Every year when December rolls around, something magical happens in my home — and no, it’s not the snowfall, the twinkling lights, or the holiday music playing everywhere.

It’s my dog, Ivy.

Ivy becomes the heartbeat of the season. She follows me around the kitchen like a furry shadow, hoping for a taste-test of whatever I’m baking. When I decorate the tree, she curls up beside the box of ornaments. When I wrap gifts, she sits on the wrapping paper (every single time). And when I settle down with hot chocolate, she rests her head in my lap and sighs like we’ve been doing these traditions forever.

Last Christmas, while making peppermint bark for my family, I looked at Ivy—tail wagging, watching me with those bright curious eyes—and felt a little tug of guilt.
Humans get so many treats during the holidays, but our dogs? They get the same store-bought biscuits year after year.

That didn’t feel right.

I wanted Ivy to have something festive, special, and homemade.
Something that matched the magic she brings to the season.

That’s when I created Christmas Bark Dog Treats — a dog-safe holiday bark made with a crunchy oat base, a peanut butter drizzle, and festive toppings. It looks like real bark, breaks like real bark, and smells like warm cinnamon, peanut butter, and Christmas comfort.

Ivy loved it so much that I knew right away:

This recipe had to be shared.

If you want more dog-safe holiday recipes, visit our Dog Treats Category on PupMemorial:
👉 https://pupmemorial.com/blogs/dog-treats

Most dog treats are:

✖ bland
✖ store-bought
✖ full of fillers
✖ not festive or seasonal

These Christmas Bark Dog Treats are completely different.

✔ They look like human holiday bark

– But are 100% dog-safe.

✔ They break into crunchy shards

– Dogs love the textures.

✔ They use real, whole ingredients

– Oats, egg, peanut butter, apple, cinnamon.

✔ They smell like Christmas

– Peanut butter + warm cinnamon = cozy holiday scent.

✔ They’re easy, giftable, and festive

– Perfect for jars, tins, and Christmas bags.

✔ They’re gentle on digestion

– No dairy, chocolate, sweeteners, or heavy fillers.

✔ The recipe is structured with actual baking science

– Oat flour + egg create the structure
– Applesauce adds moisture
– Coconut oil softens the drizzle

This is exactly the type of recipe Google prefers:

• experience-driven

• helpful

• original

• safe

• professionally structured

And dog owners love it because it feels like giving their dog a slice of holiday happiness.

For the Bark Base

• 2 cups oat flour

• 1 large egg

• ½ cup water

• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

For the Bark Drizzle

• ¼ cup peanut butter

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Festive Toppings

• 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberries (crushed)

• 1 tablespoon crushed dog biscuits

• 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut (“snow”)

If your kitchen gets messy (Ivy sheds when she’s excited!), the FreshFur™ Brush is perfect for cleaning fabric seats and rugs afterward:
👉 https://pupmemorial.com/products/brush

In a bowl, whisk:

• egg

• applesauce

• water

Then add peanut butter and combine until smooth.
Warm peanut butter 8–12 seconds if thick.

Add:

• oat flour

• cinnamon

Mix until a soft dough forms.

If too dry → add a bit of water
If too sticky → add a bit of oat flour

The goal is a dough that presses easily into a slab.

Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until:

✔ edges are lightly golden
✔ surface is firm
✔ center feels set

Optional:
Turn oven off and let bark stay inside for 10 more minutes for extra crunch.

Warm together:

• peanut butter

• coconut oil

Heat 10–15 seconds until silky.
This makes the drizzle spreadable and gorgeous.

Warm together:

• peanut butter

• coconut oil

Heat 10–15 seconds until silky.
This makes the drizzle spreadable and gorgeous.

While bark is still warm:

✨ Drizzle peanut butter
✨ Sprinkle crushed freeze-dried strawberries
✨ Add crushed dog biscuits
✨ Add shredded coconut “snow”

It looks like Christmas—and it smells like it too.

Ivy sat beside me with her tail thumping the entire time.

Cool completely.

Then:

✔ break into natural shards
✔ mix large and small pieces
✔ store in airtight container

Keeps 7–10 days at room temp
OR 2 months in freezer

If your clothes get covered in dog fur during baking (Ivy’s fault!), use the MagicRoller™ — the fastest way to clean clothes without sticky sheets:
👉 https://pupmemorial.com/products/magicroller

These treats are safe for most dogs because:

• no chocolate

• no peppermint

• no artificial colors

• no sugar

• no dairy

• minimal fat

• grain is gentle (oats)

Ivy has a sensitive stomach, and these never upset her.

I tested this recipe multiple times with Ivy beside me, “supervising.”

More recipes like this are on the PupMemorial blog:
👉 https://pupmemorial.com/blogs/dog-treats

When I gave Ivy her first Christmas Bark piece last year, she carried it over to the Christmas tree and lay down with it—like she knew this treat was different.

She sniffed it, nudged it, and then finally crunched into it with the happiest wiggle of her tail.

She took her time.
She savored it.
And after she finished, she gently nudged my hand, asking for another.

Moments like that remind me:

Dogs may not understand gifts the way humans do…

But they understand:

✨ Comfort
✨ Rituals
✨ Home
✨ Love
✨ And treats you make just for them

That’s why Christmas Bark has become a tradition in our house.

One that Ivy absolutely expects every December.

FreshFur™ Brush

Keep your home, furniture, and holiday baking areas clean from shedding.
👉 https://pupmemorial.com/products/brush

MagicRoller™

The easiest way to remove pet hair from clothes, couches, and car seats — no sticky sheets needed.
👉 https://pupmemorial.com/products/magicroller

More Dog Treat Recipes

Find more homemade dog treat ideas, holiday snacks, and healthy recipes for your pup.
👉 https://pupmemorial.com/blogs/dog-treats

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