These molasses dog treats are a wholesome and tasty way to spoil your pup with something special! Made with dog-safe ingredients like oat flour, applesauce, peanut butter, and blackstrap molasses, these cookies are perfect for the holiday season or any time you want to make your dog’s tail wag.
Whether you’re baking up a batch for your own furry friend or wrapping them up for a holiday treat exchange with fellow dog parents, they’re a sweet surprise that’s sure to get some extra tail wags.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
There’s something so wonderful about making homemade treats for your dog. You know exactly what’s going in them, and watching the excitement and tail wags makes it all worth it. These are just a few reasons this will be a go-to recipe:
Wholesome and Safe Ingredients – Unlike regular molasses cookies that often include nutmeg, cloves, or other spices that are toxic to dogs, this recipe uses only dog-safe ingredients you can feel good about.
Easy to Make – Just mix, roll, cut, and bake! It’s a simple process that doesn’t take much time but brings so much joy.
Customizable to Fit Your Dog’s Taste – Want to add a little ginger? Swap out the applesauce? You’ve got options! This recipe is easy to tweak to suit your pup’s preferences.
Perfect for Christmas and the Holidays – These treats look adorable, and you can cut them in festive shapes to make them great for including your pup in the holiday cookie tradition.
Great for Homemade Gifts and Cookie Exchanges – Wrap them up in cute bags or boxes and gift them to fellow pet parents. They make for a thoughtful and unique homemade present!
Ingredients and What They Bring to the Treats
This simple list of ingredients creates dog biscuits packed with flavor and goodness. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Blackstrap molasses – A rich source of iron, calcium, and magnesium; adds depth and sweetness.
- Peanut butter – Full of protein and flavor, it’s a dog-approved favorite.
- Unsweetened applesauce – Adds natural sweetness and moisture without added sugars.
- Oat flour – A gentle, gluten-free flour that’s easy on your dog’s tummy.
- Cinnamon – Adds a hint of warm spice that’s safe for dogs in small amounts.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
When making these treats, there are some things to keep in mind and simple swaps you can make:
- Safety Tip – Always double-check that your peanut butter does not contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
- Nut Butter Options – You can use almond butter or sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter. Just be sure they’re plain and xylitol-free.
- Fruit Substitutes – Instead of applesauce, try using mashed ripe banana, plain pumpkin puree, or sweet potato for a different flavor.
- Spice Boost – Want a little extra warmth? Add a teaspoon of ground ginger to the dough.
- Make Your Own Flour – Blend uncooked old-fashioned oats in a food processor or blender until they reach a flour consistency. One cup of oats yields about ¾ cup of oat flour.
- Flour Swaps – Use rice flour (homemade from uncooked rice), all-purpose flour, or a 50/50 blend of all-purpose and whole wheat. Avoid using 100% whole wheat flour because it’s too dense.
Equipment Needed
You likely have the kitchen items you need for making the treats. You can use any cookie cutter, but bone shaped cookie cutters make them cute throughout the year, and Christmas cookie cutters are great for the holidays.
How to Make Molasses Dog Treats
These treats come together in no time with just a few easy steps. Here’s what to do:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Mix the dry ingredients – In a small bowl, combine the oat flour and cinnamon.
- Mix the wet ingredients – In a medium bowl, stir together the applesauce, molasses, and peanut butter.
- Combine everything – Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and stir until a dough forms.
- Roll and cut – Roll out the dough to about ¼ to ½ inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
- Bake – Place the cutouts on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until firm.
- Cool – Let the treats cool completely on the baking sheet before serving or storing.
How to Store the Treats and How Long They Last
Once cooled, store the treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
For longer storage, freeze the treats in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll last up to 3 months. You can let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
Can people eat these treats?
Oh yes, they sure can! Everything in them is safe for human consumption. Give one a try and you may find you enjoy this pup-friendly cookie too.
More Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
How about making some other treats to spoil your hound with? Oh yes! Check these out:
- Cranberry Dog Treats
- Decorated Christmas Dog Treats
- Dog Treat Mix in a Jar – Perfect for gift-giving!
- Gingerbread Dog Treats
- Honey Dog Treats
- No Bake Coconut Dog Treats
- Pumpkin Dog Cookies
Find lots of easy recipes for dog treats right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Molasses Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups oat flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons blackstrap molasses
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, combine the flour and cinnamon. In a medium bowl, combine the applesauce, molasses and peanut butter.
- Add the flour mixture to the molasses mixture and stir until well combined.
- Place the dough on parchment paper and roll out the dough until 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Using a cookie cutter, cut out as many shapes as possible. Reroll and cut to use all the dough.
- Place the cutouts on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet.
- Store in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Amount
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. If you’re unsure about portion size, talk with your vet.
And as always, if your dog hasn’t had one of the ingredients before, start with a small piece to make sure they don’t have any allergies or sensitivities.
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