CRANBERRY CHEESE COOKIES
Did you know?
Cranberries are rich in vitamins including A, B1, B2, C, and many nutrients. They are full of minerals and polyphenol antioxidants, which can benefit the cardiovascular system, immune system and even act as an anti-cancer agent in your dog or cat. Cranberries also contain nutrients that fight plaque from forming on your dog or cat’s teeth. Cranberry nutrients are best known for preventing recurring urinary tract infections (UTI). The nutrients combat the bacteria from your pet’s digestive tract that can invade their urinary tract and possibly cause infection.
Eggs add high quality protein – essential for body building and enhanced immune system health. Added benefits include essential fatty acids for hormonal, skin, kidney, heart, liver, reproductive, coat and brain health. Eggs also contain vital anti-oxidants, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which help protect the eye and reduce the effects of ageing, which is accelerated by poor modern diets. Eggs are a good source of Vitamin A, Riboflavin, Folate, Vitamin B12, Iron, Selenium and Fatty Acids.
CRANBERRY CHEESE COOKIES
2½ cups brown rice flour
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup grated lactose free cheese
2 large eggs
2 tbsp. olive oil
4 tbsp. water
Preheat oven to 165° C (325° F) and line two cookie trays with parchment paper.
Place the brown rice flour, cranberries, cheese, eggs and olive oil in a food processor.
Pulse until cranberries are chopped and mixture appears crumbly.
With the processor running, pour 4 tbsp. water down the chute into mixture.
Alternative method: Chop the dried cranberries into small pieces, place brown rice flour, cranberries, cheese, eggs and olive into a large bowl. Using your hands or a heavy spoon, stir to combine the (dry and crumbly) mixture. Add 4 tbsp. water and work to combine.
Working with flours that lack gluten can be tricky; the dough crumbles and pulls apart easily, if you find you just can’t incorporate all of the crumbles in the bottom of your mixing bowl, don’t worry, in the next step, you will be able to bring it all together.
Turn onto floured work surface and using your hands work the crumbly mixture into a smooth dough ball. The dough appears oily but not sticky wet.
Place dough between two pieces of cling wrap or freezer paper and roll (or using your hands, pat out) to ½ inch thickness.
Using a cookie cutter of your choice or a sharp knife or pastry cutter, cut out shapes.
Place shapes on cookie tray. Gather dough scraps and repeat process of work, roll (pat), cut and place until all dough is used.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Remove cookie trays from oven and let cookies rest for 5 minutes on tray.
Place cookies on wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Yield – approximately 100 small cookies (great for freezing or gift treat bags for your fur kids, fur friends special occassion).
Storage, Refrigeration and Freezing instructions:
Store in zip lock bags or air tight containers in your refrigerator.
Allow to come to room temperature before feeding.
Home-baked dog treats contain no preservatives, so they can mold or spoil the same as home-baked people cookies/cakes do. Other variables, ingredients/moisture content of the treat and climate conditions will also determine the storage time.
Refrigeration will prolong the life of home-made dog treats.
Freeze for up to 6 months – Always allow treats to thaw completely before feeding.
Feed these CRANBERRY CHEESE COOKIES only as a treat.
Treats should not make up more than 10% of your pet’s diet.
As with any treat, always provide fresh water after feeding.
Be sure to check the recipe for any known foods or ingredients your pet may be allergic to. If in doubt, check with your Vet.