- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Lots of dog parents know the temptation of sharing a festive platter of cookies with their pup—and also that it’s a bad idea, since most human cookies, including gingerbread, pose a risk.
What’s the trouble with gingerbread? Gingerbread’s key spices, like nutmeg and cloves, contain eugenol, which can upset a dog’s stomach and even harm their liver. You might also see decorations that can be dangerous, like candy with xylitol or chocolate.
But that doesn’t mean your pup is out of luck! This dog-friendly gingerbread treat recipe has all the wonderful aroma of real gingerbread, thanks to our dog-safe blend of spices and a hint of rich molasses. It’s perfect for the holidays—or any time you want to share some warm winter cheer. Our test pup gave it full marks!
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Gingerbread Cookies for Dogs
We used a blend of healthy whole wheat and oat flour in our recipe, but you can use any type of flour that works for your dog’s needs, or whatever you have on hand.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 1 Tray 1x
- Category: Holiday Treats
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
- 1 ½ cups oat flour (made from rolled oats)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 3/4 cup applesauce
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- OPTIONAL: carob chips for gingerbread eyes and buttons
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º.
- Combine the flours, baking powder, and spices in a bowl and mix to combine.
- Add the molasses and applesauce and mix to combine.
- Add the egg, vanilla, and coconut oil and mix to combine, adding more flour if necessary.
- Roll out gingerbread and cut into gingerbread men or your choice of shapes.
- Bake at 350º for 20-25 minutes or until just starting to get golden around the edges for a soft cookie, or until crunchy for longer shelf life.
Notes
Looking for something even more festive? Try this dog-safe gingerbread house recipe!
