CINNAMON and CARROT CRACKERS
Did you know?
Cinnamon, a great addition to dog treat cookies is also antibacterial, and slows down the spoilage of food. Initial studies have indicated that cinnamon may have anti-cancer and anti-bacterial benefits. Cinnamon is a known to aid indigestion, diarrhea and GAS in your dog and has great anti-inflammatory properties, especially for senior dogs struggling with arthritis. Studies have shown cinnamon improves brain function in dogs too. If you’re working with your dog on learning new tricks, definitely offer him or her a sniff of cinnamon before you begin your training session!
Carrots are an excellent source of antioxidants and phytonutrients and are packed full of vitamin B, C, D, E and K along with folic acid and the anti-cancer protecting ingredient – beta carotene. Clinical trials have shown that dogs supplemented with beta carotene have a heightened immune response, which protects them from illness and infection. Carrots also contain potassium, iron, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium and silica. Carrots can be fed raw, cooked or pureed and are always a great addition to healthy treat recipes.
Rye Flour is lower in gluten than whole-wheat flour and contains high levels of proteins and fiber. It contains good amounts of iron, calcium and zinc and a whole slew of B vitamins. There’s also vitamin E a plenty. It’s also effective in lowering cholesterol levels, optimizing health of the heart and controlling blood pressure (US studies have showed between 0.5 percent and 10 percent of dogs suffer from high blood pressure – ages ranged from 2 to 14 years old).
CINNAMON and CARROT CRACKERS
4 cups rye flour
½ cup oat flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 – 2 tablespoons water (extra if needed)
In a large bowl, combine flours and cinnamon.
In a food processor or blender combine carrot, 1/2 cup water, oil, honey, egg, and vanilla and process until smooth.
Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix to combine. Knead and press the dough with your hands, if it’s still really dry and crumbly, add a little of the extra water.
Continue to work the dough (and add water) until you can bring it together.
Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and shape and form into a ball.
Cut into 4 portions, it makes it easier to work with.
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and let dough balls rest for about an hour (bench top is fine).
Preheat oven to 180° C (350° F) and line two cookie trays with parchment paper.
Roll out a dough portion to 1/8 inch thickness and using a pastry cutter, a sharp knife or a round cookie cutter, cut into bite size pieces (small, medium or large).
Transfer the crackers to cookie trays and poke holes with fork tines in each cracker.
Repeat the process of roll, cut, transfer and poke holes with the other dough balls.
Gather up the scraps and repeat until all the dough is used.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Remove trays from the oven; reduce the oven temperature to 150° C (300° F) and allow crackers to sit and rest for 5 – 10 minutes, on the trays.
Return the cooled trays to oven and bake for a further 20 minutes.
Remove trays from oven and transfer crackers to wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Yield – approximately 84 x 1 inch square crackers and 36 round 1½ inch crackers.
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 CINNAMON and CARROT CRACKERS 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.
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