Yes, you can absolutely decorate dog biscuits! Decorating dog treats is a fun way to make them extra special for your pup. It’s also a great activity to do with kids. There are so many creative ways to decorate dog biscuits with frosting, sprinkles, peanut butter, carob powder, and more. Decorated biscuits can be used as gifts, birthday treats, or just because. Keep reading to learn all about decorating delicious homemade dog biscuits.
Why Decorate Dog Biscuits?
There are a few main reasons to decorate dog treats:
Make Them More Appealing
Adding decorations like frosting, sprinkles, or carob powder can make plain biscuits more enticing and exciting for dogs. The decorations add variety to the look and taste of the treats. Even just a light coating of peanut butter on top can make a boring biscuit much more appetizing. Dogs will be more eager and motivated to eat decorated biscuits.
Celebrate Occasions
Decorated biscuits are a great way to celebrate a dog’s birthday, gotcha day adoption anniversary, holidays, graduations from training classes, or any other special occasion. You can tailor the decorations to the event – use birthday candles, Christmas trees, graduation caps, hearts for Valentine’s Day, etc. It’s a super cute idea for special days.
Use as Gifts
Decorated homemade dog biscuits make fantastic gifts! You can personalize them with your pup’s name, wrap them up in cute packaging, and give them to dog lovers and owners. They are a thoughtful present and treat to give neighbors, friends, family, dog walkers, groomers, and anyone else.
Make Them Festive
Around the holidays, decorate biscuits to get your dog in the festive spirit! Use holiday-themed sprinkles, frosting colors and shapes to make Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, 4th of July, and other holiday biscuits. It’s a merry way to include your furry friend in the celebrations.
Do a Fun Activity with Kids
Decorating dog biscuits is a great family activity to do with kids of all ages. Let your children unleash their creativity topping the treats with various decorations. Supervise closely to make sure only dog-safe decor is used. The kids will have so much fun decorating and the dogs will enjoy the results!
Decorating Materials
There are many edible, dog-safe items you can use to decorate biscuits. Here are some top options:
Frosting
Frosting is one of the most popular choices for decorating dog biscuits. Stick to cream cheese or yogurt frostings without sugar. Use whipped cream cheese or Greek yogurt and mix in a natural peanut butter or mashed berries for flavor. Frost biscuits and top with sprinkles.
Peanut Butter
Adding a dollop of peanut butter on a biscuit is an easy decoration. You can drizzle melted peanut butter over biscuits before baking or spoon it on after baking. Peanut butter adds flavor and protein.
Sprinkles
Look for pet supply stores that carry sprinkles made specifically for dogs. These are made with dog-safe natural colors and flavors. Use them to decorate frosted biscuits.
Carob Powder
For a chocolatey decor, use carob powder. It’s naturally sweet with a chocolate-like flavor but doesn’t contain caffeine or theobromine like real chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Sprinkle it on biscuits before baking.
Turmeric
Turmeric adds a bright yellow color and is healthy for dogs too. Mix with flour and cut into shapes before baking or dust on top of baked biscuits.
Cheddar Powder
For a cheese flavor, use cheddar powder. It contains cheese notes without the lactose. Lightly coat biscuits before baking.
Other Ideas:
– Cinnamon
– Brewers Yeast
– Crumbled Bacon Bits
– Shredded Coconut
– Dried Berries
– Crushed Dog Treats
– Edible Flowers
– Whole Oats
How to Decorate Dog Biscuits
Here are some easy techniques for decorating dog biscuits:
Frosting
Pipe or spread frosting on the tops of baked biscuits using a knife or piping bag. Add sprinkles or other decorations on top of the frosting. Refrigerate to set the frosting before serving.
Drizzle Melted Peanut Butter
Melt peanut butter in the microwave until liquid. Transfer to a small zip top bag and snip the corner to make a piping bag. Drizzle the melted peanut butter over baked biscuits in fun designs before allowing to set.
