Cheesy Biscuit Treats for the Whole Family!

cibo per cani/dog food

I have been ?talking? to a new guy for a little while. The poor guy has been so patient, as I am not the easiest to get to know. I realize I am too independent for my own good, all the while holding up a great big wall around me. Hey, at least I can admit it?isn?t that the first step?

We haven?t put a label on our friendship, which is fine by me. I figure, he doesn?t need me around all the time?.he has his dog. Shelby is the sweetest, most mild mannered, friendliest pit bull I have ever come across. As if this wasn?t cool enough, come to find out Shelby loves me?.loves me. So, if I want?I ? am ? in! ha!! ha!!

To show my appreciation for Shelby?s doorway greetings, enthusiastic tail wagging (that makes her butt wiggle ? very cute), and slobbery arm licks, I thought I would bake her something. I saw these Cheesy Dog Biscuit Treats on Gourmet Sleuth and wanted a reason to use my dog bone cookie cutter. Who knew dog biscuits were so easy to make!? I printed out three recipes and can?t wait to try them all. But, I baked the cheesy treats this go around.

The recipe does not have one artificial ingredient in these. My last tray got a little too crispy after I missed the timer and I decided to try a bone. Not bad! They taste like a wheat cracker. With just a change of the cut design, I figure that this recipe is multi-purpose. Biscuit for the pooch, crackers/bread sticks for the family. Cool!

I can't wait to hear about Shelby's reaction. I will let you know when I hear. ;)

Cheesy Dog Biscuit Treats
A recipe from Gourmet Sleuth

1 cup rolled oats (like Quaker)
1/3 cup margarine
1 cup boiling water
¾ cup cornmeal
1 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons chicken or beef flavored instant bouillon
½ cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 egg, beaten
2 - 3 cups whole wheat flour.

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Grease/line cookie sheets. In large bowl, combine rolled oats, margarine and boiling water; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in cornmeal, sugar, bouillon, milk, cheese and egg; mix well. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add flour 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition to form a stiff dough.

On floured surface, knead in remaining flour until dough is smooth and no longer sticky, 3 to 4 minutes. Roll or pat out dough to ½ inch thickness, cut with bone shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 325 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes on until golden brown. Cool completely. Store loosely covered. Makes 3 ½ dozen large dog biscuits or 8 dozen small dog biscuits.

Storing Dog Treats:
In general you should store dog treats the same way you would homemade people cookies. That being said, there are two main variables that determine storage time - the amount and type of fat in the recipe and your local weather conditions. If your recipe uses fats such as butter, or meat bits or juices then it will be more prone to rancidity than a recipe that uses some vegetable oil or shortening. Your treats may mold or spoil much faster in humid or very hot climates. Refrigeration and Freezing - Refrigeration will prolong the life of more fragile dog treats. Make sure to store in a tightly sealed container or zip lock bag. You can also freeze most treats in zip lock freezer bags. Allow to thaw completely before use.

* A couple of things I did differently: (1.) I used butter instead of margarine. (2.) I read the recipe wrong and baked the biscuits in a 375 degree oven for 35 minutes. It seemed to work fine. (3.) I dissolved the bouillon in the water and didn?t measure it out. (4.) I made this in the food processor, not a mixer.