough and pull away excess to reveal cut out portions.
5. Gather dough scraps into a ball, roll out on a floured surface and cut again with floured cutters.
6. If using letter stamp kit, assemble words and then press firmly into dough.
7. Place all cut out shapes on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Put tray into pre-heated oven and bake until lightly browned and the cookies are fairly hard, about 25 minutes (check at 20 minutes). Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

1. To fully cover a baked, cooled cookie with icing, spread prepared icing with the back of a spoon. This is known as “flooding”. If icing is too firm, thin with a drop or two of water, mixing well.
2. Let icing harden, about 20 minutes.
3. Decorate with additional icing that has been put into an icing bag with the tip of your choice.
4. Pipe icing onto the cookies into a pattern you love.
5. Let piped icing harden about 20 minutes.

We know you will enjoy making the rolled cookie, but maybe you’re also looking for something fast and easy that provides a different texture to your cookie platter. Our second of our pet-safe holiday cookie recipes for dogs is a fun drop cookie that’s chewy and chunky and chockfull of good-for-dogs stuff. Because it contains meat, this cookie that must be kept refrigerated after baking. Ready? Let’s bake!

2 1/3 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup bone broth for dogs (we used The Honest Kitchen Daily Boosters Turkey Bone Broth)

1/4 cup natural peanut butter (do not substitute sugar-free or any peanut butter with Xylitol which can be toxic to dogs)

3 “bacon” strips, cut into 1/4-inch pieces (we used Blue Buffalo Sizzlers with Cheddar Bacon-Style Dog Treats)

1/2 cup finely chopped skinless turkey breast

1/3 cup diced apple

1/3 cup (we love Stella & Chewy Wild Red Dry Dog Food) finely ground in a food processor

3 tablespoons fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped

Food processor

Mixing bowl

Measuring cups and spoons

Chopping knife

Sheet pans

Parchment paper

Download Printable Recipe Card

Tightly sealed storage container

Yield:
About 3 dozen cookies

Serving size:
1 treat

Prep time:
10 minutes

Cook time:
35-40 minutes

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. Place flour, broth and peanut butter in a medium sized bowl, mixing until moistened. Add chopped “bacon” pieces, turkey, apple, kibble and cranberries and mix well.
3. Drop by slightly rounded tablespoons onto prepared sheet pan. Slightly flatten each mound to approximately 1/2-inch thick.
4. Bake until browned and the outside of the cookies is slightly crisped, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

We hope you treat your favorite very good boys and girls to some holiday treats this year and beyond with our pet-safe holiday cookie recipes for dogs. What we love about both of these recipes is how they can be used all year round. Don’t save them for the holidays!

To ensure proper food safety, refrigerate prepared cookies and consume within 3-4 days or transfer to a freeze-safe container and store for up to 1 month. These recipes were reviewed by a veterinarian. They are intended as a treat or snack. Treats should only constitute a small percentage of your pet’s daily food. Feeding too many treats can lead to nutrient deficiencies. If your pet has health issues (including sensitivities to fats) or if you have any concerns, consult your pet’s veterinarian before offering these food items.