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Time to read 4 min
Every December, kitchens everywhere fill with the smell of gingerbread, cinnamon, and fresh cookies. While we enjoy our plates of holiday sweets, dogs often sit close by, watching every bite with hopeful eyes. That’s why I started making my own Christmas dog treats recipes — so our pups can have something festive of their own during the holidays.
With just a few pantry staples and a little creativity, you can bake treats that not only look Christmas-ready but are also safe, healthy, and filled with the holiday spirit.
Table of contents
Dogs are family — and Christmas is about sharing traditions with the ones we love. By baking treats just for them, you’re not only giving them something tasty but also keeping them safe from holiday foods that can be dangerous, like chocolate, nutmeg, and raisins.
These recipes are designed to be festive, simple to make, and gentle on sensitive stomachs. They’re also perfect for gifting to friends, neighbors, or anyone else who has a dog in their home.
Ingredients:
2 cups oat flour
½ cup pumpkin purée (unsweetened)
2 tbsp peanut butter (xylitol-free)
1 egg
½ tsp ground ginger
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix pumpkin, peanut butter, egg, and ginger until smooth.
Stir in flour a little at a time until dough forms.
Roll dough out on a floured surface and cut into gingerbread men, stars, or trees.
Bake 15–18 minutes until golden but still soft in the center.
Let cool fully before serving or decorating with a dog-safe yogurt glaze.
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups oat flour
½ cup mashed sweet potato (cooked, unsalted)
⅓ cup chopped unsweetened cranberries
1 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
1 egg
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
Mix sweet potato, egg, and coconut oil in a bowl.
Stir in flour and cranberries until dough forms.
Roll dough out and cut into snowflake shapes with a cookie cutter.
Bake 12–15 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Cool completely before serving — the cranberries will give a festive red sparkle.
Ingredients:
1 cup mashed banana
½ cup oat flour
2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt (unsweetened)
¼ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
Instructions:
In a medium bowl, mix banana, yogurt, and flour until smooth.
Roll dough into small bite-sized balls.
Roll each ball in shredded coconut for a snowy “frosted” effect.
Chill in the refrigerator for 1–2 hours until firm.
Serve as a quick holiday snack or package as a gift in festive tins.
Festive Flavors: Gingerbread spices, cranberries, sweet potato, banana, and coconut.
Wholesome & Safe: No chocolate, no sugar, no unsafe spices.
Fun Shapes & Textures: Crunchy cookies, chewy bites, and snowy no-bake balls.
Balanced Snacks: High in fiber, vitamins, and protein.
| Ingredient | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Pumpkin | Fiber & vitamins, aids digestion |
| Peanut butter | Protein & healthy fats (xylitol-free) |
| Sweet potato | Vitamin A, fiber, skin & coat health |
| Cranberries | Antioxidants, urinary health |
| Banana | Potassium & natural sweetness |
| Coconut | Healthy fats & festive texture |
Digestive Support: Pumpkin, sweet potato, oats, and applesauce are gentle on the stomach.
Antioxidant Boost: Cranberries help immune and urinary health.
Energy & Protein: Peanut butter, egg, and yogurt give strength for holiday play.
Festive but Healthy: Only whole ingredients, no fillers or preservatives.
Add spinach purée for natural green dough.
Use beet powder for red coloring in candy cane twists.
Swap sweet potato for pumpkin if that’s what you have on hand.
Roll banana bites in freeze-dried strawberries for “red ornaments.”
Cut cookies into paw prints, stockings, or bone shapes for variety.
Gingerbread Cookies: Store in an airtight tin at room temperature for 7–10 days. For longer storage, freeze up to 2 months. To refresh, warm briefly in the oven.
Snowflake Cranberry Bites: Best kept in the fridge for 5–7 days in an airtight container. Can be frozen for up to 1 month. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Banana Coconut Snowballs: Keep refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 1 week. If gifting, prepare close to delivery time since these are softer. They also freeze well for 3–4 weeks — thaw for a few minutes before serving.
Gifting Tip: For holiday presents, pack baked treats in mason jars, cellophane bags, or festive tins. For refrigerated no-bake treats, gift only locally and always include a note: “Dog-safe, homemade with love. Please refrigerate.”
Dough too dry? Add 1–2 tbsp water, applesauce, or banana.
Too sticky? Chill dough for 15 minutes or sprinkle with oat flour before rolling.
Treats too hard? Bake 2–3 minutes less for a softer texture.
Snowballs falling apart? Add more oat flour or chill longer before serving.
The holidays are about more than gifts and food — they’re about connection. Rolling out dough, cutting cookies into trees and stars, or dusting snowballs with coconut flakes becomes more than baking — it’s memory-making. Most dogs sit nearby, tails wagging, as if they know these cookies are just for them. By the time the treats are ready, you’ve created a holiday tradition to share for years to come.
This Christmas dog treats recipe collection proves that baking for dogs can be as fun as baking for people. From gingerbread cookies to snowy coconut bites, every treat is safe, festive, and made with love. Whether you’re whipping them up for your own pup or packaging them as gifts for friends, these recipes bring the holiday spirit straight to the paws of the ones who love us unconditionally. 🎄🐾
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