Do you want a festive way to spoil your pup during the holidays (or any time of year)? These homemade cranberry dog treats are as cheerful as they are tasty! Made with fresh and dried cranberries, they’re full of fruity flavor and the perfect crunchy snack for your four-legged friend. Whether you’re baking a batch for your dog or wrapping them up as gifts, these bright little biscuits are sure to be a hit.
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Why You and Your Dog Will Love This Recipe
These cranberry treats aren’t just adorable, they’re a nutritious, homemade alternative to store-bought snacks. And let’s be honest, baking for your dog is half the fun!
They’re made with real cranberries. Both fresh and dried cranberries give these treats a pop of flavor and a dose of antioxidants.
They’re great holiday dog cookies. Wrap them up in a cute bag or jar, and you’ve got a sweet gift for fellow pet parents. Or bring them to a dog-friendly holiday cookie exchange!
They’re easy to customize. You can switch up the flour or use different shapes to fit the occasion.
They’re a fun baking project. Roll out the dough, grab your favorite cookie cutter, and get creative with these cranberry cookies for your pup.
Ingredients
These treats are made with wholesome ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Here’s what goes into the mix:
- Old-fashioned oats – Ground into oat flour, they create a hearty, fiber-filled base for the treats.
- Baking soda – Helps the treats bake up with a nice texture.
- Egg – Adds protein and helps bind the dough together.
- Unsweetened applesauce – A naturally sweet ingredient that’s safe for dogs and keeps the treats moist.
- Coconut oil – Adds healthy fat and flavor.
- Fresh cranberries – Tart and full of antioxidants, perfect for dogs in small amounts.
- Unsweetened dried cranberries – Chewy and sweet with no added sugar.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
These cranberry treats are flexible if you want to use different ingredients or work with what’s in your pantry. Here are some helpful tips:
No fresh cranberries? Frozen whole cranberries work too, just thaw them first!
Want to use brown rice flour? You can grind up uncooked brown rice instead of oats to make a fine flour.
Need a flour swap? Use all-purpose flour or a mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour. Keep in mind, the consistency will change, so you may need to tweak the amount.
Equipment Needed
You probably have most of the kitchen items you need to make these treats. You can use your favorite cookie cutters or cookie cutters for dog treats shaped like dog paws or bones.
How to Make Cranberry Dog Treats
These treats are super simple to make and come together just like classic cut-out cookies. Here’s how it’s done:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Pulse the oats (or brown rice) in a food processor or blender to create flour.
- In a large bowl, mix the oat flour and baking soda.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the egg, applesauce, and coconut oil.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Stir in the fresh and dried cranberries.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about ½ inch thick.
- Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Re-roll the scraps and keep cutting until all the dough is used.
- Place the treats on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
- Let them cool completely before serving.
Recipe Variations
- Additional Fiber – Add a tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds for extra fiber and health benefits.
- Blueberry Cranberry Dog Treats – Substitute half of the cranberries with organic whole blueberries and unsweetened dried blueberries.
- Peanut Butter Cranberry Dog Treats – Substitute applesauce with unsweetened creamy peanut butter. Make sure it does not contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener toxic to dogs.
- Pumpkin Cranberry Dog Treats – Substitute applesauce with pumpkin puree.
- Sweet Potato Cranberry Dog Treats – Substitute applesauce with plain mashed sweet potatoes.
Serving Size
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories to keep their diet balanced and healthy. If you’re not sure how many treats are right for your dog, your veterinarian can help guide you.
Also, if your pup hasn’t had cranberries, coconut oil, or any of these ingredients before, start with just one treat and keep an eye out for any signs of allergies or sensitivities.
How to Store the Treats and How Long They Last
Once the treats are completely cooled, store them in an airtight container:
- At room temperature – they’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days.
- In the refrigerator – they’ll last about a week.
- In the freezer – they’ll keep for up to 4 months. Just thaw at room temp or serve straight from the freezer for a cool treat!
Can people eat these treats?
Yes! Every ingredient in these treats is safe for humans, and they’re naturally low in sugar, too. So if you’re curious, go ahead and give one a try. They’re like a lightly sweetened oat biscuit with a fruity twist!
Popular Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
Do you want to make more treats for your dog? Here are some different ones to make:
- Apple Cinnamon Dog Treats
- Banana Pumpkin Dog Treats
- Christmas Dog Treats
- Dog Carrot Cake
- Gingerbread Dog Treats
- Peanut Butter Dog Cookies with Icing
- Pumpkin Dog Biscuits
- Snickerdoodles for Dogs
- Sweet Potato Dog Chews
Find more easy dog treat recipes with fruit right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Cranberry Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 2 cups Uncooked Old-Fashioned Oats or Brown Rice
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 Egg
- ½ cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 2 tablespoons Coconut Oil
- ½ cup Fresh Cranberries
- ¼ cup Unsweetened Dried Cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper or silicone mat.
- Pulse the oats or brown rice in the blender or food processor to create flour.
- Combine the flour and baking soda in a bowl.
- In another bowl, combine the egg, applesauce, and coconut oil.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Add the cranberries and stir them into the dough.
- Place the dough onto a floured surface and roll it out to ½ inch thickness.
- Cut out shapes with your favorite cookie cutter.
- Gather dough scraps, re-roll, and cut.
- Place the cutouts on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Transfer the treats to a wire rack to cool completely.
Warning: some of the non-cranberry ingredients are not good for dogs prone to calcium oxalate bladder stones!
Where did you find organic or all natural baking soda? I can only find baking soda created by a chemical process.
Bob’s Red Mill has all natural baking soda that’s made without chemicals.
https://www.bobsredmill.com/baking-soda.html
Can you make this with organic white rice flour
Yes you can.