This whole thing started out simply enough. I blame it all on the Zoku, that instant popsicle maker that I finally broke down and ordered last week after coveting it for the good part of a year.
So I got one last week, and I’ve been making all sorts of frozen treats: orange pops, mango pops, peanut butter banana pops, and, once I started thinking about it with a little more creativity, margarita pops. And that got me thinking: why not make some for the dogs while I’m at it? After all, we made a homemade version of Frosty Paws last year with good success.
But there is one problem: the Zoku requires the use of their plastic pop holders. This is not a problem for people or even really ravenous kids, but when you’ve got a gulper like Koa or a chewer like Brody sampling the wares, it wasn’t going to work.
Nevertheless, I was now on a popsicle kick, and Zoku or no Zoku, the dogs were getting pupsicles. So we went back to the beginning, improving on last year’s experiment and adding a little extra oomph.
The basic ingredients are the same: yogurt, peanut butter, bananas. I had a few other things I ended up using as well, but those are optional.
I used about 1/2 cup of yogurt, 1/2 a banana, 1 tbsp of peanut butter, and then I drizzled in a little milk just to thin it out. All mushed up in the blender, then divided between 2 Dixie cups.
Now, you could stop there and be done. But of course I had been spending the last 48 hours reading elaborate popsicle recipes, so I actually just filled the cups halfway, then froze them for 4 hours.
Then we got fancy.
Coconut, because it looks pretty. Also because I have a big bag of shredded coconut that no one in the house likes, and it beats throwing it away.
Then the leftover yogurt mix went back into the blender with a teaspoon of carob powder. I tasted it. It was actually pretty good.
Then we went old-school, since I couldn’t use the fancy Zoku setup. I put a piece of Saran Wrap over the Dixie cup, secured it with a rubber band, then stuck a little piece of a sweet potato chew in the middle to act as a stick.
You could do that all in one step, but in this case I waited until the first layer was frozen so the stick was only in there halfway.
I think they turned out lovely, if I do say so myself. Eat your heart out, Giada.
The dogs knew something was up. They hung around me for three hours straight. It’s like they knew they were for them. Maybe it was the coconut that gave it away. Despite this, they were still able to manage a short sit/stay for photos.
Given the pops’ short but well appreciated time on this planet, I would say it was a good thing I didn’t include the plastic stick in there. It was just enough to stop Koa from swallowing it all in one piece. Brody did slightly better, though his ability to slow down and savor the flavor profile could also use some work.
<3 <3 <3!
I wonder if I could make a cat version? Always thought provoking, Dr. V!
I wonder if dogs can get brain freeze. 🙂 Did either of them display symptoms?
Where do you get the sweet potato stix?
They sound great. I think I’m going to try and make some for my dogs as well. Can 10 week old puppies have them too? I’m glad you said about not using the Zoku because I would have been upset when they chewed my sticks 😉
10 weeks might be a tad young, depending on how their tummies are. A little frozen canned puppy food in a Kong might be better if they are bitty pups.
Awesome! Clyde LOVES sweet potato sticks and yogurt and peanut butter, so I know he would be one happy dog if I made these! Now I want a Zoku as well. You know, I’m really going to have to make an excel spreadsheet to track the amount of money I spend as a result of reading your blog. 🙂 Honestly, you feature the coolest things!
Oh, and I love how Brody is sticking his tongue out at you in the top pic and Koa is leaning forward in anticipation in the second one. Too cute!
i’m definitely going to be making these for Toby’s doggie birthday party next month!!!! Awesome!
This is great! I can’t wait to try this.
Those are some well behave pups! Ha, now I’m craving popsicles!
Excellent! I will have to make these for Finn’s Birthday this year.
So creative and beautiful presentation! I will defiantly have to give this a try this summer!
I want to be your dog in my next life ;o) Glad Brody and Koa appreciated all your hard work.
Those sound great! I know my Gilbert would love them. A young girl was selling popsicles for dogs at my local dog park, which gave me the idea to make some for Gil. Just put chicken broth and some small biscuits in a dixie cup and freeze. Gilbert loved chewing on the ice and I’m sure it was refreshing on a hot day. And not very much work at all. I should put some in the freezer now.
The sweet potato “stick” is a great idea. I made the homemade frosty paws for a standard poodle party last year. 10 individual servings-using dixie cups. Epic fail. Some dogs refused them totally, some gave the treat one lick and then walked off. I like Julie’s idea. Dare I attempt another homemade dog treat?
Is it bad that I want some of these for humans? 🙂
Dogs2Mogs says: These treats look scrummy:)
My dogs love doggie ice-cream. I usually use the Hub Pages recipe, http://brettwinn.hubpages.com/hub/Homemade-Frozen-Dog-Treats … but am going to be trying this one, possibly today!