Gift Recipe: Homemade Dog Treats — Recipes from The Kitchn |Cooking With Amanda

While we're coming up with special treats for one another during the holidays, let's not forget our four-legged companions. The canines in our lives aren't necessarily looking for the sweets that we indulge in this time of year, but their tastebuds will thank you for this little bit of bacon-y goodness. Whether the lucky pup belongs to you or a friend, these treats will make them your loyal lover for life.

This recipe is also very simple, with base of wheat germ, egg, and bacon fat. I had some bacon fat already on hand, and you might too. This is a great way to use it up, and it makes this quick and easy recipe just that much easier. This is a simple base, which stands alone or to which you can add your own flourishes based on your friend's tastes.

Some ideas for easy add-ins: parsley (a natural breath freshener for us and for our dogs), natural peanut butter for a boost of protein, pureed spinach for a healthy kick, or even leftover pumpkin puree. Avoid chocolate and raisins, which — while used heavily in our own holiday treats — aren't good for the pup.

I simply cut these into approximately 1x4-inch bars, but you can also use bone- or heart-shaped cookie cutters to shape this rolled dough.

Homemade Doggie Treats

Makes 2 dozen treats

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup melted bacon fat
1 large egg
1/2 cup cold water

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix by hand until dough forms. Add more flour if the dough is too sticky. Add more bacon fat or water if the dough is too stiff.

Roll out onto a floured surface, to a thickness of just under 1/2-inch. Cut into 1x4-inch bars and transfer to a cookie sheet. Poke divots into the bars (I use the end of a chopstick) and bake in a preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Turn the oven off, flip the bars, and place back in the oven until cool (this will further crisp them).

Treats can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.