Martha Stewart’s Holiday Dog Cookie Recipe

The holiday season brings warmth, joy, and the irresistible aroma of fresh-baked cookies wafting through our homes. While many of us indulge in spiced gingerbread, frosting-laden sugar cookies, and other festive treats, our four-legged family members shouldn’t miss out on the celebration. Martha Stewart, the queen of baking and culinary excellence, has created an exclusive holiday dog cookie recipe designed specifically for her beloved pets: French Bulldogs Creme Brulee and Bete Noire, and Chow Chows Emperor Han and Empress Qin. This vet-approved recipe allows you to create delicious, dog-safe treats that will have your pets excited about the holidays too.

According to Martha Stewart, “My pets get into the holiday spirit just like I do. They sense the excitement and definitely take note of all the great smells coming out of the kitchen.” This sentiment perfectly captures why baking special treats for your dog during the holidays creates memorable bonding experiences and allows your pets to participate in the festive celebrations. The best part? You’ll know exactly what ingredients are going into these treats, eliminating concerns about artificial preservatives, additives, or potentially harmful ingredients.

Why Homemade Dog Treats Matter

Baking treats at home for your dog offers numerous advantages over store-bought alternatives. Homemade treats allow you to control every single ingredient, ensuring your dog receives only wholesome, high-quality components. This is particularly important if your dog has allergies, sensitivities, or specific dietary requirements. Additionally, homemade treats often contain fewer preservatives and artificial additives than commercial options, making them a healthier choice for your beloved companion.

Martha Stewart has been an advocate for preparing home-cooked food for her dogs, emphasizing the importance of using wholesome, organic, and reputable sources for ingredients. When you prepare treats yourself, you gain peace of mind knowing exactly what your dog is consuming and can adjust recipes based on your individual pet’s needs and preferences.

Recipe Overview and Yield Information

This exclusive Martha Stewart holiday dog cookie recipe yields approximately 24 treats, making it perfect for sharing with multiple dogs or storing several batches throughout the holiday season. Each serving size ranges from 1/2 to 1 treat, depending on your dog’s size. The recipe requires about 30 minutes of preparation time, with a total time commitment of 2 hours, including the drying and cooling process.

Complete Ingredient List

For the Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup brewer’s yeast
• 1/2 cup of your dog’s kibble, finely crushed to the size of breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock without onions or garlic, plus additional for brushing

For the Frosting and Toppings:

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
• Your dog’s kibble for decoration

Essential Supplies and Equipment

To successfully create these festive dog cookies, gather the following supplies before beginning:

• Holiday cookie cutters in various shapes
• Mixing bowls of various sizes
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Parchment paper
• Baking sheets
• Pastry brush
• Rolling pin
• Piping bag with decorating tips

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Cookie Dough

Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, ground kibble, and salt until thoroughly combined. The ground kibble should be finely crushed to the consistency of breadcrumbs to ensure proper texture distribution throughout the dough.

In a large bowl, place the canola oil. Add the flour mixture and low-sodium chicken stock in three alternating batches, beginning and ending with the stock. Mix well after each addition to ensure even distribution of wet and dry ingredients. This alternating method helps achieve a consistent, well-mixed dough.

Rolling and Shaping

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to approximately 3/8-inch thickness. Using your holiday-shaped cookie cutters, cut out cookies in festive shapes such as Christmas trees, gingerbread men, snowflakes, or bones. It’s crucial to size your cookies appropriately for your dog’s size to prevent choking hazards and ensure safe consumption.

Cookie size recommendations are as follows: for small breed dogs, cut cookies 1 to 1 1/2 inches in size; for medium breed dogs, 2 to 2 1/2 inches; and for large breed dogs, 3 to 3 1/2 inches. Transfer the shaped dough pieces to parchment-lined baking sheets, repeating the process with remaining dough until all dough is shaped.

Baking Process

Bake the cookies for 10 minutes. Remove them from the oven and brush the surface with additional low-sodium chicken stock using a pastry brush. Rotate the baking sheets and return them to the oven for another 10 minutes of baking.

After the second 10-minute baking period, turn off the oven and leave the cookies inside with the door closed. Allow them to stand and dry completely, which typically takes about 1 1/2 hours. This drying process creates a harder, longer-lasting treat that’s safer for your dog’s teeth and provides extended chewing enjoyment.

Making the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cookies are drying in the oven, prepare the frosting. In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cornstarch, and water. Mix until smooth, adding additional water as needed to reach your desired consistency. The frosting should be thick enough to pipe onto cookies but spreadable enough to work easily with your piping bag.

Decorating and Final Assembly

Once the cookies have cooled completely on a wire rack, transfer them to your work surface for decoration. Using your piping bag, apply the cream cheese frosting to the tops of the cookies in festive patterns. Break your dog’s kibble into smaller pieces and use them as toppings, pressing gently into the frosting before it sets. The kibble not only adds visual appeal but also provides additional nutritional value and familiar flavors your dog loves.

