Pumpkin Peanut Butter Puppie Bones

cbgreek's Note:

I have always tried to steer my two "kids" Joey and Jillie into prefering homemade dog treats rather than the overly processed, fat and salt laden snacks sold at the grocery. Although they still enjoy a jerky treat from time to time, these treats drive them crazy and still grab for these when offered a less healthy alternative. The great part is that I know what is in the treats that I make for them and that they are fresher and healthier for them than anything readily available in the marketplace! The pumpkin is also great when their tummies are sensitive or they haven't been feeling well. Hope your dogs love them as mch as mine do!

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 48 -60+ do ...

• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree (NOT PUMPKIN PIE FILLING!)
• 2/3 cup natural chunky peanut butter
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons light olive oil or 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 2 tablespoons brewer's yeast (optional)
• 4 -6 cups whole wheat flour

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients well with the exception of the whole wheat flour.
2. This mixture holds a lot of moisture so the amounts of wheat flour needed varies. I start stirring in the flour until I get a workable dough that is no longer sticky- it can be up to 6 or 8 cups depending upon the brand of pumpkin used or if you choose to roast and puree your own pumpin. The important thing is that the dough be very stiff and that it needs to be kneaded to make sure the flour is well incorperated.
3. Roll the dough out onto a well floured surface until it is around a 1/4 to 1/3" thickness.
4. Using small cookie cutters, cut out the favorite shapes enjoyed by your four-legged kids. I use several sizes of bone shapes from 1&1/2" to 4" lengths and during the Christmas holiday I have a small 1" cutters that I use for doggie gifts.
5. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and place bones 1/2" apart. Bake at 400' for around 20-25 minutes- check them to make sure they are baking properly since smaller sized cutouts will bake faster and are prone to burning.
6. After I have baked off several cookie sheets of dog treats, I turn off the oven. After the oven has cooled down for 10 minutes I place all the bones on 2 cookie sheets and place them back into the oven for 3-4 more hours (they do not have to be in a single layer). This dehydrates any remaining moisture and will make the treats crunchier.
7. I place these treats in a ziplock baggie and simply keep them on the counter. They hold up exceptionally well for a couple of weeks but if your dog is not a major treat eater, they can be frozen in an airtight baggie for several months.