7 Easy Christmas Dog Treat Recipes
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Time to read 8 min
✅ Why Homemade Christmas Treats
The holidays are all about cozy moments, sharing joy, and letting the ones we love feel extra special and yes, that includes our pups. Making Christmas Dog Treats Homemade means knowing exactly what goes into their snacks: no preservatives, no mystery ingredients, no artificial dyes. Just simple, festive, tail-wagging magic baked right at home.
Homemade Christmas dog treats also become memories:
cooling cookies on parchment
tiny snowman faces
coconut “snow” drifting across the counter
that peanut-butter smell that somehow smells more like Christmas than cookies
It’s simple joy wrapped in cinnamon, frosting dots, and paw-approved ingredients.
🎯 Rule for All Recipes
- If dough sticks → add flour slowly
- If dough cracks → add 1–2 tsp applesauce
- If frosting smears → chill or air-dry longer
- If frozen treats get icy → use full-fat yogurt + starch
🎄 1. Classic Christmas Bark Dog Treats
Why It Feels Special
It looks exactly like holiday cookie bark but is gentle, safe, and made entirely from pantry staples.
Key Fix
Use egg yolk only → keeps bark crisp but not brittle.
Good to Know
Cool completely before breaking or it will crumble.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- ¼ cup thick applesauce (not watery)
- 1 egg yolk only
- 1⅓–1½ cups oat flour
- 1 tbsp coconut flakes or freeze-dried berry powder for “snow”
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F / 175°C.
Mix peanut butter, applesauce, and egg yolk until smooth and thick.
Add flour slowly until dough feels like firm cookie dough, not sticky.
Press into a flat, ¼-inch / 6 mm sheet on parchment paper.
Sprinkle coconut or berry dust lightly.
Bake 16–18 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Let cool fully on a wire rack.
Break into bark pieces once completely cooled.
Storage
- Counter: up to 5 days, airtight
Fridge: up to 10 days
Freeze: 2 months, thaw on rack for crisp finish
Why This Recipe Is Good
This is the easiest treat to package, gift, freeze, and store.
It snaps cleanly, holds shape, and doesn’t turn soft after thawing.
Perfect for holiday gifting bags and cookie tins.
❄️ 2. Peanut Butter Snowflake Biscuits
Why It Feels Special
They bring real holiday cookie energy without complicated icing or shapes.
Key Fix
Cut slightly thicker to prevent snowflake arms from breaking.
Good to Know
Use unsweetened puree — not pie filling, which causes soggy centers.
Ingredients
¼ cup creamy peanut butter
¼ cup applesauce (or 2 tbsp applesauce + 1 tbsp water)
1 egg
1½ cups oat flour
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C.
Mix peanut butter, applesauce, and egg.
Add flour gradually until dough is stiff, not sticky.
Chill dough 10 minutes to strengthen shape.
Roll slightly thicker than ¼ inch.
Cut snowflakes with etched cutter for details.
Bake 15–18 minutes until edges firm.
Cool completely before stacking or gifting.
Storage
Tin: 7–10 days
Freeze: 8 weeks, thaw on rack
Why This Recipe Is Good
These treats keep their cut-out shape perfectly and never puff or spread.
They won’t crumble on edges and are ideal for holiday tins and treat boxes.
☃️ 3. Frosted Snowman Cookies
Why It Feels Special
They look whimsical and holiday-magical without needing piping skills.
Key Fix
Add 1 tsp tapioca or cornstarch to yogurt → frosting sets firm, no smears.
Good to Know
Frost only when fully cooled or icing will slide.
Ingredients
Cookie Base
¼ cup peanut butter
¼ cup applesauce
1½ cups oat flour
Frosting
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp tapioca starch (or cornstarch)
tiny carrot bits or blueberry halves for buttons/eyes
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C.
Mix wet ingredients → add flour.
Roll ¼ inch thick.
Cut circles for snowman heads.
