Parsley Pucker-Up's
Homemade Dog Treats

These homemade dog treats with parsley are perfect if your dog offers you kisses accompanied with bad dog breath. Keep them around for in between brushing and visits to the dog dentist.

We prefer flat leaf or Italian parsley for this dog cookie recipe. The flat leaf has a stronger and sweeter flavor than the curly leaf parsley, so is more effective at freshening your dog's kisses.

Parsley is also great for dog treat recipes because it can aid digestion and is high in Vitamin A & C.

Parsley Pucker-Ups

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup wheat bran
• 1/8 cup dried parsley flakes
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven to 375° F
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, wheat bran, and parsley.
3. In a separate small bowl, lightly beat the egg.
4. Stir the water and applesauce into the beaten egg.
5. Make a well in the flour mixture and pour in the egg mixture.
6. Stir until combined.
7. Lightly spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
8. Using a 1 inch cookie scooper, scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake for 20 minutes.
10. Turn off the oven and let the cookies cool in the oven for 2 hours.

Storing - These parsley pucker-ups will stay fresh in the refrigerator for approximately 3 weeks. It will keep in the freezer for at least 4 months.

Yield - Using a 1 inch cookie scooper you will yield 24 homemade dog treats.

Tips & Techniques

• Wheat Bran - You can also use wheat germ in place of the wheat bran. If your dog is sensitive to wheat, replace with ground flax seeds.
  
  
• Sticky Dough - The dough is very sticky. Lightly wet your hands while working with the dough to prevent it from sticking.
  
  
• Customize the Look & Texture - You can leave this cookie in a ball or you can dip the bottom of a drinking glass in water and flatten each ball to form a cookie shape. Another way to customize the look is to sprinkle dried parsley on the top of each cookie before it is baked. If your dog prefers a softer cookie, take them out to cool after the 20 minutes. They will have a slightly soft center.
  
  
• Fresh or Dried - If you prefer to use fresh parsley, you can. Substitute fresh for dry on a 3 to 1 ratio. For example, this recipe would use 6 tablespoons of fresh parsley instead of the 2 tablespoons of dried. If using fresh herbs, you would stir the minced parsley into the applesauce mixture before combining with the dry ingredients.

Whether your dog wants to admit it or not, he may need one of these homemade dog treats to freshen his breath. So, don't make him ask, instead bake a batch and welcome those sweet dog kisses of appreciation.