Alternative Frosting Option: Peanut Butter Ferting

If you don’t have cream cheese on hand or prefer an alternative frosting, Martha Stewart’s recipe includes a peanut butter frosting option. Simply mix 3 tablespoons of plain, nonfat Greek yogurt with 1 1/2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter without xylitol. This combination creates a delicious, protein-rich frosting that most dogs find irresistible. However, it’s absolutely critical to use peanut butter without xylitol, as xylitol is toxic to dogs and can cause serious health issues.

Nutritional Information and Treat Portions

Calorie Content

Each cookie in a batch of 24 contains approximately 45 calories without frosting and approximately 55 calories with frosting, depending on how much frosting is applied. Understanding the calorie content of these treats is essential for maintaining your dog’s healthy weight and overall nutritional balance.

Appropriate Treat Portions

When incorporating treats into your dog’s diet, remember that treats should comprise no more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily caloric intake. For example, if your dog requires 600 calories per day, they should consume no more than 60 calories from treats combined. Feeding excessive treats can lead to nutritional deficiencies, weight gain, and digestive issues. Martha Stewart’s cookies allow you to provide festive celebration treats while maintaining appropriate portion control and nutritional balance.

Important Safety and Veterinary Considerations

This recipe has been reviewed and approved by a veterinarian and is intended as a treat or snack, not a meal replacement. Before incorporating any new foods into your dog’s diet, consult with your veterinarian, especially if your dog has existing health conditions, allergies, or dietary restrictions. Your veterinarian can provide personalized guidance based on your individual dog’s age, size, health status, and nutritional needs.

Some key ingredients to be aware of include wheat germ, which provides nutritional benefits but should be introduced gradually to prevent digestive upset. Brewer’s yeast adds nutritional value and is generally safe for dogs, but discuss with your vet if your dog has any yeast-related sensitivities. The low-sodium chicken stock should never contain onions or garlic, as both are toxic to dogs. Always verify ingredient labels before purchasing stock or other prepared ingredients.

Customizing the Recipe for Your Dog

While Martha Stewart’s recipe is excellent as written, you can customize it based on your dog’s preferences and dietary needs. Substitute your dog’s preferred kibble brand for the crushed kibble called for in the recipe. If your dog enjoys specific flavors, you can experiment with low-sodium beef or vegetable broth instead of chicken stock. Always introduce ingredient changes gradually and in small amounts to ensure your dog tolerates the modifications well.

Consider your dog’s size when deciding on cookie shapes and sizes. Smaller dogs may choke on large pieces, while larger dogs might find tiny cookies unsatisfying. Martha Stewart uses holiday-themed cutters to add festive flair, but bone-shaped, heart-shaped, or simple round cookies work equally well.

Storage and Shelf Life

Properly stored Martha Stewart holiday dog cookies can last for several weeks. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks, or refrigerate them for up to three weeks. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in freezer-safe containers for up to three months. Frozen cookies can be thawed at room temperature or given to your dog directly from the freezer for an extra-cold treat on warm days.

Additional Martha Stewart Pet Treats

Martha Stewart has developed several other dog-friendly recipes beyond this holiday cookie recipe. Her pupcakes, flavored with natural ingredients like peanut butter, bananas, and yogurt-based frosting, provide another festive treat option. Additionally, Martha Stewart has shared her approach to preparing complete home-cooked meals for her dogs, using wholesome ingredients like chicken, quinoa, and organic vegetables. These recipes align with her philosophy of knowing exactly what her pets consume and ensuring access to the highest quality, most nutritious ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use a different flour in this recipe?

A: While whole wheat flour or oat flour can be substituted for all-purpose flour, consult your veterinarian first, especially if your dog has grain sensitivities. These alternatives may affect texture and baking time slightly.

Q: Is brewer’s yeast safe for all dogs?

A: Brewer’s yeast is generally safe for most dogs and provides B vitamins and nutritional benefits. However, if your dog has yeast-related health issues or sensitivities, consult your veterinarian before using it.

Q: Can I make these cookies without wheat germ?

A: Yes, you can omit wheat germ or replace it with ground flaxseed or fish oil powder for nutritional benefits, though this may slightly alter the texture and nutritional profile of the cookies.

Q: How should I introduce these treats to my dog?

A: Introduce new treats gradually by offering small pieces initially. Monitor your dog for any digestive upset or allergic reactions before giving larger portions.

Q: Can dogs with kidney disease or heart conditions eat these cookies?

A: The recipe contains salt, which may not be appropriate for dogs with certain health conditions. Consult your veterinarian before feeding these treats to dogs with kidney disease, heart disease, or hypertension.

Q: Can I use regular peanut butter for the frosting alternative?

A: Only use natural peanut butter specifically labeled as xylitol-free. Many commercial peanut butters contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Always check labels carefully.

Q: How long do these cookies stay fresh?

A: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks, in the refrigerator for three weeks, or freeze for up to three months.

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Author

medha deb

 

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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