Best Bites: Valentine's Dog Treats
By Donna Erickson
Bake Valentine's Dog Treats
Much to the disappointment of my snack-starved son, who had just bounded into the house after a 5-mile run, the note on the kitchen counter by the metal cooling rack read: "Dog biscuits! Sorry, not for you. -- Mom." The tempting treats may have looked and smelled like peanut-butter cookies, but they were hard as a rock and ready for our canine friends to enjoy.
PHOTO CREDIT: Donna Erickson
Bake a batch of these crunchy dog biscuits with your kids for Valentine's Day doggie gifts. This simple recipe goes together in minutes, and young kids will have an easy and satisfying time rolling out or patting down the pliable dough to create shapes with cute cookie cutters. You'll need:
2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup peanut butter at room temperature
1 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
All-purpose flour for rolling the dough
After you set the oven to 375 F, here's how to get the kids involved: Let one child measure and combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl.
Another child may measure and stir the peanut butter and milk together in a smaller mixing bowl. It will take 1-2 minutes until the mixture is smooth. Slowly pour it into the dry ingredients and stir until well-combined.
Sprinkle flour on the counter. Knead the dough a few times until it is easy to roll out into a 1/4-inch rectangle with a lightly floured rolling pin. Cut with cookie cutters in fun shapes such as a fire hydrant, a bone, a kitty, a heart, or X's and O's. Then transfer to greased (or parchment-paper-covered) cookie sheets.
Bake 20 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned. Let cool. Divide into gift bags, tie with red ribbon and a Valentine tag, and deliver to neighborhood dog friends on Valentine's Day.
Cook's Note: A 1-1/2-inch, heart-shaped cookie cutter makes six dozen Valentine biscuits.
"The Grandkids Are Coming!" Tip: If you have preschool grandkids, make the dough in advance of their arrival. When it's time to shape and bake, sprinkle flour on the counter, give each child a chunk of dough, and show them how to pat the portions flat with their clean hands. Cut out shapes with the cookie cutters and set them on the cookie sheets for you to bake.
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Donna Erickson creates relationships and community through food and fun. Find more to nourish and delight you at www.donnaerickson.com.
(c) 2026 Donna Erickson
Distributed by King Features Synd.