Ok, so I don’t know about you, but the holidays kind of turn me into a bit of a gift-giving gremlin. And by that, I mean I become obsessed with finding the perfect thoughtful, Pinteresty-but-not-in-a-terrifying-way gift for everyone… including the dogs.
Yup, our little furballs deserve holiday cheer too. And not just the leftover turkey scraps.
So, today I thought I’d share something fun, easy, and ridiculously adorable that you can either:
- Whip up for your own pup who has no idea what a holiday is but still deserves treats, or
- Gift to a fellow dog lover who will 100% lose their mind over how cute and thoughtful this is.
It’s the DIY Dog Holiday Treat Jar. Think mason jar, layered ingredients, topped with a bow and a bone-shaped cookie cutter, filled with ingredients your dog can actually eat and benefit from. Pretty cute, right?
So, let’s get into it.
What You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make this magical little jar of pup-happiness. Don’t worry, you probably already have half of this stuff in your pantry or can grab it at your next grocery run.
- 1 clean, dry mason jar (quart-size is great)
- 1 cup oat flour
- ⅓ cup unsweetened dried cranberries, chopped (or cranberry powder if you have it)
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon flaxseeds
- ⅓ cup spinach powder (or spirulina if you’re fancy)
- Festive ribbon or twine
- A gift tag (can be store-bought or made from cardstock)
- Optional: A small dog bone cookie cutter to tie around the neck of the jar
Tools You’ll Need
This is a low-effort, low-mess project, but here’s what will make it easier:
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A funnel (not essential, but makes it 1000% easier to layer the ingredients neatly)
- A small spoon
- Scissors
- Pen or marker to write on your tag
Let’s Talk About the Ingredients
Before we jump into the “how-to” part, I want to tell you why we’re using each of these ingredients. These aren’t just cute layers for the sake of aesthetics. Nope. They actually have benefits for your pup.
- Oat flour: A great, gentle option for dogs with sensitive stomachs. It’s gluten-free and easy to digest.
- Cranberries: These can help with urinary tract health and have antioxidant properties. Plus, dogs usually love the tart sweetness.
- Coconut sugar: A small amount adds a hint of sweetness and minerals like iron and zinc.
- Flaxseeds: Full of omega-3s and fiber. Great for a shiny coat and happy digestion.
- Spinach powder: Loaded with vitamins like A, C, and K. Also gives the treats a fun little color once they’re baked.
These are all ingredients that are safe for most dogs, but always use your judgment and consult your vet if your dog has specific dietary restrictions.
How to Assemble Your Jar
This is the fun part. It’s kind of like making one of those layered brownie-in-a-jar things, but for your furry little bestie.
- Start by adding the oat flour to the bottom of your jar. Tap it lightly on the counter to flatten it out.
- Next, layer in the cranberries (or cranberry powder if that’s what you’re using).
- Then add the coconut sugar. Use the back of a spoon to gently press it down and level it out.
- Sprinkle in the flaxseeds.
- Add the spinach powder last. You’ll get this pretty green top layer that just screams “healthy but make it cute.”
- Screw on the lid tightly.
- Wrap your ribbon or twine around the lid. Tie on your tag and, if you want, the little cookie cutter.
On the tag, write something like this:
To Bake:
- Dump jar contents into a mixing bowl.
- Add 1 large egg, ½ cup unsweetened applesauce, and ¼ cup water.
- Mix well, roll out the dough, cut into shapes, and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes. Cool completely before serving.
Pro Tips (From Someone Who’s Made Too Many of These)
- Don’t overfill the jar If the jar is packed too tight, the ingredients won’t mix well when they’re poured out. Leave a little room at the top so they can move.
- Cut everything small If you’re using whole cranberries, chop them up finely. Dogs don’t love giant chunks of dried fruit.
- Use the cookie cutter as a decor piece It instantly levels up the presentation and makes it feel like a real “gift,” not just a jar of random stuff.
- Write the baking instructions clearly Trust me, your future self (or your friend) will thank you when they’re standing in the kitchen trying to figure out what to do with this jar of green and brown powder.
- Test a batch first If you’ve never made these before, try one jar for yourself first and make the treats for your dog to see if they like them. That way you know it’s a win before making five to hand out as gifts.
Substitutions and Variations
- No oat flour? Use whole wheat flour or even rice flour.
- Don’t have coconut sugar? Brown sugar in small amounts is fine for most dogs.
- No spinach powder? Try finely ground kale or spirulina. Just check that it’s pet-safe and not mixed with anything else.
- Want to add a boost? Add 1 tbsp of powdered peanut butter (like PB2). Dogs go nuts for it.
- For sensitive stomachs, skip the sugar altogether and just add another tablespoon of flax or oats.
Make-Ahead Tips
You can make these jars up to a month in advance, as long as everything is stored dry and airtight. Store them in a cool, dry place—no need to refrigerate. If gifting, try to make them no more than 3 to 4 weeks before giving, just to keep everything as fresh as possible.
Leftovers and Storage (Once Baked)
Once you’ve baked the treats, let them cool completely and then store in:
- An airtight container at room temp for up to 7 days
- The fridge for up to 2 weeks
- The freezer for up to 3 months
You can also re-bake them for a few minutes if they get soft and you want them crunchier again.
Optional Extras (If You Want to Get Fancy)
- Nutritional Add-Ins: A pinch of turmeric (anti-inflammatory), a spoon of pumpkin powder (good for digestion), or a scoop of collagen powder for joint support.
- Diet-Friendly Tips:
- For grain-free, sub in almond flour.
- For low-fat, skip the sugar and add mashed banana.
- Meal Pairing: These treats go great with, well… any meal your dog eats. But they’re perfect for after-walk rewards or as stocking stuffers on Christmas morning.
- Cooking Efficiency: If baking in bulk, roll the dough out all at once and use multiple baking trays. Freeze the dough in pre-cut shapes to bake fresh later.
FAQ
Can I use fresh spinach instead of powder? You can, but you’ll need to refrigerate the jar and use it sooner since fresh ingredients can spoil. If you’re gifting, stick with powder.
Are these safe for all dog breeds? The ingredients are generally safe, but again, check with your vet if your dog has any allergies or conditions.
Can I make these gluten-free? Totally! Use oat flour or a gluten-free flour blend. Just don’t use anything with xylitol or artificial sweeteners, which are toxic to dogs.
What if I don’t have a cookie cutter? No worries. Just slice the dough into little squares or rounds. Your dog won’t care about the shape, promise.
Wrap Up
Alright, so there you have it. One adorable, homemade, holiday-perfect dog treat jar that your pup (or your friend’s pup) is going to absolutely love.
And the best part? You made it yourself. You showed up with a gift that’s thoughtful, actually useful, and filled with love. That’s honestly the best kind of gift, isn’t it?
If you try this out, I’d LOVE to hear how it went! Did your dog inhale the treats in two seconds? Did you end up making a dozen and giving them to all your dog-parent friends? Let me know in the comments—or ask me anything if you’ve got questions or fun twists to add.
