Liz Mugavero's Strawberry Bites for Dogs

Please welcome our guest today, Liz Mugavero!


Hello again! What a thrill to be back in the Mystery Lover’s Kitchen talking about my favorite subject - treats for my four-legged friends. 

I love trying new things for the pups (and kitties, although they’re harder to please). My dogs - well, one of them at least - will eat pretty much anything I offer. So I can’t really go by her opinion on a new recipe. It’s when the other two dogs eat it that I know it stands a chance of being a hit. 

Such was the case with the strawberry bites. With spring in the air and summer berries right around the corner, I wanted to find something the dogs could enjoy while I’m drinking a natural, organic berry smoothie on the deck. Strawberry bites are a simple drop cookie that are easy to make and dogs love the fruity flavor. And yes - all three of the dogs ate these, so I know it’s a true hit. 

I’m very lucky to have a gourmet pet food store, The Big Biscuit, that I work with on treats. I can ask for treats of any flavor, shape, texture, you name it, and they’ll give me something yummy and healthy to try. Since I like to go with organic ingredients, I usually deviate from the basic recipes a bit and hunt around for my own flours and such. I love coconut flour for dog treats. Since going wheat and gluten-free myself, I’ve moved away from using the inexpensive, less healthy flours for my animals. The health benefits for them are just as positive.

I also like to buy local ingredients whenever possible. The honey in this recipe is even better if it’s local and organic. Same with your berries. Your babies will thank you for taking their health so seriously, and your local farms will be happy too!

Ingredients:

2 cups flour (I use organic coconut flour)

1 tbsp baking powder

2 tbsp local honey

3 tbsp butter (or dairy-free, soy-free alternative) or vegetable oil

1 cup water

1 & 1/4 cup of finely chopped strawberries (can use fresh or frozen)

Mix all wet ingredients and then add flour & baking powder. Mix in strawberries. Drop tablespoon size amounts of batter onto a cookie sheet and bake at 300F for 15-20 minutes. Can be dehydrated for about 10 hours for a longer lasting freshness.

 

Liz will give away a copy of her new book, A BISCUIT, A CASKET to one lucky commenter today!

 

Liz Mugavero is the author of the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries. The first book in the series, Kneading to Die, is an Agatha Award nominee for Best First Novel. A Biscuit, A Casket, is available now. As you can imagine, her canine and feline rescues demand the best organic food and treats around. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Sisters in Crime New England, Mystery Writers of America, and the Cat Writers’ Association.