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Have you ever baked with coconut flour? I have been wanting to try coconut flour as a substitute for the wheat flour I usually use. So, I used it in these homemade dog treats for Easter. And I am delighted to say, it is a great alternative!
Coconut flour is intriguing, because it is actually considered to be a superfood. Therefore, today I want to talk to you about this amazing alternative flour. It will make your dog treats super yummy and give them an additional nutrient value.
The smell of this flour alone, makes you think you are smelling vanilla cake batter. So, when your homemade dog treats for Easter are baking, your family will think it is for them.
Coconut is Beneficial in Homemade Dog Treats for Easter
According to Chew Chew Treats, coconut flour is rich in dietary fiber. In addition, it is low in sugar and carbohydrates; and high in protein and healthy fats. Therefore, making it good for dogs with diabetes or high cholesterol. Plus, coconut flour is rich in fiber and electrolytes.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) says that the fruit itself has anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, that makes it a good supplement for dogs affected by arthritis, hotspots, or flea allergies. In addition, it is accredited with improving the immune system which helps fight off influenza and other infections.
Coconut has not been proven to cure any disease. However, there are studies that support its anti-viral properties. Furthermore, the albumin found in coconut aids in the formation of red blood cells. And, coconut can improve nutrient absorption.
The oil found in coconut is very beneficial for a dog’s skin and coat. Therefore, it can help clear up eczema and dry, flaky and itchy skin. In addition, it can promote a soft, glossy coat.
Most of all, one of my favorite benefits is that coconut flour helps to minimize bad dog breath.
These homemade dog treats for Easter contain coconut flakes as a topper for the cookies. Yes, the meaty, fleshy part of a coconut is safe for dogs to eat. So, that includes the coconut flakes.
However, there is a downside to coconut flakes. They contain medium chain triglycerides. These are actually good fats, but they can cause bloating and gastrointestinal upset. These homemade dog treats for Easter contain very little of the coconut flakes. But, make sure to give in moderation.
Coconut Peanut Butter Easter Cookies
Although these treats were made at Easter, the recipe is created for doggos to enjoy anytime of year. Use a different holiday cookie cutter and you have an “any holiday” treat for your fur baby. Better yet, use any cookie cutter and you have an “all of the time” treat.
Cookie Ingredients:
- all-purpose flour
- coconut flour
- oats
- baking powder
- boiling water
- creamy peanut butter
- unsweetened applesauce (you can use an egg instead of applesauce if you’d rather.
Icing Ingredients:
- honey
- creamy peanut butter
- cinnamon
- coconut oil
- honey
- cinnamon
Topper Ingredients:
- food coloring
- coconut flakes
Let’s Get To Baking
Firstly, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Next, mix all of the ingredients together in a medium bowl until well blended.
Then, cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rest for five minutes allowing the oats to expand.
Continue by flouring your hands and kneading the dough to a playdough like consistency.
In addition, add more flour if the batter is too sticky or add a few drops of water if it is too dry.
Then, make a ball out of the dough.
After that, place the dough ball on a floured cutting board or on floured parchment paper on the counter.
Flour a rolling pin and your hands.
Roll the dough out to ¼ inch thickness.
Cut out desired cookie shapes. (It is Easter, so I used two egg shape cookie cutters I found at Walmart.)
Place the cut out shapes on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until slightly brown.
Allow the cookies to thoroughly cool before decorating with peanut butter icing.
Mix all of the ingredients for the icing together in a small bowl until well blended.
In addition, to give some of them color, I added food coloring dyed coconut flakes as a topper.
Last but not least, share the treats with your fur baby. Bella absolutely loves these treats. Edward does too, but out of the probably 25 photos I took of him, every single one was blurry.
Do you have a favorite Easter recipe you make for your doggo? We would would love to hear about it in the comments below.
You might enjoy these two Easter posts:
If you would like to save this post with recipe, you can pin one of the images below to Pinterest. You also have the option of printing this recipe below.
Coconut Peanut Butter Easter Cookies
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup coconut flour
- 1 cup oats
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ceylon cinnamon
- 1 cup boiling water
- ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (can use 1 egg instead of applesauce)
Icing
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tsp honey
- 1 tsp ceylon cinnamon
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
Topper
- food coloring dyed coconut flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until well blended.
- Cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rest for 5 minutes allowing the oats to expand.
- Flour hands and knead the dough to a playdoh like consistency.
- Add more flour if the batter is too sticky or liquidy; add a few drops of water if it is too dry.
- Make a ball out of the dough.
- Place on a floured cutting board or on floured parchment paper on the counter.
- Four a rolling pin and your hands.
- Roll the dough out to ¼ inch thickness.
- Cut out desired cookie shapes (it was Easter, so I used 2 egg shape cookie cutters I found at Walmart)
- Place the cut out shapes on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
- Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until slightly brown.
- Allow to thoroughly cool and decorate with peanut butter icing.
- To give them some color, add food coloring dyed coconut flakes as a topper.
- Share with your fur babies.
Notes
- When using peanut butter in dog treats always check to make sure it doesn’t contain xylitol. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that a few brands use and it can be fatal to dogs.
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