gone to the dogs

Despite my best attempts to ply him with organic dog treats or designer biscuits, Henry is unwaveringly loyal to his milkbones.  So attempting to make homemade dog treats was a bit of a gamble.  I chose a recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart. It's very simple and the wheat germ and brewer's yeast (NOT regular yeast!) make the treats very nutritious as well.

Here's what you need:
•2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
•1/2 cup wheat germ
•1/2 cup brewer's yeast (sometimes sold as "nutritional yeast")
•2 teaspoons salt
•3 tablespoons canola oil
•1 1/2 cups chicken stock

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.Combine flour, wheat germ, brewer's yeast, and salt in a large bowl.

Place canola oil in a larger bowl. Add flour mixture to oil in 3 additions, alternating with 1 cup stock; mix until combined.

Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 2 minutes (dough will be sticky). Roll out to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out rounds using a 2-inch fluted cutter (or champagne flute!)

Transfer to baking sheets.

Freeze for 15 minutes. Bake for 20 minutes, rotating sheets and brushing with remaining 1/2 cup chicken stock halfway through. Martha says brush "lightly", I say soak 'em in chickeny goodness. Turn oven off, and let stand in oven for 40 minutes.

Martha suggests making indentations with your thumb and finges to make paw imprints before baking but I found the imprints didn't take. After I cut the two-dozen circles I used the extra to make pretzel shapes. Next time I'd do the whole batch as pretzels. Easier for Henry to handle and they look cute!
 
Now the test...

SUCCESS!

 The treats will keep for up to a month in a sealed container.

Here's a little mood music... Enjoy!