Apple and Blueberry Christmas Bone Treats for Dogs: The Ultimate Holiday Gift for Your Pup

The holiday season is a time for family, feasting, and showing appreciation for the ones we love—and that absolutely includes our four-legged family members. While we indulge in cookies and cakes, it’s only fair that Fido gets a special something too. Enter these Apple and Blueberry Christmas Bone Treats. Not only are they adorable with their festive purple marble glaze, but they are also packed with healthy, dog-safe ingredients that you can feel good about feeding to your best friend.

Store-bought treats are convenient, but they often contain preservatives, fillers, and artificial colors that many pet owners try to avoid. Making your own dog biscuits at home allows you to control exactly what goes into your dog’s tummy. Plus, the smell of baking apples and oats will make your kitchen smell incredible. These treats combine the fiber-rich goodness of apples with the antioxidant power of blueberries, all wrapped up in a crunchy oat biscuit that helps clean teeth.

The real showstopper here is the icing. It looks like a high-end bakery creation, but it’s actually incredibly easy to achieve using dog-friendly yogurt and natural coloring from the fruit itself. Whether you are stuffing a stocking for your own pup or baking a batch for the neighborhood dogs, these marbled bones are guaranteed to get tails wagging.

Why Blueberries and Apples?

Before we dive into the baking, let’s talk about why these specific fruits are excellent choices for canine snacks.

• Blueberries: Often called a “superfood” for humans, blueberries are just as great for dogs. They are low in calories but high in Vitamin C, fiber, and phytochemicals (antioxidants). The deep purple color in these treats comes naturally from the berries, meaning no artificial dyes are needed.
• Apples: Apples provide a wonderful source of Vitamin A and C, as well as dietary fiber. They help freshen doggy breath and clean residue off teeth. Note: Always ensure you remove the core and seeds before using apples, as apple seeds contain small amounts of cyanide which can be harmful in large quantities.

Ingredients Breakdown

You likely have most of these ingredients in your pantry already. Here is what you need to make these gourmet dog bones:

For the Biscuits

• Whole Wheat Flour (2.5 cups): Provides the structure. If your dog has a wheat sensitivity, you can substitute oat flour or brown rice flour.
• Rolled Oats (0.5 cup): Adds a nice crunch and extra fiber for digestion.
• Apple (1 large): Peeled, cored, and grated. This adds moisture and sweetness.
• Fresh Blueberries (0.5 cup): Mashed or pureed. This infuses the biscuit with flavor.
• Egg (1 large): Acts as the binder to hold the dough together.
• Coconut Oil (2 tbsp): Great for a shiny coat and healthy skin.
• Water or Bone Broth: Use as needed to adjust the dough consistency.

For the Marbled Icing

• Greek Yogurt or Dog-Safe White Icing Mix: Plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt is safe for most dogs in small amounts and dries relatively hard if mixed with a little tapioca starch. Alternatively, you can melt yogurt drops made specifically for dogs.
• Blueberry Juice/Puree: To dye half of the icing purple naturally.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven and Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Grate your apple (remember to discard the core and seeds) and mash your blueberries.

2. Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, combine the flour and rolled oats. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and melted coconut oil together. Add the grated apple and mashed blueberries to the wet mixture. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms. If the mixture is too dry and crumbly, add water one tablespoon at a time. If it is too wet, add a sprinkle more flour. You want a dough that is firm and rollable, similar to sugar cookie dough.

3. Roll and Cut

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a bone-shaped cookie cutter to cut out your treats. Re-roll the scraps and continue cutting until all dough is used. Place the bones on the prepared baking sheets.

4. Bake

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the treats are golden brown and hard to the touch. If you want them extra crunchy (which is good for shelf life), turn the oven off after baking and leave the treats inside as the oven cools down. This dries them out further.

5. Create the Marbled Icing

While the treats cool completely, prepare your icing. Divide your yogurt or melted yogurt drops into two small bowls. Keep one white. In the second bowl, mix in a teaspoon of concentrated blueberry juice (you can get this by microwaving a few frozen berries and squeezing the juice out) or a natural dog-safe purple food coloring. Mix until you have a vibrant purple.

6. The Dip and Swirl

Take a spoonful of the purple icing and drizzle it randomly over the bowl of white icing. Do not mix it in fully! You want distinct streaks. Take a cooled bone treat and dip the face of it flat onto the surface of the icing. Lift it straight up and give it a little shake to let excess drip off. You should have a beautiful marble pattern. Place on a wire rack to set.

Tips for the Perfect Treat

Dough Consistency:
Fruit contains water, and the amount can vary. If your apples are very juicy, you might need less water. Always start with the dry ingredients and add liquid slowly.

Hard vs. Soft Treats:
The baking time listed produces a crunchy biscuit. If your dog is older or has dental issues, you can bake them for about 20 minutes for a softer, chewier cookie. However, soft treats must be stored in the fridge and eaten within a few days.

The Icing:
If you are using plain yogurt for icing, it will not harden like royal icing. It will stay somewhat tacky. If you want a hard shell that you can stack in a jar, I highly recommend buying “yogurt chips” or “carob chips” meant for dogs and melting them down, or mixing your yogurt with a bit of cornstarch or tapioca flour to help it set.

Storage and Shelf Life

Because these treats contain fresh fruit and no artificial preservatives, they don’t last as long as the store-bought box.

• Room Temperature: If baked until very dry and crisp, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• Refrigerator: This is the best option for these fruit-based treats. They will stay fresh for up to 2-3 weeks in the fridge.
• Freezer: You can freeze the baked (un-iced) biscuits for up to 3 months. Thaw them and ice them fresh when you are ready to gift them.

Fun Variations

Grain-Free Option:
Swap the whole wheat flour for coconut flour or chickpea flour. Keep in mind coconut flour absorbs much more moisture, so you will need to reduce the flour amount by about half and increase the liquid/eggs.

Minty Fresh:
Add a tablespoon of chopped fresh mint or parsley to the dough. This pairs surprisingly well with the apple and helps combat doggy breath.

Pumpkin Twist:
Swap the applesauce for pure pumpkin puree for an autumn version of this recipe. The orange pumpkin contrasts beautifully with the purple blueberry icing.

Gifting Ideas

These bones make spectacular gifts for friends with pets. To package them:

• Stack 3 or 4 bones and tie them with a festive red ribbon.
• Place them in a clear cellophane bag with a custom tag listing the ingredients (helpful for dogs with allergies).
• Put them in a mason jar with a piece of fabric covering the lid.

Making your own dog treats is a rewarding way to bond with your pet and ensure they are eating healthy, wholesome food. These Apple and Blueberry Christmas Bones look professional but are simple enough for a beginner baker. Your dog will thank you!