Apple Crisp Dog Biscuits

Autumn is in the Air

I love the fall months. I used to live back east where the trees would change color, and the air would smell fresh and clean. Some days would still feel warm like summer, but by the end of September the days would cool down with that special crispness that only autumn brings.

This crispy biscuit recipe is perfect for this time of year! My dogs recognize the smell of these treats as soon as they start to bake, and my boys know they are going o get something tasty! As a matter of fact, I like to make these cookies and give them to my friends with dogs as hostess gifts. It's much more original than bringing yet another bottle of wine, and most people appreciate the fact that you thought of their dog.

Recipe: Apple Crisp Dog Biscuits

These biscuits can be kept frozen for up to three months, or kept in an airtight container for two weeks.

INGREDIENTS:

• ¾ cups beef broth
• 1/3 cup sunflower seeds, shelled
• 1 cup dark rye flour
• 1 ¾ cups whole wheat flour
• ½ cup barley flakes
• ½ cup rolled oats
• ½ cup buckwheat flour
• 1 cup dried apples, chopped
• ½ cup apples, peeled, seeded and chopped small
• 2 tablespoons plain wheat germ
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons safflower oil
• 2 tablespoons dark molasses

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°
2. Spray cookie sheet with non-stick spray.
3. Separate the egg yolk from the egg white, and set aside in two bowls.
4. In a blender or food processor, combine beef broth, oil, egg yolk and molasses until mixed very well.
5. In a large mixing bowl, add all of your dry ingredients.
6. Now, slowly add the liquid. This will form sticky dough. Make sure you flour both your hands and your cutting board.
7. Roll out your dough to ¼ thickness and cut into any shape you like. I use my small dog bone cookie cutter, but feel free to use any shape you like.

Now, here is the second part that will make your biscuits brown and crunchy.

1. Bake for 20 minutes at 375°.
2. Remove the biscuits from oven, and use a pastry brush to paint the tops with your egg whites. This will make them shiny and give them a nice golden color.
3. After you brush the biscuit tops, return them to the oven to bake for another ten minutes.
4. Very important: When the biscuits are brown, turn the oven down to 200°, and leave them in the oven for two hours.
5. Then and only then, turn the oven off. Leave the biscuits in the oven as long as you can to dry them out further. This will make them hard, and it will also give them a more intense flavor. Chewing very hard biscuits helps keep your dog's teeth clean.
6. I like to leave the biscuits in the oven overnight. The more moisture you take out of the biscuits, the longer they will keep.
7. Be sure to let the biscuits cool at least eight hours before storing.

Yields 30 biscuits.

This biscuit has great fiber and flavor, and is a healthy treat for your dog.

More Tips from Wendy

• How to Crate Train Your New Dog
• How to Stop Your Dog from Barking