Easy homemade pumpkin dog treats are a great alternative to store bought treats. When you start your holiday baking this year, don’t forget the four legged family members.
**This post was updated in 2019
Making dog treats at home is actually really easy, and a great way to use up baking odds and ends.
Over the weekend I was recipe testing and wound up with a bit of leftover canned pumpkin. Since the dogs had been pretty good, and hadn’t been driving me TOO crazy while The Hubs is out of town, I decided to do something nice for them and make them a batch of treats.
Pumpkin and Molasses Homemade Dog Treats
Pumpkin and Molasses Homemade Dog TreatsAll these are really made out of are canned pumpkin, molasses, and whole wheat flour. However, they totally look like “people cookies” so be sure to warn your friends when they come over because I’m sure if anyone ate one they would think you are a terrible baker.
If you don’t have whole wheat flour, you can substitute oat flour or rice flour.
UPDATE: While I originally made these for Olive as a puppy and old lady Tally, now that I have a chunky little weenie dog, I needed to adjust the portion size.
Both Olive and Summer have been on weight watch for the past year or so. For my latest batch I formed the cookies into circles and used a linzer cookie cutter to cut out heart shaped centers. Summer gets a tiny treat, and Olive gets half a treat.
The perfect treat portion for both a big dog and a little dog.
If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to see it! Tag me @betsylife on Facebook or Instagram and I’ll share your creations!
Pumpkin and Molasses Homemade Dog Treats
Easy homemade pumpkin dog treats are a great alternative to store bought treats. When you start your holiday baking this year, don't forget the four legged family members.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup organic canned pumpkin
- 4 tablespoons molasses
- 4 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
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In a large bowl mix the pumpkin, molasses, vegetable oil, and water.
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In a separate, medium bowl combine whole wheat flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Slowly stir dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until the dough softens.
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Scoop out small spoonfuls of dough {about 1 inch wide} and roll them into balls with your hands.
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Set the balls onto a lightly greased cookie sheet and flatten them with a fork.
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Bake for 20 minutes
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Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months
More great dog friendly posts
- Why Dogs Make Great Running Partners
- Pumpkin Drop Dog Treats
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Stephanie, The Recipe Renovator says
Oh, now that I have met him, I love seeing this video even more! Daisy says thanks for the swimming party!
Archana | my SoCal'd life says
I had no idea dog treats were so easy to make. These look divine!
betsy says
The hard part is getting them to hold still for the photos!
Teresa says
Too cute!!! I made dog bones once…they were well-received! I think they realize that it is special that they get something you pull out of the oven. Watson knows that when the timer goes off, I probably need to check what is in the oven, so, he is like an extra alert signal.
Mary Jo says
I made these last night my husband and the dog love them. Hubby can home after I went to bed. He was so happy I baked again he eat 6. Next morning I asked where all the dog treats went. He said I thought they were cookie, I eat them he couldn’t figure out why the dog was growling at him. Thanks
betsy says
Ha! They totally look like people cookies 😉 Glad the dog AND The Hubs liked them!
Andrea says
Hi!
I wanted to take a moment and introduce Big Bark (www.bigbarkonline.com). We are an online community of big dog (40 pounds and over!) lovers and parents. We are in the process of updating our website and creating new EBooks for our members and followers.
The first EBook we are putting together is all about homemade dog treats and we LOVE your recipe! (we already pinned it on our most popular Pinterest board!)
We would like to use your recipe and photos – with a link back to your blog of course! It’s free and a great way to get your blog shared. If you have interest in being included in our upcoming EBook please email me at info@bigbarkonline.com. Thanks! Andrea, Owner & Founder, Big Bark
Grace says
Can I substitute honey for molasses?
betsy says
I think that would probably work! Honey is good for dogs too
Darlene says
Can these be rolled and cut?
betsy says
I’ve never tried it. They might be too sticky and I would hesitate to add a lot of flour. If you try it, please let me know how it turns out!
Mab says
These were super easy and fast to whip up. I rolled the dough out, used cookie cutters, and baked for 12 minutes. My picky dog just gobbled one up. Thanks for the recipe!
Kristi Wheeler says
We tried these last week and they turned out really good! The dog loved them! Thanks for the recipe!
Tamara A Keetch-Morin says
How much pumpkin?? Not sure what size can youre using, in cups?
betsy says
The recipe states 1/2 cup