A Cozy Holiday Moment to Share With Your Pup
Holiday baking fills the home with warm smells, soft lights, and happy memories. It’s even sweeter when your dog gets a safe treat of their own. These Biscuits for Dogs bring that same cozy magic with festive snowflake shapes, xylitol-free peanut butter, gentle oats, and a touch of applesauce for natural sweetness. They bake up crunchy, cute, and perfect for gifting to fellow dog-loving friends. Your pup gets the joy of a holiday cookie, and you get the fun of making something homemade, healthy, and memory-filled.
Table of Contents
Why Make These Biscuits for Dogs
Festive Snowflake Fun
Snowflake cookie cutters turn a simple dough into a holiday showstopper.
Wholesome Ingredients
Whole wheat flour or oat flour, rolled oats, and applesauce add fiber and texture.
Dog-Safe Flavor
Natural, unsalted, xylitol-free peanut butter creates a yummy scent and flavor dogs adore.
Easy Holiday Baking
The dough mixes fast, rolls smoothly, and holds crisp edges. These Biscuits for Dogs strike a happy balance between crunch and chew, making them great for gifting or daily treat time.
Ingredients & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Whole wheat flour or oat flour | 1 ½ cups |
| Rolled oats | ½ cup |
| Peanut butter (xylitol-free, unsalted) | ½ cup |
| Unsweetened applesauce | ¼ cup |
| Egg | 1 |
| Ground cinnamon (optional) | ½ tsp |
| Water | 2–3 tbsp as needed |
| Helpful Swaps: | |
| • Gluten-friendly: Use certified gluten-free oat flour | |
| • Aroma boost: ½ tsp alcohol-free vanilla | |
| • Extra crunch: 1–2 tbsp shredded carrot or unsweetened coconut | |
| • No applesauce: Use mashed ripe banana |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 24–30 biscuits
Diet: Low Salt
Method: Baking
- Preheat & prep
Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat. - Dry mix
In a bowl, whisk flour, oats, and cinnamon. - Wet mix
In another bowl, blend peanut butter, applesauce, and egg until smooth. - Combine
Mix wet and dry ingredients. Add 2–3 tbsp water until a soft dough forms. - Roll
Roll the dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface. - Cut
Stamp with snowflake cutters and place on the tray. - Bake
Bake 18–22 minutes, rotating halfway, until golden and firm. - Optional extra crunch
Turn the oven off and let biscuits dry inside for 1 hour with the door slightly open. - Cool
Cool fully before storing or serving.
Storage & Serving Guidelines
Room Temperature:
Store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.
Freezer:
Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw a few minutes before serving.
Gifting:
Layer biscuits in parchment and add a simple ingredient card.
Portion Guide by Dog Weight
| Dog Weight | Portion | Max per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Under 15 lbs | ½–1 small biscuit | 1 |
| 15–40 lbs | 1 biscuit | 1 |
| Over 40 lbs | 1–2 biscuits | 2 |
| Always adjust treats based on your dog’s activity and total calories. When in doubt, talk with your veterinarian (trusted sources: AKC, PetMD). |
Health Benefits
• Whole wheat/oat flour: Adds fiber for healthy digestion
• Rolled oats: Gentle on sensitive tummies
• Peanut butter: Healthy fats and protein (must be xylitol-free)
• Applesauce: Natural moisture with light sweetness
• Egg: Helps bind the dough and adds nutrition
• Cinnamon: Optional aroma (check with your vet; avoid nutmeg)
Learn more about safe ingredients in our Healthy Ingredients category.
Troubleshooting Your Biscuits for Dogs
• Crumbly dough: Add 1 tsp water at a time
• Sticky dough: Add a little flour or chill 10 minutes
• Too soft after baking: Return to the oven for 3–5 minutes
• Uneven browning: Check thickness and rotate the pan halfway
Festive Snowflake Decorations (Dog-Safe)
• Coconut snow: Dust with unsweetened shredded coconut
• Yogurt drizzle: Mix plain yogurt with a pinch of cornstarch
• Coconut flour dusting: Light, frosty look without sugar
Keep decorations light so the Biscuits for Dogs stay wholesome.
Holiday Gifting Ideas
These biscuits pack beautifully in cookie tins, kraft boxes, or small parchment bags. Add:
• A handwritten ingredient card
• A small bag of bite-size snowflakes
• A mini jar of yogurt drizzle (keep chilled)
Variations
• Oat-only: Use oat flour for wheat-free snowflakes
• Gingerbread vibe: Add ¼ tsp ginger
• Banana snowflakes: Replace applesauce with banana
Training & Enrichment Uses
Break larger biscuits into pea-size bits for training. Crumble small pieces into a snuffle mat for fun foraging. Tuck a snowflake into a puzzle toy to slow your pup down.
Christmas Snowflake Peanut Butter Treats
Make festive Biscuits for Dogs with these Christmas Snowflake Peanut Butter Treats. Simple, healthy, and perfect for gifting. Dog-safe, crunchy, and delicious.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Whole wheat flour or oat flour | 1 ½ cups |
| Rolled oats | ½ cup |
| Peanut butter (xylitol-free, unsalted) | ½ cup |
| Unsweetened applesauce | ¼ cup |
| Egg | 1 |
| Ground cinnamon (optional) | ½ tsp |
| Water | 2–3 tbsp as needed |
| Helpful Swaps: | |
| • Gluten-friendly: Use certified gluten-free oat flour | |
| • Aroma boost: ½ tsp alcohol-free vanilla | |
| • Extra crunch: 1–2 tbsp shredded carrot or unsweetened coconut | |
| • No applesauce: Use mashed ripe banana |
Instructions
Step-by-Step Instructions
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 24–30 biscuits
Diet: Low Salt
Method: Baking
-
Preheat & prep
Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat. -
Dry mix
In a bowl, whisk flour, oats, and cinnamon. -
Wet mix
In another bowl, blend peanut butter, applesauce, and egg until smooth. -
Combine
Mix wet and dry ingredients. Add 2–3 tbsp water until a soft dough forms. -
Roll
Roll the dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface. -
Cut
Stamp with snowflake cutters and place on the tray. -
Bake
Bake 18–22 minutes, rotating halfway, until golden and firm. -
Optional extra crunch
Turn the oven off and let biscuits dry inside for 1 hour with the door slightly open. -
Cool
Cool fully before storing or serving.
FAQs
1. Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes. Chill up to 48 hours or freeze up to 2 months.
2. Is cinnamon safe for dogs?
A tiny pinch is usually fine, but skip it if your dog is sensitive. Never use nutmeg.
3. Can I use almond butter?
Stick with peanut butter. Other nut butters can be too rich and harder to digest.
4. How thick should I roll the dough?
¼ inch works best for crisp but sturdy biscuits.
5. How many biscuits can my dog have?
Start with one small biscuit and adjust based on size, calories, and activity.
6. How do I keep the snowflake points from breaking?
Chill cut cookies on the tray for 5 minutes before baking.
Final Takeaway
Holiday baking becomes extra special when your dog gets a treat made with love. These Christmas Snowflake Peanut Butter Biscuits for Dogs bring warmth, fun, and delicious crunch to every festive moment.