Bake 14–16 minutes.
Cool fully on rack — no warmth left.
Frost thin layer by spoon or finger.
Add small “face” details.
Let dry 4–6 hours or chill 1 hour.
Storage
Fridge: 4–5 days
Freeze: 4–6 weeks layered with parchment
Why This Recipe Is Good
The frosting dries matte and firm, so cookies can be stacked and gifted.
Zero sticky mess and perfect for photos.
🕯 4. Cranberry-Coconut Holiday Bark
Why It Feels Special
It glitters and feels festive without dyes, sprinkles, or sugary toppings.
Key Fix
Press toppings into dough before baking.
Good to Know
Use unsweetened freeze-dried berries — fresh ones bleed and soften bark.
Ingredients
¼ cup peanut butter
¼ cup applesauce
1 egg yolk
1½ cups oat flour
coconut flakes + powdered cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C.
- Mix dough and press into ¼-inch sheet.
- Add toppings and press gently.
- Bake 16–18 minutes.
- Cool fully.
- Break into durable bark chunks.
Storage
Counter: 4 days
Freeze: 6 weeks
Why This Recipe Is Good
Colorful, crunchy, and hands-free decorating.
Everything stays stuck after baking, not loose.
🎅 5. Gingerbread Pup Biscuits
Why It Feels Special
They smell like the holidays — warm apple, soft cinnamon, cozy memories.
Key Fix
No nutmeg — just cinnamon. Nutmeg is unsafe for dogs.
Good to Know
Use thicker puree or applesauce to avoid cracks.
Ingredients
¼ cup apple puree (thick)
¼ cup peanut butter
pinch cinnamon
1½ cups oat flour
Instructions
Preheat to 350°F / 175°C.
Mix puree + peanut butter + cinnamon.
Add flour slowly until firm dough forms.
Roll slightly under ½ inch.
Cut classic shapes or rounds.
Bake 15–18 minutes.
Cool fully.
Storage
Tin: 7–10 days
Freeze: 2 months
Why This Recipe Is Good
Perfect thickness means no cracking at arms or legs.
They stay whole when given as gifts — reliable and cute.
🍎 6. Apple-Cinnamon Cozy Treats
Why It Feels Special
They bring calm winter vibes without added sugar or heavy frosting.
Key Fix
Only use thick, unsweetened puree.
Good to Know
Watery puree = soft, bendy cookies.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup thick apple puree
¼ cup peanut butter
pinch cinnamon
1⅓–1½ cups oat flour
Instructions
Mix ingredients until dough forms.
Scoop circles or press into simple shapes.
Bake 16 minutes.
Cool completely before storing.
Cool fully.
Storage
Counter: 5–7 days
Freeze: 2 months
Why This Recipe Is Good
Ultra-simple, clean dough that never spreads or loses shape.
Stable enough for traveling or gifting.
❄️ 7. Frozen Yogurt Holiday Bites
Why It Feels Special
Like holiday ice cream for pups — refreshing and fun with zero baking stress.
Key Fix
Add 1 tsp tapioca starch → prevents ice crystals.
Good to Know
Freeze fully before removing from molds.
Ingredients
½ cup full-fat Greek yogurt
2 tbsp peanut butter
1 tsp tapioca starch
berry pieces if desired
Instructions
Mix until smooth.
Pour into silicone Christmas molds.
Freeze 4+ hours.
Pop out & store frozen.
Storage
Freeze: 3 months in airtight container
Why This Recipe Is Good
Texture stays smooth, not icy, and pops out clean every time.
Great for sensitive pups and warm homes during busy holidays.
