Rovers Rewards

Your dog deserves better than whatever’s in that store-bought bag. These homemade dog treats are made with whole wheat flour, powdered milk, and egg, baked low and slow until they’re rock-hard and perfect for chewing.

The dough is meant to be stiff. Really stiff. You’re kneading it for a solid 3 to 4 minutes and adding flour until it barely gives under your hands. That density is the point. These aren’t meant to be soft cookies. They bake for nearly an hour, then cool and dry out until they snap cleanly. That crunch is what dogs go wild for and it helps clean their teeth too.

Using hot meat juices instead of plain water is a pro move if you have leftover drippings from roasting. It adds a savory scent that will have your pup sitting pretty before you even reach for the treat jar.

Kitchen Tips

• The dough won’t rise so you can place the cut-outs right next to each other on the baking sheet. No spacing needed.
• An air bake pan works best. The insulated bottom prevents the undersides from over-browning during the long bake time.
• Let them cool completely on a brown paper bag or wire rack. They’ll continue to harden as they cool. If they still feel soft in the center, pop them back in the turned-off oven to dry out.
• Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks, or freeze for months. The low moisture content keeps them shelf-stable.

Variations

• Peanut butter version: Add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened peanut butter to the dough for a flavor dogs absolutely lose their minds over.
• Bacon biscuits: Replace the water with bacon drippings and a splash of water for irresistible smoky treats.