Martha Stewart’s Holiday Dog Cookie Recipe

Ah, do you smell that? That’s the smell of fresh-baked cookies—and it wouldn’t be the holidays without them. For some, they’re perfectly spiced gingerbread cookies; for others, they’re frosting-slathered sugar cookies.

For the queen of baking herself, Martha Stewart, they’re her homemade holiday dog cookies made especially for her four pups: French Bulldogs Creme Brulee and Bete Noire, and Chow Chows Emperor Han and Empress Qin.

And lucky for us all, Stewart’s sharing her dog-approved recipe exclusively with Chewy. 

“My pets get into the holiday spirit just like I do,” Stewart says. “They sense the excitement and definitely take note of all the great smells coming out of the kitchen.”

Break out the Christmas cookie cutters, and put on your aprons (one for you and your dog, of course). It’s time to bake. 

This recipe was reviewed by a veterinarian. It is intended as a treat or snack. As with any human food, pet parents looking to incorporate new foods into their dog’s diet should consult with their veterinarian beforehand. 

• Yield: 24 treats
• Serving size: 1/2–1 treat, depending on the size of your dog
• Prep time: 30 minutes
• Total time: 2 hours

For cookies:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup brewer’s yeast
• 1/2 cup of your dog’s kibble, finely crushed (to size of breadcrumbs)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tbsp canola oil*
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock (without onions or garlic), plus more for brushing

For frosting and toppings:

• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp water
• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
• Your dog’s kibble

• Holiday cookie cutters
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Parchment paper
• Baking sheets
• Pastry brush
• Rolling pin
• Piping bag and tips

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, wheat germ, yeast, ground kibble and salt.
3. Place oil in a large bowl before adding the stock and flour mixture in three alternating batches, beginning and ending with stock, and mix well.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 3/8-inch thick.
5. Shape cookies using holiday-shaped cookie cutters, like Christmas trees or gingerbread men. Be sure to cut cookies that are appropriate for your dog’s size. For small breed dogs, they should be around 1–1 1/2 inches; for medium, 2–2 1/2 inches; and for large, 3–3 1/2 inches.
6. Transfer the shaped dough to parchment-lined baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.
7. Bake the cookies for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, and brush the surface with stock before rotating the baking sheets and baking for another 10 minutes.
8. Turn off the oven, and let the cookies stand in the oven with a closed door until they are dried completely, about 1 1/2 hours.In the meantime, make the cream cheese frosting. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, cornstarch and water, adding additional water to reach desired consistency.
9. Transfer cooled cookies to a wire rack and decorate with the frosting and pieces of Martha Stewart Kibble, breaking the kibble into smaller pieces as desired.

To decorate like a real pro, here are some other decorating ideas, à la Stewart.

Because these holiday dog cookies are homemade treats—and you can customize them however you’d like—why not inscribe the dog’s name or a special holiday message on the cookies?

To do so, use toothpicks—but be sure to wet the toothpick with water before writing. This will help ensure clean handwriting.

Don’t have cream cheese for the frosting? No problem. Make peanut butter frosting instead.

To do so, mix 3 tablespoons of plain, nonfat Greek yogurt with 1 1/2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter without xylitol. (Xylitol is toxic to dogs.)

As you would with any other treat, serve your pooch a small amount. Treats should only constitute a small percentage of your pet’s daily dog food—no more than 10 percent of your pet’s diet (and if your pet is overweight, even less than that).  

For example, if your pet needs 600 calories per day, they should have no more than 60 calories from treats. Feeding too many treats can lead to nutrient deficiencies. 

Each cookie (in a batch of 24) is approximately 45 calories without frosting and approximately 55 calories with frosting, depending on how much frosting is used.

“All dogs deserve to be spoiled at the holidays, but it’s important to not be too generous with the treats as they tend to be higher in fat than their daily kibble,” Stewart says. 

If your pet has health issues (including sensitivities to fats or food allergies) or if you have any concerns, consult your pet’s veterinarian before offering new treats. Sudden changes to your pet’s diet can cause digestive upset. 

Oils are high in fat. In larger quantities, this can cause pancreatitis in sensitive animals. 

To ensure proper food safety, refrigerate any leftover holiday dog treats and consume within three to four days, or transfer to a freezer-safe container and store for up to one month.

Looking for more tasty treats to gift, stuff into your pup’s stocking or wrap and place under the Christmas tree?

Here are some of our favorite store-bought holiday dog treats:

This recipe was reviewed by a veterinarian. It is intended as a treat or snack.