Foodie Friday Gone to the Dogs! - Cleo's Pumpkin Dog Biscuits.

Fall is in the air!!  

Well, only if you are awake at 2 a.m. to enjoy the 60-degree temps!

It is still hot and feels like summer, but I am really ready for fall so I thought it was time for something pumpkiny!  Besides, maybe if I bake something that reminds us of fall Mother Nature will get the hint and bring it on.  So if fall arrives shortly, you can thank me!

We got this recipe from our friends at Ames Pet Hospital.  I have made peanut butter treats for the dogs before, so thought it would be fun to try something new, and what is better than a vet-approved snack?  I love making healthy treats for Willow and Belle and they love the results.

Here is what you will need:

Cleo's Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

2 eggs

1/2 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

2 T. dry milk

1/4 tsp. sea salt

2-1/2 cups brown rice flour

1/4 tsp. parsley (optional)

Whisk eggs and pumpkin until smooth.  Add dry milk and sea salt.  Stir to mix ingredients.  Gradually add the 2-1/2 cups brown rice flour.   

The directions read to turn dough out onto a floured surface (I used more of the brown rice flour) and to knead a bit to finish blending the ingredients if needed.  I found this to be necessary as the dough is a dry dough and using my hands to finish the mixing process just worked much easier than a spatula/mixing spoon.  I didn't use the mixer for this - there is really no need to.  



The dough should be stiff and dry.  Roll dough to the desired thickness of treats your dogs enjoy.  I rolled mine to about  1/4 inch thick.  

Since the dough is dry expect "cracks" as you roll it out.  Use a cookie or biscuit cutter  - whatever shape you desire.  I used about a 2-inch cookie cutter.

Cut and place on cookie sheet.  No parchment paper or spray is needed to prepare the pan.   If you want you can carefully prick each one with a fork before baking, going just halfway through the dough.  

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and carefully turn them over.  I just used my fingers - it was easiest and they were not too hot to handle.  Return to oven and bake another 20 minutes.  

Remove from oven and let cool completely before serving.  I got about 2 dozen treats out of this batch.  I brushed off the excess brown rice flour when I took them off the cookie sheet.  The brown rice flower has the consistency of cornmeal, so it is very easy to remove any extra.  


And here's the end result!

I stored them in baggies to keep them fresh.  In addition to being healthy treats,  I love that these are a crisp, crunchy, dog treat and will help to keep their teeth clean.  Also,  clean up of the cookie sheet was a breeze.  I brushed the crumbs off into the garbage and simply used a damp paper towel to wipe the cookie sheet off. There was no dough residue on the sheet at all after I removed the treats, just the flour crumbs.  

But,  the best part of all....Belle and Willow LOVED them!

Here they are sitting and waiting for a pumpkin biscuit. 

You can't get a better rave review than that. 

Hug your dog

Bake them a treat

and have a Happy Friday!