Homemade Carrot Cake Dog Treats
These easy Homemade Dog Treats are made with some of your favorite carrot cake ingredients, but healthy for your fur baby!
Servings: 40 (2-inch) treats
Ingredients
- 1 cup applesauce (plain, unsweetened, without any additives)
- 1/4 cup almond butter or peanut butter (raw and natural, unsalted and unsweetened, and free of any flavors and xylitol)
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups oat flour (plus 1/2 cup more if necessary and for dusting)
- 1 cup grated carrots (peeled first)
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes (unsweetened natural)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
- In a large bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the applesauce, almond butter, and eggs together until blended.
- Add in the oat flour, carrots, and coconut flakes until just incorporated. (If you pinch a piece and it crumbles, add a little water. If it’s really sticky, you’ll need to add a little more oat flour, 1/4 cup at a time and not exceeding 1/2 cup. You want the dough slightly tacky, but not overly.)
- Transfer the dough to a surface lightly sprinkled with oat flour and knead 3-4 times until it comes together.
- Using a rolling pin sprinkled with oat flour, roll out the dough to a 1/2-inch thickness.
- Using cookie cutters, cut out the desired shapes and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
- Place in the oven and bake until the treats are dry and edges are golden, about 18-20 minutes.
- Let cool completely.
Notes
- If you don't want to buy oat flour, you can easily make it! Using a food processor, grind up 5 cups of old fashioned oats until your reach a powder like consistency, much like regular flour.
- These particular treats were formed at 1/2-inch thickness and using a 2-inch cookie cutter. They are fully baked at 18 minutes, but I baked them for 20 minutes to get them a little crunchier. You can increase the crunch-factor even further after the 18 minute mark by turning off the oven, opening the door a crack, and leaving the treats inside while the oven cools down for about 30 minutes. Allowing them to cool on a wire rack makes them crispier, too. Also keep in mind that these treats will get crunchier after they’ve cooled completely.
- Baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the treats. Serving size will also vary depending on the desired shapes and cookie cutters used.
- For storage: After baking, make sure they have completely cooled - I mean COMPLETELY. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, the refrigerator for 4 weeks, and in the freezer for up to 4 months. (Always look at the treat before giving it to your dog; if it looks at all soggy, discolored, or moldy, don't feed it to him and throw the remainder out.)
- Nobody knows your dog like you do, and not all dogs digest human food the same. Use your best judgement and as with any treat, feed in moderation.
Nutrition
Calories: 73kcal · Carbohydrates: 9g · Protein: 3g · Fat: 3g · Saturated Fat: 1g · Cholesterol: 11mg · Sodium: 9mg · Potassium: 81mg · Fiber: 1g · Sugar: 1g · Vitamin A: 552IU · Vitamin C: 1mg · Calcium: 15mg · Iron: 1mg