Exercise caution when using the word “cookie” in our household. Akin to a spiritual calling, it’s a word that must be used with purpose and meaning. The proverbial gospel “who wants a cookie?” will snap a sleeping hound back into the conscious world; the deep sniffing of a flavor discovered in the grass, abandoned.
Long Nail – ‘Pepper’ Skin (government issued name: Sadie), a fifteen year old Rhodesian Ridgeback – Whippet mix has an air of dignity (read: snob hound) and a taste for the gourmet (her favorites are asparagus spears and sliced fennel bulb). She likes her nails long, preferably painted hot pink and requires to be tucked in at night with her head on a pillow. Her fears include the vacuum, cotton balls, and anything resembling a nail-clipper. Pepper wears her emotions on her snout and is easily disgusted, typically by her frenemy, Remeford.
Remeford ‘Remy’ T. (the) Dog is an eleven year old Black Labrador – French Bulldog combo with a palette for anything that will fit into his mouth (notables are a pack of birthday candles and Hello Kitty!). Remy’s favorite pastimes including sleeping in the sun, chewing his bones/antlers, hiding Pepper’s toys, and swimming. An avid snuggler, Remy will be your best napping buddy. Left half a sandwich on a nightstand for later? There won’t be a later; Remy will clean that up for you while you slumber. He can’t be described as the brightest student in the class, but he is friendly to all and blissfully happy.
With such opposite personalities, one has to be creative to appease both hounds. This dog cookie, adapted from bread baker ‘Klecko”, is made with peanut butter and dog-friendly jam (no added sugar), which lends to Remy’s laid-back attitude. Paired with a sexy ingredient like orange blossom water, believed to have natural anti-stress and calming qualities, Pepper approves. These ingredients, combined with whole-wheat flour and cracked wheat (may aid in dental plaque removal), make for a wholesome treat you can feel good about giving to your pets.
Spoiled Rotten Hound: Peanut Butter & Jam Dog Cookies
I am not a veterinary professional, nor are the recommendations from my veterinarian necessarily the same as another. It is recommended you consult your veterinarian before feeding your dog any type of homemade treat.
The recipe.
Makes approximately 60 cookies sized 1 inch x 1 inch for small-sized dogs; 30 cookies sized 2 inches x 1 inch for medium-sized dogs; 20 cookies sized 3 inches x 1 inch for large-sized dogs.
I used strawberry jam because the berries were in season when I made this recipe. I have included the recipe for homemade jam. The leftover is delicious as a spread on bread and sandwiches, on desserts, and licked off fingers.
Peanut Butter & Jam | Dog Cookies
200 g all-purpose flour
200 g whole-wheat flour
180 g cracked wheat (bulgur wheat), size 'medium' #2
275 g water
110 g olive oil
40 g peanut butter
2 tablespoons orange blossom (flower) water
1 tablespoon jam, homemade (without added sugar) or store bought, no-sugar added
Fresh Strawberry | Jam (no sugar added)
375 g fresh strawberries, chopped
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons arrowroot powder
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 F (177 C).
Line a cookie tray with parchment paper or a silpat/non-stick baking mat.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Dog Cookies | Preparation
Sift the flours and cracked wheat in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk on low speed for 1 minute to combine.
Switch to the dough hook attachment. On medium speed, slowly add the oil and then the water.
Just before the dough becomes pliable, add the peanut butter followed by the jam and the orange blossom water. Mix for an additional minute to allow all ingredients to fully incorporate into the dough.
Fresh Strawberry Jam (no sugar added) | Preparation
Add the strawberries, water, lemon juice, and arrowroot power into a medium sized saucepan. Stir to combine. Heat on medium heat for approximately 5 minutes to soften the strawberries.
Using a blender, food processor, or immersion blender, puree the strawberry mixture.
Pour the puree back into the medium sized saucepan. On medium heat slowly bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently.
Once the puree is brought to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook uncovered for 45-50 minutes. Stir the jam frequently, especially as it becomes thicker (to prevent burning). The jam is done when you can run the back of a spoon into the jam to create a hole that subsequently fills in within a few seconds.
Remove the jam from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature (the jam will thicken as it cools).
Note: If the jam is too thick, add water 1/2 teaspoon at a time, stirring to combine after each addition, until you reach the consistency you prefer.
Baking | Final Assembly
On a silpat or non-stick baking mat, roll out the dough into sausage-sized lengths of approximately 6 inches each. The diameter of the sausage should be adjusted based on the size of the dog cookies you will be making
With the roll lying lengthwise on the mat, use a pizza cutter or a knife to make slices 1 inch apart from each other.
Using your fingers, shape the edges.
Place the cookies on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper spaced 1 inch apart.
Bake at 350 F (177C) for 35 to 40 minutes for small cookies, 40 to 45 minutes for medium cookies, or 50 to 60 minutes for large cookies or until firm to the touch and lightly golden brown.
Remove from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack to cool to room temperature. The cookies will harden as they cool to room temperature.
Serving | Storage
Serve the cookies to your pet only after they have cooled to room temperature.
The cookies can be stored in an air-tight container for up to 21 days when stored in the refrigerator.
The jam can be stored in an air-tight container for up to 14 days when stored in the refrigerator.
Dog cookie recipe by The Confection Witch; adapted from Danny ‘Klecko’ McGleno | Jam recipe by The Confection Witch | Photography by The Confection Witch & Icing Troll