Lightly Coat with Flavor Powders
Mix in carob powder, turmeric, or cheddar powder with flour. Roll out dough and cut into shapes before baking to make powder baked-in designs. Or lightly brush tops of already baked biscuits with water and sprinkle on powder.
Press in Toppings
Before baking, gently press decorations like shredded coconut, whole oats, crushed dog treats, edible flowers, or sprinkle mixes into the tops of shaped dough. Bake as normal.
Stamp Shapes
Use small cookie cutters or a rubber stamp to press shapes into rolled out dough before cutting into biscuits and baking. Stars, hearts, dog bones, paw prints, flowers, trees, etc.
Draw with Peanut Butter
After baking, place biscuits on a cooling rack over parchment paper. Spoon peanut butter into a plastic bag and cut a small hole in the corner. Pipe designs like spirals, names, bones, flowers, etc.
Layer Carob and Peanut Butter
Spread melted peanut butter over baked biscuits, allow to set, then sprinkle with carob powder for a two-toned decorated look. The peanut butter will show through the powder in places.
Biscuit Recipes to Decorate
Any basic dog biscuit recipe will work well for decorating. The biscuits just need to be sturdy enough to handle the decorations. Here are some top recipes to try:
Classic Dog Biscuits
| 2 1/2 cups | All-purpose Flour |
| 1 tsp | Baking Powder |
| 1/2 tsp | Salt |
| 1/4 cup | Vegetable or Peanut Oil |
| 1 | Egg |
| 1/2 cup | Milk |
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, beat together the oil, egg, and milk.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix just until a dough forms.
5. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to 1/4″ thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters.
6. Arrange spaced apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 20 minutes until lightly browned. Allow to cool fully before decorating.
Pumpkin Dog Biscuits
| 2 1/4 cups | Whole Wheat Flour |
| 1/2 tsp | Baking Powder |
| 1/2 tsp | Ground Cinnamon |
| 1/4 tsp | Ground Ginger |
| 1/4 tsp | Ground Cloves |
| 1/2 cup | Pumpkin Puree |
| 1 | Beaten Egg |
| 2 tbsp | Honey |
| 2 tbsp | Peanut Butter |
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the pumpkin, egg, honey, and peanut butter.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix just until combined.
5. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to 1/4″ thick. Use cookie cutters to cut into shapes.
6. Arrange spaced apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 25 minutes until set. Allow to cool fully before decorating.
Bacon and Cheese Dog Biscuits
| 2 cups | All-purpose Flour |
| 1 tbsp | Baking Powder |
| 1/4 tsp | Salt |
| 1/4 cup | Grated Cheddar Cheese |
| 1/4 cup | Crumbled Cooked Bacon |
| 1 | Beaten Egg |
| 1/2 cup | Milk |
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in the cheese and bacon.
3. In a separate bowl, beat together the egg and milk.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix just until a soft dough forms.
5. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to 1/4″ thick. Use cookie cutters to cut into shapes.
6. Arrange spaced apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 18 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool fully before decorating.
Tips for Decorating Dog Biscuits
Follow these tips for the best decorated doggie biscuits:
– Use new clean decorating tools and containers just for the dog biscuits. Don’t use utensils also used for people food.
– Choose dog-safe decorations like carob, peanut butter, yogurt, pumpkin, sweet potato, etc. Avoid chocolate, macadamia nuts, raisins, sugar, icing, gum, and artificial colors.
– Refrigerate or freeze decorated biscuits to help set the frosting or toppers. Store any leftovers in the fridge or freezer too.
– Don’t over-decorate biscuits. The treats should still primarily be healthy dog biscuits, not just vehicles for unhealthy toppings.
– Supervise pets when first feeding decorated biscuits. Make sure they are chewing and tolerating all ingredients well.
– Reduce other treats while feeding decorated biscuits. They are very special snacks that should be portion controlled.
