A Real Treat for Your Dog: Homemade LiverSnaps!

​Our dogs are what they eat, so if we want them to live long healthy lives it only makes sense that their treats are healthy too, right?  If you're looking for a bad-weather day activity to do with the kids, or if you just love baking and want to do a little something special for your dog, making homemade dog treats is a great way to pass the time (and your dog will love the results)!  One of my favorite treats to make (and my Scout's favorite to eat) is my LiverSnaps recipe! 

​I formulated this recipe by combining some of my other favorite treat recipes and substituting healthier ingredients such as garbanzo flour (which makes these biscuits grain-free), coconut oil, peanut powder and fresh chicken livers.  You may think "eww, chicken liver!" but let me tell you, it draws attention from many of the dogs (I've even had discerning dogs who are selective about their baked treats gobble up my LiverSnaps!).  Cooking the chicken livers may not smell so great to some of us, but the sweet smell of the other ingredients when baking makes up for it in my opinion. And since you can usually buy a 16oz container of chicken livers from your grocery store for less than $2.00, it can be inexpensive to make these biscuits that your dog will love!

​You can use whatever cookie cutter you choose that is about 3" in length and 2" wide (I use the bone-shaped cookie cutter shown below, though I'm tempted to get some corgi-shaped ones like these available on ebay :-D).  There are many cute cookie cutters available online for a variety of dog breeds if you want to get cutesy with your creation!

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​Items you will need:

• Medium mixing bowl and spoon
• ​Small saucepan
• Small food processor
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutter

Yield:
About 7 dozen cookies.
​These can last in an airtight container or zip-seal bag for a long time (I usually go through a batch every 5-6 weeks or so).  You can halve the ingredients for a smaller yield - I just prefer to make bigger batches, less often since they stay fresh for a while.

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​Ingredients:

• ​4.5 cups Garbanzo (chickpea) flour (and some extra for rolling, can mix in some brown rice flour if you choose)
• 12-16oz container Chicken livers, cooked and pureed
• 1 cup Peanut flour or plain peanut butter powder
• 2 Eggs
• 1/2 cup Coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup hot water (depending on consistency)
  

​To prepare the chicken livers for use in the recipe:

• Bring a small pot of water to a boil
• Add chicken livers and cook on medium heat for 3-5 minutes (or until mostly cooked through)
• Drain water and let chicken livers cool
• In a small food processor, pulse chicken livers with just a little bit of water (usually no more than a couple of tablespoons) until smooth and creamy
• Now they're ready to add to the rest of the ingredients! 

Pureed and ready to use

Scout knows the only time I boil chicken livers is when I make his LiverSnaps, so he is waiting patiently by the stove!

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Preparation:

• Mix all ingredients by spoon in a medium mixing bowl until well-blended.  You can also use a large food processor if you have one (I don't). 
• The consistency when finished should be firm and dry, not sticky.  If the batter is too wet, it will not roll out cleanly and will also form air pockets when baked - add more flour.  If the batter is too dry, add more hot water (just a tablespoon or so at a time!) - this rarely happens.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• Knead and roll out using a rolling pin on a floured surface.  I alternate rolling out a little, sprinkling with flour, flipping over and rolling out a bit more several times to ensure my batter is not sticking to my counter (or it will be difficult to peel the cookies once cut).  Roll to 1/4" thickness.
• Using cookie cutter, cut cookies until all batter is used.
• Bake for 35 minutes in a 300 degree oven on ungreased cookie sheets until cookies are crispy.  If you can make a dent with your fingernail with light pressure, let them bake a few more minutes.
• Cool on a wire cookie rack.  Once completely cool, let your dog sample to make sure they are done- this is Scout's favorite part!  :-)
• Store in an air-tight canister or zip-sealed back in a cool dry place so your dog can enjoy for weeks to come!
  

If you really want to get creative, you could modify this recipe to offer some variety - perhaps substituting mashed banana and blueberries or canned pumpkin for the chicken liver, or you could use brown rice flour if you want to add in some grain.  Either way, it should be fun for you AND your dog will reap the benefits of your time and love spent on him!