🐾 Final Holiday Baking Tips
Before you package those tins, tie those ribbons, and present the cutest Christmas dog treats homemade… follow these last pro baker notes:
| Issue | What Happened | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Treats are soft next day | Applesauce too wet | Add +2 tbsp oat flour next batch |
| Treat edges cracked | Dough too dry | Add 1–2 tsp applesauce |
| Frosting won’t set | Yogurt too runny | Add 1 tsp tapioca/cornstarch |
| Colors bled | Used fresh berries | Use freeze-dried powders only |
| Frozen bites icy | Low-fat yogurt | Switch to full-fat + starch |
🎁 How to Gift Your Homemade Christmas Dog Treats
Yes we’re going full Hallmark dog-mom mode.
Packaging Ideas
Kraft treat bags + twine + paw sticker
Mini cookie tins with parchment layers
Snowflake cellophane bags + name tags
Holiday jar + ribbon + “From: Santa Paws” label
Add-On Magic
Slip inside each bag:
A handwritten note
Dog’s name tag charm
A tiny Christmas bow
Silica gel packet (keeps treats crisp)
This turns a treat into a heart moment.
💡 Holiday Flavor Variations (Safe + Cute)
| Theme | Ingredient Twist | How to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Grinch Green | Spinach powder | Mix into dough for natural green |
| Santa Red | Beet powder | Tint half the dough for swirls |
| Snowfall | Coconut flakes | Sprinkle before baking |
| Nut-Free | Replace peanut butter → pumpkin | Same bake time |
| Cozy Spice | Cinnamon (tiny pinch) | Just scent, not flavor strong |
Absolutely no peppermint oils, nutmeg, raisin bits, or chocolate.
📌 Storage Overview
| Treat Type | Room Temp | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic biscuits | 5–7 days | 10 days | 6–8 weeks |
| Frosted cookies | — | 4–5 days | 4–6 weeks |
| Bark shards | 4–5 days | 10 days | 2 months |
| Frozen bites | — | — | 3 months |
Fridge rule: Use airtight tin or glass jar with parchment, never plastic bag → avoids moisture softening treats.
🐶 Can Your Dog Eat These Daily?
Yes — with balance.
These recipes are:
low-sugar
real-ingredient only
gentle on digestion
Guideline:
2–4 small treats per day for medium dogs
1–2 for small pups
4–6 for large breeds
🌟 Christmas Baking Safety Checklist
Before whisking and rolling:
✔ Check peanut butter is xylitol-free
✔ Use unsweetened applesauce/puree only
✔ Keep cinnamon to a pinch
✔ Freeze-dried berries only for color
✔ Fully cool before frosting or stacking
✔ Freeze in batches to avoid staleness
A few minutes of checking = one very happy holiday tummy.
🎄 The Joy of Christmas Dog Treats Homemade
It’s not about perfect shapes, detailed icing, or dazzling Pinterest photos.
It’s about:
paws tap-dancing on tile
watching snow through the window while cookies cool
peanut-butter scent drifting through twinkle lights
and the soft thump of your dog’s tail every time you pass the cookie tin
Our dogs don’t care if a snowman looks more like a lumpy circle.
They care that you made it for them.
That’s the real Christmas gift.
🎁 Final Word
At the end of all the baking, cooling racks, frosting smudges, and coconut “snow,” it really comes down to one simple truth: our dogs just want to be included.
They don’t care if your snowman cookies look a little lopsided or if the icing didn’t land exactly where you hoped. They don’t need perfect shapes, fancy ingredient lists, or Pinterest-level presentation. What they feel is the time you took, the scent of peanut butter that fills the kitchen, and the way you smile at them when you say, “These are for you.”
These Christmas dog treats homemade are more than holiday snacks they’re tiny moments of connection. They’re your dog sitting by your feet while dough chills, the soft tap of their tail every time you glance their way, and the excitement in their eyes when you open the treat tin.
If there’s anything this season reminds us of, it’s that joy doesn’t usually look complicated. Sometimes it’s flour on your sweater, a warm kitchen, twinkle lights, and a dog who thinks you are the best part of their entire world.
So go ahead bake the treats, share the crumbs, enjoy the chaos and the quiet moments.
Because to your dog, you are the gift. 🎄🐾
