Homemade Dog Treats

I made these for Daphne, Roz, and a few friends' pups. They turned out great and the recipe made a LOT of treats. Once you make the dough, you can use any cookie cutter, I used a star shape and the recipe I found had a cute dog bone shape. All ingredients are safe, but be careful - they look just like regular "human" cookies!

Festive Cookie Bones
These cookies will darken a little more a sthey dry in the oven, so turn the oven off as soon as they are golden
Prep: 30 min - Bake: 25 min - Stand: 2 hr.

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup ground peanuts
1/4 cup sesame seeds
2 T toasted wheat germ
3/4 cup butter
1 egg
2 to 3 T water
1 oz flavored candy coating (optional)
1/2 tsp shortening (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 325 F. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together flours, brown sugar, peanuts, sesame seeds, and wheat germ.
2. Using a pastry blender (I used my hands), cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of the mixture. Combine egg and 2 tablespoons of the water; stir into flour ixture. If necessary, add enough remaining water to make dough cling together.
3. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead by olding and gently pressing dough for four to six strokes or until it holds together. Roll dough 1/4 inch thick. Using a cookie cutter, cut out dough.
4. Place cutouts 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven about 25 minutes or until golden. Turn oven off; let cookies dry in oven 2 hours. Remove from cookie sheet.
5. If desired, in a saucepan, melt candy coating and shortening over low heat, stirring constantly. Cool slightly. Pour into a resealable plastic bag. Seal bag; cut a small hole from corner. Pipe a design or write dog's name on cookies. Let dry. Wrap individually in clear plastic wrap. Makes 10 large (5 in.) or 20 medium (3 in.) cookies.

To store: place cookies in layers separated by waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.