– Invite kids to help decorate the dog biscuits under your direct supervision. Give them their own small batch of plain biscuits to let their creativity run wild with safe decorations.
Fun Ideas for Decorated Dog Biscuits
Here are some fun theme ideas for decorated dog biscuits:
Holiday Biscuits
Choose holiday sprinkles, flavors, colors, and shapes for decorating dog biscuits. Make Halloween biscuits with pumpkin, candy corn, bat, and ghost shaped biscuits decorated with orange and black icing.
Make Christmas trees, stockings, snowflakes, etc coated in red and green carob powder and sprinkles. Easter egg and bunny shaped biscuits look adorable decorated with pastel frosting and sprinkles.
Birthday Biscuits
For your pup’s birthday or gotcha day, bake biscuits in fun shapes like bones, paws, fire hydrants, dogs, hearts, flowers, and their name or initial. Pipe frosting to look like birthday cake icing and top with sprinkles. Stick mini dog bone shaped biscuits in the icing to look like candles.
Gift Biscuits
To give as gifts for dog lovers, decorate biscuits for the recipient. Make bone shaped biscuits with their name piped on top in colored peanut butter. Or use the colors of their favorite sports team.
Pack the custom decorated biscuits in a cute dog themed tin or cellophane bag tied with ribbon. Include a gift tag with the pup’s name on it.
Training Biscuits
To use as training treats, decorate small bite-sized biscuits with extra peanut butter, carob powder, pumpkin, or mashed berries. The toppings will make the biscuits extra appealing for motivation.
Seasonal Biscuits
Decorate with shapes and themes for spring, summer, fall, and winter. Spring blossoms, summer beach balls, fall leaves, winter snowflakes, etc. Reflect the season.
Storing Decorated Dog Biscuits
To maintain freshness and texture of decorated dog biscuits:
– Let biscuits cool and set completely after decorating before storing.
– Keep biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week. Or refrigerate for up to 1 month.
– You can also freeze decorated biscuits. Allow to thaw for 10 minutes before serving. Freeze for up to 6 months.
– If decorating with perishable ingredients like peanut butter or pumpkin, refrigerate or freeze the biscuits. Discard if any signs of mold.
– For gift biscuits, choose longer lasting decor like carob powder rather than frosting. Package in a cellophane bag to see the decorations.
– Store dough scraps without decorations. Decorate only what you will use within a week.
Safety Tips
When decorating edible dog biscuits, be sure to follow these safety guidelines:
– Check with your vet if your dog has food allergies or intolerances. Avoid any ingredients they cannot digest.
– Only use 100% dog-safe decorations meant for consumption. No inedible craft decorations or people foods.
– Prevent choking by decorating large biscuits or cutting smaller ones in half if topping with dense decorations like peanut butter.
– Supervise your dog when first trying decorated biscuits to watch for any reactions or choking.
– Reduce other treats while feeding decorated biscuits since the extra toppings add calories.
– Store out of reach of dogs to prevent overindulgence. Only feed decorated biscuits as special treats in moderation.
Fun for Humans and Dogs!
Decorating homemade dog biscuits is a blast! Let your imagination go wild dreaming up cute designs, shapes, themes, and topping combinations. Get the whole family involved for an enjoyable activity you all can participate in. Your furry friend will be wagging their tail over these amazing treats! With a little planning and dog-safe ingredients, you can whip up personalized biscuits fit for a pooch’s party.
Conclusion
Decorated dog biscuits make for a fun DIY project and yummy homemade treat for your pup! With so many safe, edible topping options from peanut butter to carob powder and festive sprinkles, you can customize biscuits for any occasion. Bake a batch of hearty dog biscuit dough and let your imagination run wild with the decorations. Just be sure to use only dog-safe ingredients. Get creative with decorating techniques like piping, drizzling, sprinkling, and stamping. Your best friend will be drooling over these delicious decorated biscuits!