Sweet Girl's Baking Bliss

                                                                               What to give neighbors and friends at Christmas is always a quandary.  Sweet goodies are tempting and everywhere during the holidays. Most of our friends are dog people, and our dogs are all friends with each other.  I wanted to make something a little different and decided to make treats for gifts that are good and good for dogs and humans.  

A local church's women's group has an auction every November to raise money for their projects.  I've been going for 20 years.  The luncheon is prepared by the church women. Very yummy food! They need to make a cookbook of luncheon recipes. At the last auction I bought dog treats made by a friend's daughter, Jenna.  Now, let me tell you, Jenna has serious love for her dogs. Daisy and Lucy were both in her wedding. I knew dog treats Jenna made would be healthy and good.  Sweet Girl agreed!


 I couldn't find a recipe for Jenna's dog treats, so I made one from common ingredients of many treat recipes I found online. Sweet Gril is a cupboard-lover. She comes running with the crinkle of a butter wrapper or the first whiff of cheese. She is my loyal companion anytime I am working in the bakery. First thing every morning, she checks the floor for goodies she missed the day before.  (She rarely finds anything!) 






I know this is a dog treat recipe, but I just had to try it. Surprisingly, it is very good. Not sweet, a hint of cinnamon, just the right texture, and cute. I'll admit I reach into the treat jar occasionally when I am dying for something to eat, but don't have time to fix lunch. Here is my recipe. I hope you and your pooch enjoy them!

Cotehele's Doggie Cookies

Ingredients:

1-1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup flax meal
1 cup organic/natural peanut butter (I used creamy.)
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1 cup skim milk
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp ground cinnamon (I used a little cinnamon and sugar mix left over from making sweet rolls)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Mix flours, cinnamon and baking powder in a medium bowl.
3. In a separate bowl mix the peanut butter and milk until smooth. (I added a little milk and peanut butter at a time.)
4. Combine the dry and wet ingredients and mix well.
5. Knead the dough until it is well combined.
6. Roll to about 1/4 inch for large cookies and a little thinner for small cookies. 
7. Cut with any shape of cookie cutter
8. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Cookies are firm, but not crunchy.
9. If you prefer crunchy cookies, turn off oven and leave cookies in the oven until they are as crunchy as you like.

~~~~~May 23, 2011 ~~~~~


These doggie cookies can be made a even more people friendly with a few additions.  I have not measured the quantity, experiment a little!  Here some additions you may enjoy:


Shredded carrots - adds moisture and sweetness
Chopped dates
Dried cranberries
Nuts
Chocolate or peanut peanut butter chips 
Sugar and cinnamon to taste
Orange peel