Monday, May 27, 2013

pumpkin frosty paws

My pups love ice cubes. We've managed to convince them that an ice cube is an amazing treat, and a special one at that. In the morning, when making my iced coffee, the pups all run to the freezer when they hear the sound of the cubes knocking together. Any time Ed makes a drink after work, the know instinctively that good things are coming. That's why I used to want to buy Frosty Paws for them, but they are so chock full of things that are TERRIBLE for dogs- like lots of soy, refined sugars and cellulose. These are so easy to make, cheaper than the 4 pack of Frosty Paws, and you know exactly what's in them. What's more, is that throughout the summer, you can switch up the flavor with minimal effort.
 I made enough of this stuff to fill 2 ice cube trays, but you can always cut the recipe in half. This version is with vanilla yogurt, honey, bananas, cinnamon and pumpkin.
It's going to be the tinsiest bit chunky, because the bananas don't puree completely with a hand mixer, but that's totally fine. Gives the cubes a little consistency.
I specifically bought these silicone ice cube trays to make the frosty paws because they are super easy to break individual cubes out. It was 5 bucks for the both of them at a Kitchen Collection store and they are perfect.
Spoon that good stuff into the tray and give them a whap or two down onto the counter to level them out and push out any air bubbles. Then run your finger along the divisions on the ice cube tray so that when it freezes, none of the cubes are attached together.
Pop them into the freezer and just a few hours later, this is what you get. Delicious little nuggets of wholesome doggies goodness. Make sure that you keep them frozen just up until the point that you want to treat your pups.
Radar approves! Make sure that you are around the first time your pets eat these, because eat dog is different. While Radar actually licks his (like you're supposed to) Link chomps his like a regular treat and Nora eats hers so fast we have to hold it in our hands for a minute or two so she actually licks it first. But each one of the LOVES these little things, and I'm sure your fur babies will too!

Pumpkin Frosty Paws
2 bananas
2 Tablespoons peanut butter
2 Tablespoons honey
4 Tablespoons pumpkin
24 ounces fat free vanilla yogurt
1 teaspoon cinnamon

In a mixing bowl, combine all of the above ingredients. Puree with a hand mixer until the banana is in fine chunks. Spoon the puree into ice cube trays until just full. Tap trays on the counter to remove any air bubbles and to smooth out the surface. Put trays into the ice box and freeze for several hours or until completely set. Keep frozen until time to enjoy!

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