Monday, January 14, 2013

Baking Day.....for the DOGS





Can someone please tell me what's going on with Blogger! All these different sized texts that I didn't program in. I hope they "fix" this soon

I had a choice of getting out in the rain and cold and driving 5 miles to buy dog treats, or finding a recipe and making them. I opted for the latter.

It was the first time in years I've baked dog treats. I did so in the 1970s for my sweet little Cocker Spanier, Gamby. I made them back then because someone gave me a cute cookie cutter in the shape of a bone. The cutter is long gone, but I found a plain old cookie cutter that worked just fine. The dogs certainly don't care about the shape.

Here's the recipe I used (from all.recipes.com).

1 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup margarine
1 cup boiling water
3/4 cup cornmeal
2 teaspoons white sugar
2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
1/2 cup milk
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
egg, beaten
3 cups whole wheat flour

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, margarine, and boiling water. Let stand 10 minutes. Grease cookie sheets

Thoroughly stir in cornmeal, sugar, bouillon, milk, Cheddar cheese, and egg.




Looks good enough to eat, doesn't it? (I tasted one after baking, and no, not so good to my taste)


.Mix in flour, 1 cup at a time, until a stiff dough has formed.

Knead dough on a lightly floured surface, mixing in additional flour as necessary until dough is smooth and no longer sticky.

Roll or pat out dough to 1/2" thickness.

The dough was easy to work with; don't forget to dust the kneeding/rolling surface heavily with flour.


Cut with cookie cutter, and place 1 inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets.

Bake 35 to 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Cool before serving. Store in a loosely covered container.

Using the cutter I had, the yield was three dozen treats.

Here are the substitutions I made in the recipe:

  • I used chicken broth instead of milk.
  • Since I didn't have whole wheat flour, I used two cups white and one cup oat bran.
  • Substituted canola oil for margarine


They look like Ritz crackers, don't they? I'm likely going to store these in the refrigerator, at least most of them. to avoid mold.

I read the reviews and one person said these don't last as long as commercial brands due to no added preservatives. It might be a good idea to keep the dough refrigerated and bake only enough to last a few days, or refrigerate the baked ones.

The recipe uses corn meal; some dogs may be allergic.

One person left out the bouillon and cheese and substituted peanut butter.

Not a super-healthy recipe because of the white flour; but these are probably  more healthy than grocery store variety.


Water droplets frozen on cedar tree branches.

So this is how I spent my Monday morning. By afternoon, ice was beginning to form on tree limbs and there's a potential we could have an ice storm tonight. It all depends on just how cold it gets outside.

A goofy-looking picture of Valerie, not helped by my not holding the camera still.
Now, that's better.

Kris giving his sad look. But it IS cold outside!

By now the dogs have tried the dog treats and given a paw up. I told them not to get used to this homemade variety though. While they are easy enough to make, I don't believe I want to do this every week!

So how did you spend your Monday?

12 comments:

  1. Hello Sanda


    What a very productive day and the doggies look very happy. I am sure, like homemade pies, these cookies are infinitely better than store bought. Have a glorious week

    Helen xx

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    Replies
    1. I sometimes tell people, Helen, that I don't have a life; that I have two Golden Retrievers! I devote much time to their happiness and well being but they are worth it!

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  2. Hello Sanda, the dog cookies do look delicious, but perhaps not to our taste. I'll bet the dogs love them, and of course they are healthier. But I'd not want to make them every week either. Doggies look beautiful as ever, and love that pic of frost on a tree. Sigh!

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    Replies
    1. They do like these treats. Kris has never met a morsel of anything he didn't like. Val, on the other hand, is a bit more picky. The frost on the trees made it seem like a winter wonderland yesterday. It's raining again today and the ice has gone. Winter is nice only in pictures, Patricia!

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  3. Your picture of the Cedar Tree branch is wonderful. Glad to hear that your treats were enjoyed by your lovely dogs. It is fun to cook for others, isn't it?

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    Replies
    1. I was rather pleased with that picture, too, Beryl. Thanks. Cedars are one of my favorite trees. Nice to cook for those who appreciate it; the dogs definitely did!

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  4. Such darling dogs must have appreciated all the work you went to. Home made is no doubt so much better than the stuff from the store. Sure you don't want to keep it up?

    Darla

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Darla. They really are such sweeties; so devoted to me as well! Hmm, I'll have to think about keeping up baking the dog treats.

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  5. Oh my, I love your two! Those faces! They would get away with ANYTHING in my household. :) And no way am I giving piggy Ben homemade treats! He would beg for the whole bag!!!

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    1. Oh, they do get away with most anything, Heather. One look from those doe eyes and I melt. I wonder if all Goldens aren't little greedy pigs?

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  6. My, I have never heard anyone baking dog crackers. You really are wonderful.
    We favor a homemade porridge over here, which is recommended by many dog breeders and owners, especially for a growing pup ( I´ll have to look it up ), but no recipe for crackers.
    Kris and Valerie look adorable. Do you give them treats often?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was sheer laziness that made me bake those dog treats. I didn't want to get out in the rain to go to the store to buy any! I'd be interested to know more about the homemade porridge you mention. If you locate the recipe, could you pass it along?

      The dogs get treats after they go outside to take care of business and/or after their walks. So, about 4-5 times a day they get a dog biscuit.

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