Okay, if you caught last week’s post, you already know about my homemade dog treats situation — or rather, my complete lack of one. The treat cabinet was empty, Benji gave me the look, and I raided my freezer for strawberries and carrots like a woman who absolutely had it together. (I did not have it together.) But here’s the good news: the cabinet is officially restocked, I did some baking, and Benji is living his best life again.
The Purchased Stash: My Go-To Store-Bought Picks
First things first — I grabbed a couple of tried-and-true favorites to get us back on solid ground while I geared up to bake. These are the two I always come back to:
Bocce’s Bakery PB & Banana Recipe — Benji goes absolutely wild for these. Peanut butter and banana is basically the dog treat equivalent of chocolate chip cookies, and these are soft enough that I don’t feel bad giving him extras. (I do give him extras.)
Portland Pet Food Pumpkin Treats — Simple, clean ingredients, and the pumpkin is great for digestion. I love that I can actually read everything on the label without Googling half of it.
→ Bocce’s Bakery Peanut Butter & Banana Treats — soft, simple ingredients, Benji-approved
→ Portland Pet Food Pumpkin Dog Treats — clean label, great for digestion
The Homemade Stash: My Favorite Baking Book
When I do bake for Benji, I always reach for The Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook by the Bubba Rose Biscuit Company. It’s my absolute go-to. The recipes are approachable, the ingredients are real, and every single thing I’ve made from it has been a hit. Honestly, it’s the kind of cookbook that makes you feel like a good dog mom just by owning it.
→ The Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook — Bubba Rose Biscuit Company — Joan’s go-to for homemade dog treats
The Recipe I Keep Coming Back To: Autumn Apple Crisps
My favorite recipe in Bubba’s book is the Autumn Apple Crisps, and honestly, the smell alone is worth making them. Cinnamon baking in the oven? That’s a whole vibe. Apples are a fantastic source of vitamins A and C, they’re available year-round, and Benji acts like I’ve handed him the greatest gift in the world every single time.
Here’s how I make them:
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups oat flour
- 1½ cups brown rice flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup rolled oats (old-fashioned, not instant)
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ cup water
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Combine all ingredients except the water in a large bowl. Add the water slowly, mixing as you go, until a dough forms. You may not need all of it — stop when the dough comes together. Too dry? Add a splash more water. Too wet? A little more flour. You’ve got this.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll to about ¼ inch thick.
- Cut into shapes with a cookie cutter or a knife. I personally use my pizza cutter — it’s fast, it’s easy, and on a busy day that little shortcut is everything.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place your cookies close together — they don’t rise, so you can pack them in.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely before giving one to your pup.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
There is something about a batch of dog treats baking in the oven that just fills the whole house with warmth. The cinnamon smell drifts through every room and I stand there thinking about how much this little dog has changed my life. It’s my way of saying: you are the best part of my day, every single day. And yes, he absolutely knows it.
If your pup has a grain sensitivity or you’re working around any dietary needs, always check with your vet before introducing new recipes. Every dog is a little different — but these have been a staple in our house for a while now and Benji gives them two paws up. Every time.
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