14/12/2023
Yummy Home made treats,,,, make sure you bake for your kiddo's of the fur kind.
My favorite thing about making these treats is that they use clean, affordable ingredients that are actually healthy for dogs. Nothing fake, nothing processed; just all-organic goodness:
Sweet potatoes supply a healthy dose of dietary fiber with vitamins B6, C, beta carotene and manganese
Cold pressed coconut oil delivers heart healthy lauric acid and has antibacterial and antiviral properties
Organic coconut flour provides beneficial starches and promotes organism balance in the gut
Raw honey is rich with antioxidants, enzymes and flavonoids
Sea salt offers a collection of important trace minerals
I created this soft chew recipe for our dog some time ago when we were going to puppy training classes (I know-we still have a few things to work on as is clear by the above picture). Anyway, because she was eating a relatively large volume of treats at the time, we needed something soft that we could easily tear into tiny pieces as a reward. In all my searches, it was difficult to find a brand of treats that was healthy and fit our criteria, but wouldn't break the bank.
I also figured out early on that the whole training thing was going to be very difficult unless we had a particularly tasty treat that would motivate our distractible puppy. Dry and crumbly store-bought treats were just not enough to do the trick. Darci has a particular and exquisite taste...what can I say?
After a bit of experimenting, I have found that this is one of our dog's absolute favorite dog treat recipes. I hope your dogs enjoy them just as much!
Ingredients
1/2 cup sweet potato, mashed (approx. 1 small or 1/2 large)
2 eggs
3 tablespoons unsweetened apple sauce
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1 teaspoon raw honey (optional)
6 tablespoons coconut flour, sifted
pinch unrefined salt
Instructions:
1. Measure out a half cup of mashed sweet potato. If you are using fresh, this is usually about 1 small or 1/2 large potato. Canned is less nutrient dense, but also an option if you are in a hurry.
2. In a medium-sized bowl or food processor combine mashed sweet potato, eggs, apple sauce, melted oil and honey. Sift coconut flour and add to batter slowly, stirring until mostly smooth.
3.Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread mixture onto parchment paper in a layer approximately 1/4 inch thick and sprinkle the top with sea salt.
4. Place in oven at 350Β°F and bake for about 20 minutes. Remove pan and score treats into small βbite-sizedβ squares. Place back in oven and bake for another 15 minutes or until outer edges begin to brown. Allow to cool on the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a container.
5. Expect lots of cute begging faces from your dog (as evidenced below). Try not to forget that that treats are all about moderation however, no matter how healthy they may be. Give your dog one or two, and keep a jar in the refrigerator for long-term storage.
