Holiday baking isn’t just for humans. ‘Tis the season to spend some time in the kitchen whipping up delicious dog treats. The smells of these baked goods cooking will have Fido licking his chops in anticipation. They make great stocking stuffers, gifts for friends at the dog park, or additions to your pup’s “pawliday” feast. And best of all, they’re healthy and fun to make (with canine supervision, of course)!

1. Gingerbread Mailmen Dog Treats

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 cup molasses
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup very hot water

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a gingerbread man cakelet pan, 9x13-inch pan, or cupcake pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together applesauce, egg and molasses until smooth and creamy.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients together (flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt.)
4. Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir to combine. Slowly pour in the hot water and stir until smooth (batter will be thin).
5. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 15-20 minutes for cakelets or cupcakes, 25-30 minutes for a 9x13-inch pan, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
6. If you’re feeling creative, decorate the Gingerbread Mailmen with berries, apple slices, bananas, carrots or Greek yogurt immediately before serving.

2. “Howliday” Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour (whole wheat or unbleached)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon water
• cinnamon and sugar for dusting

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or grease with cooking spray.
2. Combine all of the ingredients until they form a soft dough. Add a bit more water if the dough is too dry.
3. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and use holiday or dog-themed cookie cutters to cut out cookies.
4. Place on the cookie sheet and bake for about 8-10 minutes or until the edges start to turn brown.
5. Remove from oven and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Allow the cookies to cool before serving.

3. I’ll Have a Blue(berry) Christmas Pup Pies

Pup Pie Crusts

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup flour (whole wheat or a mixture of all-purpose and whole wheat)
• 1/2 cup ground oatmeal
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3-4 tablespoons water

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray muffin pan with cooking spray.
2. Grind oatmeal into a fine powder using a food processor or blender.
3. Combine oatmeal and flour in a bowl. Slowly stir in the applesauce.
4. Slowly add water until a ball is formed.
5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut out circles around 4 inches in diameter.
6. Press into a mini muffin pan. Trim the edges with a knife. Use a toothpick to punch holes in the pie crust.
7. Bake for about 8-10 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven and let crusts cool before removing from the pan.

Blueberry Pup Pie Filling

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (do not use low-fat or sugar-free, which may contain Xylitol, a sugar substitute that’s toxic to dogs)

Instructions:

1. Puree blueberries and water in a blender or with an immersion blender.
2. Mix together Greek yogurt and blueberries.
3. Fill pie crusts with the blueberry and yogurt mixture and let chill in the refrigerator or serve immediately. If desired, top with whipped cream.