Gourd Goodies For Hounds: Pawsitively Delicious Pumpkin Treats:

A Treat from My Kitchen to Yours

My dog, Benny, always sits by the oven when I bake. His nose wiggles in the air. He knows something good is coming. I love making these pumpkin treats for him. It makes his tail wag so hard.

Using simple, good ingredients matters. You know exactly what your best friend is eating. It feels good to give them a healthy snack. Does your dog get excited when you’re in the kitchen too?

Why These Ingredients Are So Good

Pumpkin is a super-food for dogs. It helps their tummies feel just right. The oats give them good energy for playing. And peanut butter? Well, that’s just for pure joy.

I always use pure pumpkin puree, not pie filling. Pie mix has sugar and spices that can upset their stomachs. Fun fact: Pumpkin can help with a dog’s digestion, whether they’re a little stopped up or have the runs. It’s a handy thing to know.

Let’s Make the Dough

Just mix everything in one big bowl. The dough will look a little crumbly at first. Don’t you worry. When you press it together, it will form a nice ball. It’s like magic.

I once forgot the egg. The dough was too dry to stick together. Benny looked so sad. I still laugh at that mistake. Now I always double-check my ingredients. What’s the funniest cooking mistake you’ve ever made?

Rolling and Cutting Fun

Put the dough ball between two pieces of parchment paper. Flatten it with your hand first. Then use a rolling pin. You want it about three-quarters of an inch thick.

Now for the best part. Use any cookie cutter shape you like. I have a bone-shaped one. Benny gets so excited seeing his special shapes. Doesn’t that smell amazing with the peanut butter and pumpkin?

Baking and The Peanut Butter Drizzle

Pop them in the oven. They bake fast, only 10 to 12 minutes. For a crunchier treat, just flip them over for a few more minutes. Watch them closely, as all ovens are different.

While they bake, warm that extra peanut butter. Drizzling it on at the end makes the treats extra special. This small act of love matters. It shows our pets how much we care. Do you think your pup would prefer these crunchy or soft?

The Most Important Step

You must let the treats cool completely. I know it’s hard to wait. Those happy puppy eyes are begging. But a hot treat can hurt their mouth.

This patience is part of the love we show them. Making their food safely is so important. Seeing them happily crunch on a cool treat is worth the wait. What is your dog’s very favorite homemade snack?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Pumpkin Puree	¾ cup
Peanut Butter	½ cup	No sugar or salt added; plus ½ cup more for drizzle
Oats	¼ cup
Egg	1
Brown Rice Flour	2 cups

Gourd Goodies For Hounds: Pawsitively Delicious Pumpkin Treats

My old dog, Benny, loved autumn. He would sniff the air when I baked. I wanted to make him a special treat. So I created these pumpkin dog biscuits. They are so simple to make. Your pup will love them too. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

Let’s get our hands a little dusty with flour. This dough is very easy to work with. It comes together in just one bowl. I still laugh at the first time I made these. Benny sat in the kitchen the whole time. He never took his eyes off me.

Step 1: Mix the Wet Ingredients

First, turn your oven on to 350°F. This gets it nice and hot. Then grab a medium-sized bowl. Put in the pumpkin, peanut butter, oats, and egg. Mix it all up until it looks combined. It will be a pretty orange color.

Step 2: Add the Flour

Now, add the brown rice flour. Mix it in well. The dough will look a little crumbly. Do not worry, that is normal. It should stick together when you press it. (A hard-learned tip: If it’s too dry, add a teaspoon of water. Too sticky? A sprinkle more flour helps!).

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough

Split the dough into two balls. This makes it easier to roll. Put one ball between two pieces of parchment paper. Flatten it first with your hand. Then use a rolling pin to make it about ¾ inch thick.

Step 4: Cut the Treats

Time for the fun part! Use your favorite cookie cutter. I like using little bone shapes. Carefully lift the shapes onto a baking sheet. Press the leftover dough together and roll it out again. What shape would your dog love most? Share below!

Step 5: Bake the Treats

Bake the treats for 10 to 12 minutes. For a crunchier treat, flip them over. Bake for another 6 minutes. Let them cool completely on the sheet. This makes them nice and firm for chewing.

Step 6: Add the Drizzle

Warm the extra peanut butter for 20 seconds. Drizzle it over the cooled treats. This makes them extra special. Let the peanut butter drizzle set before you serve them. Watch your dog’s tail wag with joy!

Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 40 treats
Category: Dog Treats

Three Tasty Twists for Your Pup

Once you know the basic recipe, you can get creative. My grand-pups love these fun variations. They are all safe and healthy for dogs. Try one of these ideas next time.

Apple Cinnamon Swirl: Replace half the pumpkin with applesauce. Add a tiny pinch of cinnamon. It smells like a fall picnic.

Cheesy Delight: Mix in two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This makes them extra savory. Most dogs go crazy for cheese.

Blueberry Blast: Add a handful of dried blueberries to the dough. They are full of good things. The little purple dots look so pretty.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Up the Snacks

These treats are perfect all on their own. But you can make them part of a special meal. I sometimes crumble one over Benny’s regular food. It made his dinner feel like a party. He always licked his bowl clean.

For a fun training session, break a treat into tiny pieces. Your dog will work hard for them. You can also put a few in a puzzle toy. It keeps their mind busy and happy. It’s a wonderful sight to see.

While your dog enjoys their treat, you deserve one too. I love a hot cup of coffee with mine. A crisp apple cider is also lovely this time of year. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Gourd Goodies Fresh

These treats are easy to store. Just let them cool completely first. Then pop them into an airtight container. They will stay fresh on your counter for about a week.

You can also freeze them for later. I like to make a double batch. This way, I always have a special snack ready for my good boy, Buster. I once forgot a batch on the counter overnight. We had to say goodbye to those treats.

Batch cooking saves you time and effort. It means more fun and less fuss. You can enjoy more moments with your furry friend. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Puppy Treat Troubleshooting

Is your dough too sticky? Just add a little more brown rice flour. I remember when my dough stuck to everything. A bit more flour made it perfect.

Are the treats not getting crisp? Bake them for a few more minutes. You can also flip them over halfway. This helps them get crunchy all over.

Is the peanut butter drizzle too thick? Thin it with a tiny bit of water. This makes it easier to drizzle. Fixing small problems builds your cooking confidence. It also makes the treats taste just right for your pup. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Top Treat Questions

Q: Can I make these gluten-free? A: They already are! Brown rice flour has no gluten.

Q: Can I make them ahead of time? A: Yes, you can. They freeze beautifully for up to three months.

Q: What can I use instead of peanut butter? A: You can use plain mashed banana. Fun fact: Pumpkin can help soothe a dog’s upset tummy.

Q: Can I make a smaller batch? A: Of course. Just cut all the ingredients in half.

Q: Are the cookie cutters necessary? A: No, you can just cut simple squares with a knife. Which tip will you try first?

Happy Tails from My Kitchen

I hope your dog loves these special treats. Making them is a wonderful way to show your love. My Buster always sits extra close when he smells them baking.

I would love to see your creations. Please share a picture of your happy pup. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!

—Lena Morales.