Spoil your furry friend with a homemade fruit tart. These dog-friendly delights are not just tarts, they’re a labor of love. Made with wholesome ingredients, these fruity tarts for dogs have a crunchy crust and berry filling made with fresh berries and gelatin. Your pup won’t be able to resist this tasty dessert treat.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Just because dogs are natural carnivores doesn’t mean they have to eat only meat all the time. But when you see treats in the store, you won’t see very many fruity dessert options.
That’s why this recipe is so amazing! It lets you spoil your dog with something fruity and sweet without added sugar.
All of the ingredients aren’t just safe for dogs; they are nutritious, too! For example, gelatin is good for a dog’s joint health. Raspberries are high in antioxidants, and applesauce is a natural source of vitamin C.
Best of all, these fruit tarts are fantastic for your pup because they don’t just look delicious; they taste amazing, too! You’ll love watching them gobble up these tarts and then begging for more!
Ingredients and What They Bring to the Tarts
Each one of the ingredients has an important role in the tarts. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the crust:
- Oat Flour – Easily digestible for dogs and great for making dog treats.
- Unsweetened Applesauce – Naturally sweetens the crust and helps to hold it together.
- Egg – Adds protein and helps to bind the crust.
For the filling:
- Fresh or Frozen Berries – The star of the tart!
- Water – To dissolve the gelatin and add moisture to the filling.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Brings out the berry flavor and keeps the filling bright.
- Unflavored Gelatin – Thickens the filling and adds collagen and protein.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
I used raspberries, but you can use any berries that are safe for dogs to eat. Some great choices are blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, or a combination of them.
You can make oat flour by placing uncooked old-fashioned oats in a blender or food processor and blending until it has the consistency of flour. One cup of oats makes about 3/4 cup of oat flour.
You can substitute rice flour for the oat flour, and you can also make it in a food processor or blender by blending uncooked rice.
You can substitute all-purpose flour or a 50-50 combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flour for the oat flour. The amount will have to be adjusted since those flours will cause the dough to have a different consistency. Because whole wheat flour is denser, it’s not a good substitute to use by itself.
Equipment Needed
You probably have all the kitchen items to make this recipe. But just in case:
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Small pan or skillet
- 12-cup mini muffin pan
How to Make Fruit Tarts for Dogs
These are the recipe steps and some photos of making the tarts. I hope they help you make these fruity treats for your dog.
To make the crust:
- In a mixing bowl, combine oat flour, applesauce, and egg.
- Place approximately 1 tablespoon of crust mixture into each well in a 12-cup mini muffin pan. Use a small spoon to press down the center of the dough and up around the sides to form a shallow well.
- Bake crusts at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
To make the filling:
- Place berries in a small pan over low to medium heat and cook them for a few minutes until they start to fall apart and release their juices. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Remove the pan from the heat once the berries are softened and allow them to cool. Mash the berries with a fork.
- Combine water, vinegar, and gelatin in a small bowl. Let the mixture stand for about five minutes to thicken.
- Stir the mashed berries into the gelatin mixture.
- Pour the berry gelatin mixture into the pan.
- Cook on low heat for about 5 minutes or until the gelatin is liquid. Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool.
- Spoon about 2 teaspoons of filling into each crust.
- Top the tarts with fresh berries.
Tip: Instead of topping the tart with fresh fruit, you can top it with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt or whipped cream for dogs.
How to Store Fruit Tarts and How Long They Last
Place the tarts in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator. They will last up to 5 days.
For longer storage, you can freeze the tarts in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Give them to your dog as a frozen treat, or thaw them in the fridge overnight.
Can people eat this fruit tart?
Oh yes! All of the ingredients are safe for human consumption. They would be a great mini dessert for those watching their sugar intake.
More Dog Dessert Recipes
Do you want to make more yummy desserts for your dog? Try these recipes:
- Apple Pie for Dogs
- Blueberry Pie for Dogs
- Carrot Cupcakes for Dogs
- Carob Cake for Dogs
- Fruit Truffles for Dogs
- Pumpkin Pie for Dogs
- Sweet Potato Pie for Dogs
Find lots of easy recipes for fruity dog treats right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Fruit Tart for Dogs
Ingredients
Crust
- 3/4 Cup Oat Flour
- 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1 Egg
Filling
- ½ cup Fresh or Frozen Berries
- ½ cup Water
- 1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 packet Unflavored Gelatin
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a mixing bowl, combine oat flour, applesauce, and egg.
- Place approximately 1 tablespoon of crust mixture into each well in a 12-cup mini muffin pan. Use a small spoon to press down the center of the dough and up around the sides to form a shallow well.
- Bake crusts for 10 to 12 minutes.
- While the crusts are baking, prepare the filling. Place berries in a small pan over low to medium heat and cook for several minutes until they start to fall apart and release their juices. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Remove the pan from the heat once the berries are softened and allow them to cool. Mash the berries with a fork.
- Combine water, vinegar, and gelatin in a small bowl. Let stand for about five minutes to thicken.
- Stir berries into the gelatin mixture and return it to the pan. Heat on low for approximately five minutes until the gelatin is liquid. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons of filling into each crust. Top with fresh berries or Greek yogurt.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Amount
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Consult your vet if you’re unsure about how many treats to give.
If your pup hasn’t had any of the ingredients before, start with a small amount to make sure there are no sensitivities or allergies.
When it says add to gelatin mixture, does that mean just the powder or do you actually make the gelatin mixture then add it?
You make the gelatin mixture then add the berries.