Christmas Tree Dog Treats
There’s something extra special about baking for your dog during the holiday season—and these Christmas Tree Dog Treats bring all the festive cheer in the cutest way! Shaped with a simple tree-shaped cookie cutter, they’re made with wholesome, dog-friendly ingredients like rice flour, applesauce, and eggs for a dough that’s easy to work with.
A touch of spirulina adds a naturally vibrant green hue, giving each little tree a magical Christmas glow without any artificial colors. These treats are fun to make, adorable to gift, and guaranteed to have your dog feeling part of the holiday celebrations!
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Can Dogs Eat Christmas Cookies?
Dogs should not eat traditional Christmas cookies. Most human holiday cookies contain ingredients that can be harmful—or even toxic—to dogs. While a tiny accidental nibble isn’t usually dangerous, it’s best to keep standard Christmas cookies well out of reach.
If you want your dog to join in the festive fun, choose homemade dog-friendly Christmas treats made with safe ingredients. Recipes using things like rice flour, oats, peanut butter, pumpkin, applesauce, or banana are all great options.
Why Your Dog Will Love This Recipe
These festive treats are not just adorable—they’re packed with flavors and textures dogs can’t resist! The natural sweetness of applesauce makes every bite tasty, while the eggs add a rich, satisfying texture. Plus, the little touch of spirulina gives them a fun, bright green color that makes treat time feel extra special. Perfectly sized for little paws, these treats are crunchy enough to enjoy but soft enough for pups of all ages.
Ingredients
Just 4 ingredients make these easy Christmas dog cookies.
Brown Rice Flour – A gentle, gluten-free flour that’s easy on your dog’s stomach. It forms the perfect base for chewy or crunchy treats. This can be replaced with other dog friendly flours.
Eggs – Packed with protein and essential amino acids, eggs help support healthy muscles and a shiny coat.
Applesauce – Naturally sweet and low in fat, applesauce adds moisture and flavor while providing vitamins and antioxidants. Make sure it’s unsweetened for your pup or make your own.
Spirulina – A nutrient-dense algae that gives your treats a festive green color. Spirulina is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, and supports overall health and immunity in dog
How To Make Christmas Tree Dog Treats
These dog cookies can be made in a food processor or a mixing bowl. We used a food processor but to be honest, the next time I make these it will be in a bowl. I thought the food processor would blend the spirulina well but it’s just as easy to blend in a mixing bowl.3
Mix all the ingredients into a dough.
Roll out the dough and use tree cookie cutters
Place on a baking tray and bake.
Decorate with cranberries and peanut butter.
Recipe Tips
- Roll Evenly – Roll the dough to about ¼ inch thick so the treats bake evenly and hold their tree shape.
- Use a Lightly Floured Surface – Dust your counter or rolling pin with a little rice flour to prevent sticking.
- Freeze for Easy Cutting – If the dough feels too soft, pop it in the freezer for 10–15 minutes before cutting with the cookie cutter.
- Custom Shapes – Don’t have a tree cutter? Use any small cookie cutter or even shape by hand for fun.
- Adjust Texture – For crunchier treats, bake a few extra minutes; for softer treats, slightly reduce baking time.
- Decorate Safely – Use dog-safe toppings like tiny pieces of blueberries, cranberries, or a thin smear of peanut butter for extra festive flair.
Substitution Suggestions
Here are a few ideas for substitutions for this dog treat recipe.
| Original Ingredient | Substitution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brown Rice Flour | Oat Flour or Almond Flour | Oat flour keeps it gluten-free; almond flour adds healthy fats (may alter texture slightly) |
| Eggs | Flax Egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg) | Great for dogs with egg allergies; may make treats slightly denser |
| Applesauce | Mashed Banana or Pumpkin Puree | Adds natural sweetness and moisture; pumpkin is great for digestion |
| Spirulina | Spinach Puree | You could try broccoli too. |
Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerator: Keep in a sealed container for 1–2 weeks for longer freshness.
- Freezer: Place in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Tip: If treats lose their crunch after storing, pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–7 minutes to crisp them back up.
Christmas Cookie Decorating Ideas
Have fun with decorating these dog treats as you would making your own cookies!
Mini Fruit Ornaments – Use tiny pieces of blueberries or cranberries as colorful “baubles” on the tree.
Peanut Butter “Garland” – Lightly spread a thin line of smooth, unsalted peanut butter to mimic tinsel.
Yogurt Drizzle – Use plain, unsweetened yogurt as a drizzle or “snow” effect. Freeze briefly to set.
Pumpkin or Sweet Potato Stars – Cut small stars from cooked pumpkin or sweet potato and place on top of the tree.
Layered Trees – Stack two tree shapes for a 3D effect and secure with a dab of peanut butter.
More Christmas Dog Treat Recipes
Enjoy festive baking for your furry friend with these other dog treat recipes:
Christmas Tree Dog Treats
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Ingredients
- 2 cups brown rice flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup apple sauce unsweetened
- 1/2 teaspoon spirulina
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and applesauce until smooth.
- Gradually add the rice flour and spirulina to the wet mixture. Stir until a firm dough forms.
- Lightly flour a clean surface with rice flour and roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness.
- Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Re-roll scraps as needed.
- Place the trees on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15–18 minutes, or until slightly golden and firm to the touch.
- Allow the treats to cool on a wire rack before decorating or serving.
- Add dog-safe decorations like blueberries, cranberries, or a thin smear of peanut butter for festive flair.
Video
Notes
Storage Instructions
- Room Temp: Airtight container, up to 5 days
- Fridge: Sealed container, 1–2 weeks
- Freezer: Up to 3 months; thaw before serving
- Tip: To restore crunch, bake at 300°F (150°C) for 5–7 min
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.