Nutritionally complete for both dogs and cats, these festive Christmas dog-erations are tied with ribbon and hung on the tree for the 12 days of Christmas, if they last that long. Whip up a batch for your best friend and gifts for all the special dogs on your Christmas list.
Step 1
Mix all the ingredients together. Knead into a firm dough. Roll the dough out on a cookie sheet about 1/2-inch thick. Cut into Christmas tree shapes. Poke a hole at the top of each tree for the ribbon.
Step 2
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 45 minutes until lightly toasted. Cool in the oven for an hour or leave overnight to harden.
Step 3
Mix the cream cheese with the honey and add the coloring. Whip into a fluffy consistency. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a fine nozzle. Trace the tree's outline with the frosting and add a few polka dots. Refrigerate for two to three hours to set the frosting.
Step 4
Cut the ribbon into strips of about 6 inches, long enough to tie a bow. Decorate your Christmas tree with a few and store the rest in the refrigerator.
References
- Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats; Dr. Richard H. Pitcairn, D.V.M., Ph.D. and Susan Hubble Pitcairn
- Pupcakes; Stephanie Mehanna
Resources
- The Three Dog Bakery Cookbook; Dan Dye and Mark Beckloff
- The Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook; Jessica Disbrow Talley and Eric Talley
Tips
- For gifting, use a large Christmas tree cookie cutter and package each treat individually in cello wrap embellished with a bow and tag.
- Create other Christmas-themed treats with cookie cutters shaped like bells, teddy bears and Santa Claus.
- To store, refrigerate in airtight containers. The treats not consumed in three days may be stored in the freezer.
Warnings
- Moderation is the key in feeding treats, especially if your best friends are overweight.
- Discard the treats hung on the tree when the holiday is over.
Writer Bio
Based in Ontario, Susan Dorling has written professionally since 2000, with hundreds of articles published in a variety of popular online venues. Writing on a diverse range of topics, she reflects her passion for business, interior design, home decorating, style, fashion and pets.