These Valentine’s Day Dog Treats are such a fun and adorable way to include your pup in the holiday. They are crunchy heart-shaped peanut butter cookies decorated with dog-safe icing that looks just like real Valentine cookies. They’re festive, cute, and perfect for celebrating the day of love with your favorite four-legged sweetheart.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
There is something so joyful about making special holiday treats for your dog and seeing their excitement as they wait for them to be ready. It feels good to create something just for them, and these little heart cookies make the sweetest celebration. There are so many reasons this recipe will be a favorite.
Wholesome Ingredients – These treats are made with simple, dog-safe, and nutritious ingredients so you can feel great about sharing them.
Easy to Make – The dough mixes together just like human cookie dough. Roll, cut, bake, and decorate.
Simple to Customize – You can switch up flavors and tailor the cookies to your dog’s preferences or dietary needs.
Economical – Homemade treats cost far less than fancy boutique bakery cookies for dogs.
Perfect for Valentine’s Day – These heart-shaped cookies are just right for including your dog in the fun of the holiday.
Ingredients and What They Bring to the Treats
These cookies come together with just a handful of pantry staples. Here’s what each ingredient adds.
For the cookies:
- Peanut butter: Adds flavor, richness, protein, and helps bind the dough.
- Unsweetened applesauce: Provides moisture and gentle sweetness without added sugar.
- Egg: Helps hold the dough together and adds structure.
- Coconut oil: Adds healthy fats and smooth texture.
- Oat flour: Makes them easily digestible and wheat-free.
For the icing:
- Beet powder: Natural color for a pretty Valentine red.
- Water: Mixes with the beet powder to make the coloring mixture.
- Honey: Adds sweetness and shine.
- Cornstarch, arrowroot, or tapioca starch: The base and thickener of the icing.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Here are some simple swaps and helpful notes to make these treats fit your dog’s needs.
- Safety: Do not use peanut butter that contains xylitol. It is toxic to dogs.
- Peanut Butter: You can substitute it with almond butter or sunflower seed butter as long as it is xylitol-free.
- Applesauce: You can substitute it with mashed banana or plain pumpkin puree.
- Honey: You can substitute it with maple syrup or blackstrap molasses.
- Oat Flour: You can make it by blending old-fashioned rolled oats in a blender or food processor until a flour-like consistency is reached. One cup of oats makes about 3/4 cup of flour.
- Other flours: Rice flour, all-purpose flour, or a 50-50 combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flour can be used. Because whole wheat flour is denser, it should not be used by itself. Do not use coconut flour because it absorbs too much moisture.
How to Make Natural Red Food Coloring
If you prefer not to use beet powder, you can make your own dog-safe red coloring. Here’s how:
Place about 1/4 cup of chopped beets, strawberries, or raspberries in a small skillet. Simmer until they release their juices. Strain out the pulp and keep the liquid. Add enough water to make two teaspoons of coloring.
Equipment Needed
You likely have everything you need to make these Valentine dog treats. Any cookie cutter will work, but heart-shaped cutters make them perfect for the holiday.
How to Make Valentine’s Day Dog Treats
Making these adorable heart-shaped treats is simple and fun. Here’s what to do step by step:
To make the cookie treats:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a baking sheet or line it with parchment or a silicone mat.
- Combine the wet ingredients in a bowl using a mixer or by hand.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch thick.
- Use a heart cookie cutter to cut out shapes, re-rolling scraps until all dough is used.
- Place the cutouts on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and cool completely.
To make the icing:
- Combine beet powder and water in a small bowl. Adjust water as needed to reach the color intensity you want.
- In a separate bowl, mix honey, two teaspoons of the beet coloring, and two tablespoons of your chosen starch.
- Stir until smooth, adding more starch if needed to reach a spreadable thickness.
- Spread the icing onto the cookies and let them sit until the icing hardens.
How to Store the Treats and How Long They Last
Store the treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If they are iced, place parchment paper between the layers to prevent sticking. They will last up to 5 days refrigerated.
For longer storage, freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving or give them as a frozen treat.
Can people eat these treats?
Yes, they sure can. All the ingredients are safe for human consumption. They’re great cookies for those watching their sugar intake. Give one a try, and you may enjoy it.
More Homemade Dog Treats
Do you want to make more tasty treats for your dog? Try these recipes:
- Anise Dog Treats
- Apple Carrot Dog Treats
- Beet Dog Treats
- Carob Peanut Butter Candy for Dogs
- Easter Dog Treats
- Goat Milk Dog Treats
- Granola for Dogs
- Low Fat Dog Treats
- Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies for Dogs
Find lots of easy recipes for dog treats and the best holiday dog treat recipes right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Valentine’s Day Dog Treats
Ingredients
Treats
- ½ cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1 Egg
- ¼ cup Peanut Butter
- 1 tablespoon Melted Coconut Oil
- 3 cups Oat Flour
Icing
- 2 teaspoons Beet Powder or Natural Coloring Liquid (see notes below)
- 2 teaspoons Water
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 2 tablespoons Cornstarch or Arrowroot Powder or Tapioca Starch plus more if needed
Instructions
Treats
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Combine all wet ingredients in a bowl with a mixer or by hand.
- Add the dry ingredients and combine well.
- Roll the dough out onto a flat surface until about ½ inch thick. Using a heart shaped cookie cutter, cut out as many shapes as possible. Re-roll as necessary until all the dough is used up.
- Place the cutouts on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Transfer the treats to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
Icing
- Combine beet powder and water in a small bowl. Use two teaspoons of this mixture for the color. You may need to adjust your amount of water according to the desired thickness of the icing.
- Place honey, 2 teaspoons of coloring mixture, and 2 tablespoons of thickener (cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or tapioca starch) in a separate small bowl.
- Stir until combined and smooth. You may need to add up to another tablespoon of the thickener to the mixture to get the consistency you need for spreading it. It may seem runny but it will harden quickly.
- Use a spoon or spatula to spread the icing on the cookies.
- Store the treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Amount
Treats should make up no more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily calories. If you are unsure of the right portion size, consult your veterinarian.
If your dog has never had one or more of these ingredients, start with a small piece to check for allergies or sensitivities.
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