It's not often I find myself drooling over homemade dog food recipes. But with names such as "cheddar lover's biscuits" and "banana ice cream," I was as tempted to try the recipes in the updated "Doggy Desserts" cookbook as was my furry little man, Welles, and his tail-wagging friends.
The recipes in the book, by Cheryl Gianfrancesco, were inspired by her dog, Kooper, who was ill as a young pup and was put on a strict diet that excluded store-bought food. Gianfrancesco came up with the treats as a way to spoil her dog, and "Doggy Desserts" was born.
The new edition contains a whopping 125 recipes sorted by type of treat, along with helpful information about ingredients harmful to dogs. There is an emphasis on using ingredients that are healthful and natural.
It's hard to remember that this is a cookbook for dogs. The photography is gorgeous, and the recipes, with just a few exceptions, call for common supermarket staples.
I tested _ and tasted _ both the peanut butter muffins (find the recipe online at latimes.com/pets) and cheese cake. Although I found them a bit bland (the recipes are light on sweeteners and contain no added salt), my dog and his pals couldn't get enough of them.
The strawberry frost _ a smoothie-like dessert containing strawberries, yogurt, honey and a touch of vanilla _ is one treat I'll be making for the whole family, both four- and two-legged.
