Hey Loves! It’s me, Heather and today I’m chatting like we’re sharing coffee (or maybe hot cocoa because it’s the holiday season), and I’m going to walk you through a holiday cookie that’s safe for your pup and full of festive cheer. Because yes — your dog can join in on the Christmas cookie fun (no chocolate, no xylitol, no weird stuff). 🙂
If you’ve ever looked at human Christmas cookies and wondered, “Hmm, could Fido eat this?” — well, I’m here to say you can bake something that not only looks festive but is also genuinely safe for your dog to enjoy (in moderation, of course!). I tried a few versions, swapped one ingredient last minute (which ended up being the wrong move — more on that later), and landed on a recipe that’s straightforward, fun, and you’re going to love how easy it is.
Why this is a holiday win
- You’ll feel like you’re baking cookies with your dog sitting right next to you (because you are).
- The icing is dog-safe — yes, we get to decorate. No shame.
- It’s quick enough that you don’t end up in the kitchen for hours while everyone else is watching holiday movies.
- It’s holiday photo-worthy: you’ll want to post that picture of your pup with the cookies (I did).
So pull up a chair. Let’s bake cookies for our four-legged family member.
1. Dog Friendly Christmas Cookies
Hook
These cookies are chewy, mildly sweet (in dog terms), and shaped like little holiday bones — cute enough for a holiday treat table, and simple enough to whip up before the big day.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour (or oat flour if your pup is sensitive)
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter (make sure there’s no xylitol in the label!)
- 1 egg (or if you prefer, a flax “egg” for variation)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (optional — dogs typically tolerate small amounts)
- 2–3 tbsp water (to bring dough together)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- In a bowl, mix applesauce, peanut butter, and the egg until smooth.
- Add flour and cinnamon. Stir until it starts to become dough-like.
- Add water a tablespoon at a time until you can roll it out (you want a dough that’s not too sticky).
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use bone-shaped cookie cutters (or any fun holiday shape) and place shapes on your baking sheet.
- Bake for about 12–15 minutes, or until the edges just start to brown. Don’t overbake — you want some chew.
- Remove and cool completely (very important before icing).
Why you’ll love it
My dog absolutely loved the peanut butter + applesauce combo (big surprise, I know). And honestly? The cinnamon gives it a little holiday aroma without going crazy. Bonus: the whole process took me less time than I spent deciding what movie to watch afterward. (True story.)
2. Dog-Safe Icing for the Cookies
Hook
Here’s where we get festive: we decorate! But we’re skipping the sugar overload and the chocolate disaster waiting to happen. The icing is simple, safe, and you’ll feel like a pro.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cornstarch (or arrowroot/tapioca starch if you prefer) THE SUGAR FREE DIVA+2everythingahnika.com+2
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (unsweetened, no xylitol) sparklesandsunshineblog.com+1
- 2 tsp honey (optional—if your dog is okay with a bit of natural sweetness) THE SUGAR FREE DIVA+1
- Food-safe coloring (optional; natural sources like beet juice for red or spirulina for green)
- 1–2 tbsp water (to adjust consistency)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and yogurt. Stir.
- If you want to color it: divide into smaller bowls, add a drop of beet juice or spirulina water until you like the shade.
- Gradually add water, a teaspoon at a time, until the icing spreads nicely but holds shape.
- Once cookies are cooled, spread or pipe the icing onto them. Let set for at least 30 minutes.
- Store cookies in an airtight container in the fridge if icing is used (for freshness).
Why you’ll love it
No crazy ingredients. No toddler-style sugar bombing your dog’s system. I found that when I skipped the colored icing (just left it plain), the dog didn’t care about the appearance — but I did. So I recommend coloring one batch just to get the festive photos. You’ll thank me when you’re snapping pics mid-morning and posting on Insta.
3. Variation: Grain-Free Holiday Dog Cookies
Hook
For pups who can’t handle wheat (or you just prefer to avoid it), here’s a tweak you’ll appreciate.
Ingredients
- 2 cups oat flour (or almond flour if dog tolerance is good—just check with vet)
- ½ cup unsweetened pumpkin purée
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter (no xylitol!)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp turmeric (optional for color + festive flair)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheet.
- Mix pumpkin purée, peanut butter, and egg.
- Stir in oat flour and turmeric until dough forms. If too dry, add a little water; too sticky, add a scant tablespoon of flour.
- Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to ~¼-inch, cut shapes, bake for 12–14 minutes.
- Cool completely before icing (use the same icing recipe above).
Why you’ll love it
I tried this when a friend asked for a wheat-free version (thanks again, Jenny). The pumpkin gives it a lovely warm colour and the dusting of turmeric made them look sophisticated (you know, for dog standards). And honestly? My pup didn’t care about the flour swap — he just cared I gave him cookies. So it’s a win.
4. Decorating & Serving Tips
- If you use sprinkles, make sure they’re dog-safe and xylitol-free (because yes, people sprinkle human sprinkles and that’s a worry).
- After icing sets, transfer cookies to a plate and maybe add a few dog-safe “ornaments” around (like small carrot sticks or apple slices) for the photo moment.
- Serve to your dog as a special treat — remember: treats = moderation. These are fun, but they shouldn’t replace regular food. 😉
- If you’re making a batch for sharing with other dog-friends, store some in the fridge and some in the freezer (thawed slightly) for later.
- Take photos of the whole process. Instagram loves behind-the-scenes “dog cookies in progress” shots. And you’ll have festive content ready.
5. My Personal Anecdote
So full transparency: I once swapped the whole wheat flour in my first attempt with all‐purpose flour because I was out of time. My pup loved the cookies (of course), but the texture was crunchy like a biscuit and less chewy than I wanted. I thought, “Wow, easy fix next time.” And that next time I stuck to the whole wheat and the texture improved big-time (we’re talking tail wag, drool dropped on camera). Moral: flour selection matters (for dog comfort and your photo game).
Also — remember that icing I said photo-worthy? I tried a tinted green version (with spirulina) and my dog refused it. Changed to plain white and peanut butter-flavored aftertaste, and he devoured two in a row. So fancy colours are fun, but flavor matters even more.
6. Safety Notes (Because yes, we must)
- Do not use chocolate, raisins, xylitol, regular icing sugar, macadamia nuts — these are unsafe for dogs. Sit Means Sit Dog Training+2en.wikipedia.org+2
- Check your peanut butter label: many brands contain xylitol or added sweeteners.
- If your dog has dietary restrictions (food allergies, sensitive stomach, etc.), check with your vet before introducing new treats.
- These cookies are still a treat. Don’t replace your pup’s balanced diet with homemade cookies.
- Introduce one cookie first and observe how your dog reacts (digestive comfort, no upset tummy).
Conclusion
So there you have it — a fun, friendly, and fairly fuss-free way to treat your dog this holiday season. You’ll get to bake, decorate, snap some adorable pics, and most importantly: share a special moment with your furry companion. The best part? You’ll know exactly what went into the cookies and icing — and that feels pretty good.
Whether you go for the classic whole wheat version, the grain-free tweak, or decorate like November just turned into December overnight — your dog will be thrilled. I know mine is already giving me the “hey, are they done yet?” look as I type this. 😄
Go on — roll out the dough, blast some holiday tunes, let your pup supervise, and bake those cookies. Because they deserve a treat that’s special and safe.
If you try this recipe, tag me (you know I’ll wanna see) and show off your pup’s cookie haul. Happy baking and happy tail wags! 🎄🐾
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