On Tuesday, March 14, we will be celebrating Pi Day. We have devised some ideas for a dog-friendly pi day with scrumptious methods for you and your four-legged friend.
This recipe is an adaptation of the one found on Gone to the Snow Dogs’ website. Homemade Apple Pie for Dogs. We have included a number of alternative filling options for you to choose from.
These options contain a limited number of ingredients and are sure to encourage your dog to participate in Pi Day festivities on an annual basis.
You can prepare these pies in small pie pans and cut them into slices for your dogs, or you can try making individual pies by using smaller tins that are about 2-3 inches in diameter.
A helpful hint: cupcake pans are the perfect size for making pies, but they require a lot of greasing to ensure that the pies come out easily.
Cupcake liners made of silicone are another option that perform admirably.
Baking Supplies
– Molds for pies, cupcakes, and muffins also available.
– Equipment: rolling pin More flour for coating the rolling pin Dough knife
– Tiny bowl
– Whisk
Components of the Crust
– ½ cup coconut oil (melted)
– 1 cup canned coconut milk (unsweetened)
– 2 and 34 cups of whole wheat flour
To make the pie crust, combine all of the ingredients for the pie crust in a large mixing bowl and stir until a good dough that is not too sticky is formed.
If it is too sticky, add one tablespoon of additional flour at a time until you achieve the desired consistency.
Use your rolling pin to lay out the dough to a thickness of about 14 inch, and then cut it into pieces that will fit into your tins.
Keep in mind that you want the dough to go up the edges of the pie tin in order to create an attractive bowl for the filling.
Using pressure with your thumb, press the dough up the sides of the tin and smooth it out.
Apple Pie Filling:
– 3 cups of apples that have been peeled, cored, and sliced (make sure to remove all stems and seeds)
– 2 and a half-thirds cups of apple juice (plain, unsweetened)
– 1 level tablespoon of cornstarch
– 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
To prepare the filling, place the apples and 2 tablespoons of apple juice in a pot and cook over low heat until the apples are cooked. This will complete the filling.
The cornstarch, cinnamon, and the remaining apple juice should be mixed together in a small dish using a whisk until thoroughly blended. The mixture should then be poured into the apples that have been softened and let to cook for an additional 10 minutes to thicken.
After allowing it to cool, place a few spoonfuls into each of the pie crusts.
You could opt to just have open-face pies, or you could use the scraps of dough to create a lattice design on top of the pie. Both options are available to you.
Your pies should be baked at 350 degrees for 25-45 minutes (you should start at the lower end of the time range for smaller pies to ensure they don’t burn!).
You want the tops to have a little bit of a brown color.
Wait until it has cooled down before giving it to your canine companions.
Alternate Pie Fillings:
Peanut Butter Banana Pie
1 ½ ripe bananas\s ¾ cup peanut butter (search for a brand that is simply peanuts with no extra sweeteners or sugar substitutes) (look for a brand that is simply peanuts with no added sugars or sugar alternatives)
Start by baking your pie dough according to the directions given above (350 degrees for 25-45 minutes until browned).
Wait until the filling has cooled down before adding it.
Make the filling by mashing the banana with a fork, then adding the peanut butter and thoroughly combining the two ingredients.
Fill the pie crusts with the mixture, then place them in the freezer for an hour before giving them to your dog.
Pumpkin Pie
Pure pumpkin canned in a 16-ounce can (just pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling which has other ingredients including sugar)
½ ripe banana
1/3 cup of plain Greek yogurt, either low-fat or non-fat.
Start by baking your pie dough according to the directions given above (350 degrees for 25-45 minutes until browned).
Wait until the filling has cooled down before adding it.
First, use a fork to mash the banana, and then add the can of pumpkin puree and the Greek yogurt to the mashed banana.
After thoroughly combining all of the ingredients, stir until the mixture is ready to be poured into the pie crusts.
Put the dish in the freezer for an hour before giving it to your dog.
Blueberry Pie
2 measuring cups worth of blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 half tablespoon of honey
1 level teaspoon of cornstarch
1/2 milligram of cinnamon
You should start by preparing your crust, but you shouldn’t bake it just yet because you’ll be baking it together with the filling later (just like the apple pie option).
In order to make this filling, place your blueberries and honey in a small pot and heat them on the stove over a medium-low setting.
When the berries show signs of beginning to break down, add the cornstarch and cinnamon to the pot.
After removing from the heat, ladle the filling into the prepared pie crust.
Bake until browned, ranging from 25 to 45 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (lower end for mini pies).
Wait till it’s cooled down before giving it to your dog!
These pies make for a great, Dog-Friendly Pi Day!