This cute squirrel treat recipe was taken from Dog Treat Kitchen – I modified it a bit from the original recipe.  I loved the look of the cookie, but wanted to make the treat grain free, and as organic as possible.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup organic buckwheat flour (I used Arrowhead Mills brand)
• 1 cup organic almond flour
• 2 Tbsp organic ground flax
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 very ripe medium organic banana
• 2 Tbsp organic beef broth (I make my own – but be sure if you purchase to check that there is no form of onion listed in the ingredients!!)
• 1 Tbsp organic safflower or sunflower oil

Topping Ingredients: 

• 1 Tbsp water
• 1 tsp organic honey
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped organic raw sunflower seeds

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the buckwheat flour, almond flour, flax and cinnamon.
3. In a small bowl, thoroughly mash the banana, then stir in the beef broth and oil until combined.
4. Pour the banana mixture into the flour mixture.
5. Stir together until you reach a coarse crumby texture.
6. Knead the dough with your hand, in the bowl, until it forms a dough ball.
7. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper, or dust it with buckwheat flour so the dough will not stick.
8. Roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness, between two sheets of parchment paper (or dust top of  dough with flour).
9. Transfer cut outs to baking sheet.
10. Bake for 10 minutes.
11. Turn off the oven, and leave the treats inside while the oven cools.
12. Once completely cooled, apply the glaze and sunflower seed topping.

Topping Instructions:

1. In a microwave safe bowl, combine the water and honey.
2. Microwave on high for 5 to 10 seconds.
3. Stir together until the honey is completely dissolved.
4. Using a pastry brush, brush the honey glaze on the tail of the squirrel.
5. Press the tail into the finely chopped nuts.
6. Set aside,  and let the glaze dry before serving to your dog.

These treats will stay fresh  in the fridge for up to one month, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Yield – Depending on the cookie cutter(s) you use, you’ll be able to get about 9, 1/2 inch thick squirrels. Using the squirrel cookie cutter I had, I got 9 squirrels, and used an acorn cookie cutter for the smaller, left over dough pieces.  The yield will vary, depending on the size of dog treat cookie cutter(s) you use and how thick you roll the dough.

TIPS:  

• Rolling dog treat dough is so easy with parchment paper.   If you don’t have it, you can to dust your work surface and rolling pin with buckwheat flour to keep it from sticking. You can line your baking sheets with parchment paper  – or spray your baking sheet with non-stick spray before placing the cut outs onto it.
• For some dough mixtures such as this one  that may be a bit stickier, try filling a shallow dish or bowl with flour and dip the cutter into it before each cut. Then very gently wiggle the cutter back and forth to separate it from the rest of the dough.

I hope your pooch enjoys this treat as much as Cello has!