Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Treats

I found this absolutely adorable dog photo via pinterest and at first glance I thought it was just that...an adorable dog picture.  

Source: userealbutter.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Then I clicked on the pic thinking it might take me to more adorable dog photos but it was even better...a super easy dog treat recipe! 

Half of a recipe being easy for me is that I don't have to travel to the grocery store to buy any of the ingredients.  However, I had just run out of all my pumpkin puree so I did in fact need to run to the store, but it was worth it in the end because let me tell you...my pup is one piccccky eater and she LOVED her homemade treats.  

"I'm a picky eater"

As a puppy (which I like to think she still is) we went through 5-6 different kinds of dog food till we found the one she actually liked, Science Diet it is!  She's never been food motivated so it's kinda difficult when you go out and buy treats thinking, Oh yea, she'll definitely like these...just to get the reaction of an ungrateful child ;-) She'll literally spit them out before you! We have a whole Costco sized bag of Beggin' Strips just waiting to be devoured because apparently Sophie's refined palate prefers Milo's sausages instead.  

Anyhoo, knowing Sophie does actually enjoy herself some pumpkin and peanut butter I was all over this recipe by Use Real Butter.  

The ingredients are so simple: 2.5 cups whole wheat flour (I chose whole grain), 2 eggs, 2/3 cup pumpkin puree, and 3 tbsp. peanut butter. 

Mix it all up in a stand-up mixer with paddle attachment on medium for a minute.

Ball up dough on a floured surface.  

Use a roller to flatten it out to 1/4 inch. 

I chose a dog bone cookie cutter but whatever suits your fancy.  

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.  I baked for 30 for a crunchier cookie.  

Let them cool for a bit and then onward to the taste test...

It was as if Sophie knew I was baking something for her, she usually just does her own thing while I'm in the kitchen.  This time...she kept coming in to check on things ;-)  

"Mama, are they ready yet?" 

 "I'm being a good girl and waiting" 

 The first bite...not a gentle one at all ;-) 

 She loved every bit of it!

What you don't see here is that later we heard something in the kitchen and Sophie...no where to be found.  I go into the kitchen and I see a half eaten cookie on the ground as she's devouring the other half!

She had stolen 2 cookies off the cooling rack!! Thought she'd help herself to a couple more.  I couldn't believe it.  

Well, we now know she has a new favorite treat :-)

The Macaroon Squabble

I'm not really sure I can call myself a baker, although I think my boyfriend would beg to differ. I think he seems to enjoy anything that comes out of the oven that is made by me. But I must tell you, I don't cook...I bake.

Baking to me is instant gratification and involves a much more fun outcome...always something sweet and the baker always gets to lick the bowl ;-)

I wouldn't call myself a baker as I'm no expert on the terminology or such things as Dacquoise, Foam Cakes, a Charlotte dessert, or Boiled Icing.

And...I've always been a bit perplexed with what the heck a macaroon is! I've eaten (or rather, devoured) my fair share of coconut macaroons and I've seen the cutest whoopie pie/Oreo cookie looking French macaroons. But really, what's behind the "macaroon" because a coconut and french macaroon look nothing alike?

Well, according to Dictionary.com, a macaroon is, "a drop cookie made of egg whites, sugar, usually almond paste or coconut, and sometimes a little flour."

And according to wikipedia, "A macaroon (/mækəˈruːn/ mak-ə-ROON }}) is a type of light, baked confection, described as either small cakes or meringue-like cookies depending on their consistency. The original macaroon was a "small sweet cake consisting largely of ground almonds"^[1] similar to Italian or Moroccan amaretti."

Here (so we all have a visual) is an actual Lemon Meringue Tart courtesy of H Cakes.

By searching Google Images, I noticed Lauduree has to be THE expert when it comes to French Macaroons. As you can see below is the Laduree storefront captured by Moodboard

And their macaroons are absolutely adorable...

Courtesy of: Miss Francy Pants' Blog

Because the coconut macaroon is one of my favorite treats, I was intrigued to try my hand at making them. How hard could it be, right?

This is definitely something I will have to perfect because although the taste was fantastic...it's really all about the presentation, and that is where I came up lacking.

So with some practice, I'm sure to perfect the coconut macaroon. Until then, here is what I imagined mine to look something like...

Courtesy Of: About-recipes.com

In the process of making coconut macaroons, I've learned what exactly they are, and I can now say I know what Dacquoise, Foam Cakes, Charlotte style desserts, and Boiled Icing are!

And all in all, my biggest fan seemed to like what came out of the oven, and that's pretty much all that mattered.