The Buckeye Five: 52 Cookies

I've talked before about different members of my family and how they have handled my Cookie Journey this year. Jenna always keeps an open mind and has an adventurous set of taste buds. Owen is middle-of-the road. And Evan just won't eat anything unless it's chocolate chip, plain and simple. Kevin has happily obliged my weekly recipe testing and has offered the occasional, "You should make these again." The typical man of few words...if I hear nothing positive, it's probably because he has nothing positive to say.

It occurred to me, however, that there was one member of our family that has truly been left out so far. I wonder if this family member has smelled the cookies baking and thought to himself, "Boy, what I wouldn't give for one of those. (sigh)"

So, this week's cookie recipe is dedicated to Oscar our loyal and faithful Miniature Schnauzer. Oscar was with Kevin and me long before any of our babies came along. And, sadly, with each bundle of joy that joined our family, Oscar's rank in the family dropped. I oftentimes feel guilty about that, especially now that he is well into his geriatric years. Perhaps making these dog cookies for him will make up for it just a bit. And let me tell you...he tears into these little biscuits like there's no tomorrow! I think he forgave me already!

This recipe came from a website call bullwrinkle. I did a Google search to find a dog biscuit recipe and I decided to settle on this one because of the simple list of ingredients. Owen helped me out in the kitchen this time and I let him really take over the reigns when it came to rolling out the dough and using the small cookie cutter. I am generally quite picky about the size and shape of my cookies, but that's because I am serving them to people. No offense Oscar, but I figure you don't give a flying fig what shape or size your little treat is just as long as you get the darn thing! I know for a fact that Owen had a very fun time working the dough and cutting out the shapes and transferring them to the cookie sheet.

Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits
Here's What You'll Need:
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
3 Tablespoon creamy peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour, plus more for rolling out
1/2 cup corn meal
1/2 cup oats

Here's What You Do:
Combine the water, oil, vanilla and eggs. Combine the dry ingredients and sift together.

Owen adds the corn meal like a pro!

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture on low speed of a mixer. Add the peanut butter and mix well.

At this point, I felt like the dough was still too wet to work with so I added more flour one tablespoon at a time until it got to a point where the dough held together and wasn't tacky to the touch.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll out with a rolling pin to about 1/4 inch thickness.

Cut into whatever shapes you desire. I recommend making them small so your pooch doesn't get fat from eating too many of these!

I had hoped to find a dog bone shaped cookie cutter but never found one. I know they are out there. Place the "cookies" on a cookie sheet. You can place them fairly close together since these don't rise or spread like a regular cookie that might have baking powder and/or baking soda.

Bake for 20 minutes in a 400 degree oven. When time is up, turn off the oven but leave the dog treats in there until completely cooled so they can get crisp and harden. Store in an airtight container. The quantity you get depends on the size of cutter you use.