6 Christmas Homemade Dog Treat Recipes

If your furry friend has been extra good this year, why not pull out some holiday dog treat recipes? As you gather with your loved ones to indulge in figgy pudding, roast chestnuts over the open fire, and decorate sugar cookies, it only makes sense that you should include your beloved pup too. After all, dogs are more than pets — they’re family. 

Of course, people treats and dog treats are not the same, so it’s time to get crafty in the kitchen. Besides making your dog the jolliest pooch on the block, these treats make fantastic gifts for the dog owners in your life. Pack some Christmas homemade dog treats in a tin, tie a bow, and you’re good to go! Just make sure you check about any allergies beforehand.

Without further adieu, here are 6 easy-breezy recipes that are sure to make any dog merry this holiday season.

1. No-Bake Pumpkin Balls

This is one of the best holiday dog treat recipes if you're in a rush, as these treats don’t require any baking. Many dogs love the taste of pumpkin, and it’s a great source of fiber. Peanut butter is another popular pup favorite. Simply mix the following ingredients together, roll the mixture into balls, and chill them in the fridge for an hour. Store the finished Christmas homemade dog treats in an airtight container.

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup xylitol-free peanut butter
• 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tsp cinnamon

2. Gingerbread Pups

A fun take on the classic gingerbread cookie, these festive pup-approved cookies can be made in any shape you choose, but we highly recommend using a dog-shaped cookie cutter!

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 2 Tbsp fresh ginger
• 6 cups all-purpose flour

Wet Ingredients:

• 4 Tbsp honey
• 1 cup molasses
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup water

Directions:

To make these Christmas homemade dog treats, start by mixing the wet ingredients in one bowl and the dry ingredients in another. Combine both mixtures and mix them thoroughly to form a dough. Separate the dough into four equal sections, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate them for 5 hours. 

Now, roll the dough to your desired thickness, and use your cookie cutter to create shapes. Place the raw cookies on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, and bake them in the oven at 350° F for 20-25 minutes.

3. Frosty’s Nose Cookies

Many dogs adore carrots! If yours is one of them, they’re sure to enjoy munching on these Christmas homemade dog treats. With just three ingredients, this is one of the easiest holiday dog treat recipes that requires baking.

Ingredients:

• 24 oz natural carrot baby food
• 2 ½ cups flour
• 2 eggs

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients together to form your dough. Roll the dough to your desired thickness, and then use a cookie cutter to cut your desired shapes. Bake them at 350° F for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

4. Rudolph’s Nose Cookies

Here we have another holiday character’s nose-themed treat! These pup-friendly cookies get their name from Rudolph’s bright, red nose. Adding beet powder to these homemade Christmas dog treats gives them a beautiful red hue that’s just perfect for the holiday season. While your dog may not appreciate the look as much as we do, they really pop as presents for pup parents!

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup xylitol-free peanut butter 
• 1 1/3 cups brown rice flour
• 1 ripe banana 
• 1 egg
• 3 Tbsp honey
• 1/4 cup beet powder

Directions: 

Mix all ingredients except the beet powder to form a dough. Once the dough is formed, add the beet powder bit by bit and knead it by hand until the desired color is reached. Cut the dough into holiday shapes, and refrigerate them for 15-20 minutes. Bake them at 350° F for 10-15 minutes.

5. Thanksgiving Leftovers

These savory Christmas homemade dog treats are a great way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers. Of course, it’s also one of the best holiday dog treat recipes for Thanksgiving too!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shredded, cooked turkey
• 1 cup dried, unsweetened cranberries
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 ½ cups whole wheat flour
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp baking powder

Directions:

Combine the flour and baking powder in a bowl. Stir in the cranberries and turkey, and then mix in the olive oil, egg, and chicken broth. Mix everything together until it forms a dough. Now, simply form the dough into cookie patties or cut them into shapes. Bake them at 350° F for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

6. Tater Treats

These homemade Christmas dog treats are fantastic for the holiday season because they’re made with ingredients you’ll probably already have handy. They’re super easy to make, too, so you can put them together while you’re prepping the feast for your human family members.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mashed potato (plain, no skin)
• 1 shredded carrot
• 1 egg yolk

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together. Form them into balls (this recipe should make approximately 24 balls). Place the balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake them at 400° F for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.

Pro Tip: Try substituting the potato for sweet potato!

Find the Perfect Present at Tworgis

We hope these Christmas homemade dog treats make your dog feel loved and appreciated this holiday season! When you’re done checking out these holiday dog treat recipes, why not check some more names off your nice list? 

We proudly offer a huge variety of adorable, high-quality dog-themed gifts for humans, as well as some amazing accessories for dogs. From wallets and totes to unique accessories that would make wonderful stocking stuffers, our functional and fashionable products are sure to delight the dog-obsessed person in your life. Shop around, and make this year’s celebration one to remember!