May 24 2009
Basic Bones recipe
Basic Bones recipe
Makes 25 to 30 3-inch-long dog bone–shaped cookies 1/4-inch thick
or 20 to 25 3-inch-long dog bone–shaped cookies 3/8-inch thick
This is a basic dog bones recipe that you can make just as is, or you can vary the ingredients
to make slightly different treats.
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup low-sodium beef or chicken bouillon powder
2 large eggs
1 cup warm water
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Slowly add the warm water and eggs
and mix well. The dough will be stiff.
3. Use your hands to knead the dough until it is smooth and easy to handle, and then
form it into a ball.
4. Place the ball on a floured breadboard. Roll the dough out to 1/4 to 3/8 inch thick;
slightly thicker is fine.
5. Use a 3-inch dog bone–shaped cookie cutter to cut out the dough.
6. Place the bones on greased cookie sheets.
7. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.8. Take the cookie sheets out of the oven and, using a spatula, flip the bones over.
Return to the oven for about 5 minutes or until the bones are golden brown on
both sides.
9. Remove from the oven, let cool thoroughly, and store in an airtight container.
Crunchier Treats: For crisper treats, when all the cookies have been baked, turn off the
oven. Put all the cookies back on a cookie sheet and return them to the oven. Leave
them in the cooling oven for several hours or overnight to harden.
Garlic Bones: The smell and taste of garlic are very appealing to many dogs; you’ll find
your dog begging for more! To add some garlic zip to your dog’s bones, add 1 teaspoon
minced garlic to the recipe. If the dough is too sticky when you form it into a ball, add
a little more flour to the dough as you knead it.
Sunflower: Sunflower seeds add a nutty flavor to these bones as well as some healthy
oils for your dog’s skin and coat. Grind 1 cup sunflower seeds in a blender or food
processor until they become a coarse powder.
When you roll out the dough, add the ground
sunflower seeds to the flour on the breadboard.
Valentine’s Day Treats: Do you like to give your
two-legged friends treats on Valentine’s Day?
Here are some for your four-legged friends.
Add 1 teaspoon red food coloring (or a color
alternative) and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to
the dough as you mix the water with the dry
ingredients.
Christmas Cookies: Share the spirit of the
season with your dog by making up a batch of
these seasonal treats. Add 1 teaspoon red food
coloring (or a color alternative) and 1/2 teaspoon
peppermint oil flavoring to the mixture as you
mix the water with the dry ingredients.
