Paw Print Pumpkin Biscuits

Today’s pumpkin treat was provided by Kathryn Levy Feldman. As co-author of The Culinary Canine, Levy Feldman knows a great dog-friendly recipe when she sees one, which is why these canine goodies created by Los Angeles-based Roberta Deen of Capers Catering, are among her favorites.

“I like this recipe because pumpkin is good for dogs,” Levy Feldman says. “It’s a secret ingredient for soothing their tummies — works great on diarrhea — and my dogs love it. The recipe is a bit labor intensive, but the cookies look and smell delicious. Plus, what says holiday more than pumpkin, cinnamon and apples?”

Paw Print Pumpkin Biscuits

Ingredients
1 cup plain, canned pumpkin puree
1 cup peeled, 1/4-inch diced and lightly blanched fresh pumpkin
1/2 cup roasted pumpkin seeds, coarsely chopped
1 cup quick-cooking oats
2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup canola oil

1. Preheat oven to 325°.

2. Mix ingredients in a large bowl, while slowly adding water to achieve a chocolate chip cookie-like consistency.

3. Drop teaspoonfuls (for petite puppies) or tablespoonfuls (for big guys) of dough onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Using a fork, flatten the dough into rounds and make a crosshatch pattern on the surface.

4. Bake 10 minutes. Rotate the cookie sheet and bake another 5-10 minutes (less time is needed for the teaspoon drops), until the cookies are golden and firm.

5. Turn the oven off, open the door and allow the treats to cool completely.

Note: Keep in mind that if you feed your pet anything that strays from his regular diet — especially in large quantities — it may cause gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting and diarrhea. If your pet has a pre-existing medical condition or if he’s on a hypoallergenic diet, you should not feed him any treats or new foods until you have discussed it with your veterinarian.